This one's from my photo archives that I had completely forgotten about since September 2024, but glad I managed rescued them from my archives. I'm not really a hardcore car enthusiast, but I do appreciate that Northern Ireland has a huge modified car scene. I tend to prefer rallying, especially the older classics such as Escorts (MK1 and MK2). Going to Omagh Autofest definitely did open up my eyes. The show welcomes pretty much anything with an engine, with enough diversity to satisfy most tastes. Plenty of photographic opportunities awaited.

For some, the engines are the seat of power and rule supreme; for others it is the body looks. At the Autofest, proof was on display that form and function were equally important in the pursuit of motoring perfection and pride. There were simply too many vehicles to feature here, so I've picked a few things that really caught my eye.

Starting with engines, I simply didn't think before that they could be works of art and engineering. Volkswagens, especially Golfs powered by the popular 1.9 TDI diesel engine are a common sight on Northern Ireland roads, but not all of them with engines like these.

Nothing much as standard here .... look at the custom metalwork on the above example leading to a huge air filter and also what I assume is down to an intercooler (didn't look). Obviously no room here for the plastic cover that would normally sit on top of the engine to keep things 'tidy' looking. It's all on display here.

But for a more hard core look .... you have to consider the following as being right up there:

The eye for detail is amazing, from the intricate detail of the pipe work, down to the anodised cylinder head - you could look at this engine for ages. How much power does it have? How much did that set the owner back? Does that pipe really go through the bonnet? A lot of questions that many people have considered while gazing at this mad creation. Somehow I don't think fuel economy figures high on the owner's agenda.

Heavily modified (some more than others) Japanese 'imports' were a real crowd pleaser judging by the number of people gazing and taking photos. Take a look at this wee gem with a cute face... perfect for a spot of drifting (look at the turned out wheels):

It was definitely very much a 'show n shine' event, even though the weather could have been a bit kinder to make the cars dazzle even more.

Another fine example of a heavily customised Japanese import - this time a Toyota. You can tell this car definitely has been driven .... a few battle scars on the front bumper that just add a bit more character. The owner really has gone to town on the paint work in the engine bay.

The Autofest certainly didn't disappoint rally fans, especially those who can remember how Lancia dominated in the period after the demise of the Group B era. A stunning example of such a period appears in the form of a Delta Integrale, where Lancia won 6 consecutive world championship constructor titles between 1987 and 1992.

Although Ford was the last manufacturer to have won a WRC constructor's title in the two wheel drive era, their Mark 2 Escorts simply didn't look like the example below. It would certainly divide opinion in terms of being faithful to the original. While I don't really like the engine cover, the rest of the car is stunning - the huge radiator with cut-outs in the body work for the pipes, the grill, the space age twin headlights and the amazing paint job.

On the theme of modern interpretations of an old classic, perhaps you 'need' something more like a pickup like this beautiful Chevrolet? Just look at the stunning paint work, the dazzling chrome a plenty, and the alloy wheels that temp you into figuring out as to what sort of mechanical monster lies under the bonnet.

Going back to the VW brand .... how about this simply beautiful Beetle - great for people who want something classic and reserved.

There were simply TOO many vehicles on display to show here. I definitely have to go back again, now that I've got a better idea on how to take photos of cars.