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Mooneyes 31st Annual Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show
aerial view of the Pacifico Exhibition Center
Showcasing Plenty of Blazing Classic Trucks!
By Rob Fortier Images by Eric Geisert
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ince 1999, one of the most anticipated shows that I’ve had the honor of attending has taken place 5,500 miles away from my doorstep—Yokohama, Japan—for the annual Mooneyes Hot Rod Custom Show (MHRCS) at the spacious Pacifico Exhibition Center adjacent to the amazing Hotel InterContinental. While I haven’t been every single year since my first visit nearly a quarter century ago, I have been fortunate enough to have experienced quite a few MHRCS in person—each one curated by the man behind the Moon(eyes), Shige Suganuma, with special exhibits/guests from around the world.

banner at the Mooneyes Hot Rod Custom Show
The one year I was not able to make it—this past year—just happened to be the year Shige dedicated the MHRCS to, what else, classic trucks, with not only a huge gathering of fullsize imports (domestic trucks to us!), but a nice array of mini-trucks (domestics to them) and utility vehicles. “Plenty of Blazing Classic Trucks,” as it was aptly named, featured just that as the 2023 event’s Car Show Spotlight.

In my absence, my good friend and fellow Japanese traveling companion, Danny Takahashi, did the honor of selecting the Classic Truck Performance Magazine Pick, which went to Hiroki Hosoda from Square Kustoms with his beautiful Chevy Apache big-window Stepside (which also took home Best Truck from the display!), while CTP contributor Eric Geisert was kind enough to get us coverage from the event for you all to get a small sample of what I missed out on! Enjoy for now … I’ll be back for Shizukani (Be Calm & Not Loud, as they profess!) next year!

aerial view of inside the Pacifico Exhibition Center
3/4 view of a truck at the Mooneyes Hot Rod Custom Show
lime green truck 3/4 view
figurine of a green rat with a human mask
two men wearing suits with the Mooneyes logo
car with a motorbike attached to the back
3/4 view of purple truck
3/4 view of two red trucks
side view of red truck
3/4 view of silver truck with hood and doors open
3/4 view of white truck with hood open
man wearing Mooneyes shirt drawing
brown Dodge truck with car frame on back
light butterscotch colored truck with awards beside it
3/4 view of silver truck
3/4 view of lime green truck
3/4 view of orange truck with cream-colored detailing
3/4 view of lime green Chevrolet truck from rear
3/4 view of orange truck from rear
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