The car customization scene in Thailand is huge. It's said that in Thailand more replica and aftermarket car parts are made than anywhere else. Anything from the smallest accessories under the hood, in the cockpit, around the car, to large parts all the way to complete body panels, body kits, and more. Exhausts, suspension, brakes, engine hoses, turbo upgrades, entertainment systems, racing seats - the list is very long indeed. Almost any part of the car imaginable can be replaced with some alternative or replica upgrade.
Driving this market is the accessibility to the global car market is limited in Thailand. Many of the major manufactures (Japanese brands especially) have factories in Thailand. However it's the high end models such as Honda Type-R's which are only made in Japan, so would be subject to the 200% importation taxes. It's the same for any model of car which needs to be imported, for example BMW M performance cars. What this means is the customizing scene steps in, instead by modifying the cheaper cars available in the domestic market to result in replica or unique one-offs. In this manner, someone can still make their 'dream car', or replicate the overseas model all for a lot less outlay than the import. In the end, you see lots of modified cars for this reason. It creates a whole lot more options and 'bang for your buck' by going it local and rolling-your-own modifications, than having to deal with the huge import taxes. Two Honda's of Chonburi streets today will show some of what we mean about going all in on the modifications!
Let's take a look around these fabulous Honda's which were both made locally here in Chonburi, Thailand.
Air Suspension Civic Si
Going all out for looks and aggression, this bright almost fluorescent yellow Honda was parked up at the local gas station. So I just pulled out my phone and started shooting. I like this angle from low down, it really shows off the stance of the car. Here it's been dropped on the deck using air suspension, which means it can be raised and lowered from a switch inside the car.
Air suspension Honda Civic
This made a great side view, and I really liked the look of the coffee shop sign, but a shame about the other cars in the background which distract from the main subject. Sometimes we have to look for the best composition when shooting this way. It was just a spontaneous shoot - the owner didn't approach, however by parking here it was fair game for me to get these photos. Often they'll stick their own Instagram profile name on the car also, when that happens I will greet and share my shots with them there.
Quad tail pipes and a crazy DTM style rear wing. Why not? This is one very jolly fun and good looking car, if a little loud for some tastes.
Loud and proud - if you got it, flaunt it
Bounce would apparently then be some brand or local shop for getting these air suspension systems. Check out that spoiler also - the land of the rising sun sticker is a nice little detail.
It's only possible to go so low whilst parked, and thanks to having an air suspension setup (hence the 'BOUNCE' stickers shouting all about it around the car).
Very clean looking simple white 5-spoke wheels house some custom after-market brakes. Closer up some of the dings and scrapes of the bodywork can be made out, however it doesn't distract from the overall presence of this quite wild Honda Civic Si.
This was my favorite shot, I like to have the 7-Eleven in the background as it gives some context and pairs up with the colors on the car well.
Air suspension makes for great posing
Honda Jazz
The Jazz is considered as a young person's car in Asia, popular and trendy, and in the West, it's considered an old persons or granny car. So funny how one car has two utterly different images depending where you are. Also sometimes called the Honda Fit, the Jazz is a small affordable and practical hatchback. Unless you've done all the following to it that is ...
The design is so similar that they could have come from the same shop, although I believe this to just be a coincidence. The yellow/black combo with white wheels is not unusual, and became even more popular after the 'Bumblebee' robot car in the Transformers movies.
In a similar bright yellow with white wheels
This was one ride we were lucky enough to catch the owner, and get his Instagram. Pasin Moo (his name) has some sick taste when it comes to making a Honda Jazz super funky and custom style like this. There is an extensive use of racing parts, note all the extra rollcage and strut work reinforcing the shell, and the racing style seats with Takata harnesses. The rest of the interior is completely stripped out. No carpets, no soundproofing. Just lots of added lightness and stiffness. I bet it's a hoot to drive - perhaps if I see him again soon (with easing of restrictions) I can even get him to take me for a quick spin. I've seen him and the car go by me since, so I'm sure we can bump into him again at some point.
Expect more like this over the coming months, Thai custom cars are going to feature heavily in this website and blog!
Some very upright and race car style seating, and note the manual gearbox with aftermarket stick.
On the dashboard, lots of after market dials and the quick release steering hub just like a race car. The main dashboard and controls seem to have been spared, so it's still a normal road car to drive also.
Quick release wheel - because race car
Peering into the back where the rear seating used to be. There's some really sweet metalwork, struts everywhere which aim to stiffen up the entire car shell so it will handle better on a race track (i.e. where the conditions allow).
Sorry, no room for passengers
A look in the back of the Honda Jazz
In the engine bay I believe things have been left fairly standard, the emphasis is all on the interior and bodywork. However the modifications aren't merely visual, the struts and roll cage bracing all looked very much functional.
It's always great when I find these custom tuner cars out and about, stay posted and follow for more coming soon!
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