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Earlier within the week we took a take a look at the 2023 Wekfest Los Angeles occasion courtesy of David Morales by way of our IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER programme. This 12 months, Wekfest founder Kenneth Li and his crew rejoice 15 years of occasions – a formidable milestone that speaks to the eagerness behind them.
10 years in the past, the Wekfest LA occasion was held open air in Lengthy Seaside, California, and Speedhunters OG Mike Garrett was current to seize the spectacle. How did the occasion look in 2013? Let’s rewind and have a look for this week’s Throwback Thursday put up…
2013 Function
This previous Saturday I discovered myself at Queen Mary Occasions Middle in Lengthy Seaside for the second time this month – it was just some weeks in the past that I ventured to this spot for Toyotafest, and this weekend I used to be again for Wekfest LA. I’m not complaining after all, as a result of the oceanfront park within the LBC is without doubt one of the nicer automotive present venues I’ve ever been to. How will you not like cool sea breezes, the backdrop of downtown Lengthy Seaside and a few of SoCal’s best import vehicles.
I’m guessing most of you guys are already accustomed to Wekfest – the occasion that began as a humble gathering within the San Francisco Bay Space after which expanded right into a travelling collection with occasions on each coasts of the USA and even Hawaii. There’s even phrase that Wekfest will unfold all the best way to Japan in 2014.
And whereas Northern California is likely to be the birthplace of Wekfest, the occasion has additionally discovered a welcome dwelling in sunny Southern California. For this 12 months, Wekfest LA returned to the Queen Mary over the Memorial Day vacation weekend for an additional large and profitable gathering.
The climate in Lengthy Seaside over the weekend was image excellent, with temperatures round 72 levels F and delightful sunny skies. In different phrases, the form of stuff that makes individuals from all world wide envy Southern California.
To be trustworthy, I nonetheless can’t fairly put my determine on precisely what it’s that’s made Wekfest so profitable, however the best way these occasions have grown over the previous couple of years is just unbelievable. Not solely have been the Lengthy Seaside showgrounds packed to capability with vehicles, however the line of spectators ready to get in appeared to stretch on endlessly.
I do know that Wekfest has established itself for having a really top quality choice of vehicles. Whereas I can’t say that I personally beloved the type of each single automotive within the present, there have been actually no ‘half ass’ vehicles on the occasion. That’s one thing to understand these days.
One other beauty of Wekfest is the number of vehicles that participate within the occasion. Whereas it’s not restricted to anybody sure style, Wekfest is made up largely of late mannequin Japanese and European vehicles…
… and inside that group, you’ll discover nearly each type possible. There are purposeful monitor vehicles, loopy stanced machines, VIP sedans and vans, drift vehicles, excessive finish Euro automobiles and nearly all the things else. Greater than something, Wekfest is a spot the place you’ll be able to actually discover the heart beat of the import group.
That’s to not say there aren’t outliers although. In a single nook of the present I got here throughout a pair of tough-looking Chevy muscle vehicles, together with this Chevelle on CCW wheels. This factor additionally popped up throughout Taryn’s protection of the Slammed Society present final month.
One other acquainted automotive that made an look at Wekfest was Mike Mao’s very distinct Acura NSX. In case you someway missed it, ensure you take a look at the function Sean and I did on this one in all a sort machine.
Being Southern California, it was solely pure that there could be a robust exhibiting of Hondas. the type: uncommon wheels, low stance, an immaculately detailed engine bay and the distinct scent of a squash-flavored air freshener.
VIP vehicles additionally make up an enormous a part of the Wekfest expertise, and in relation to the Japanese luxurious sled few do it higher than Kyoei USA. Right here’s their LS400, accomplished in what I’ve to say is a timeless bippu look.
Euro VIP? Completely. It’s superb how pure this late mannequin C Class Mercedes appears on a set of Work Eurolines, contemplating this wheel design is way older than the automotive.
The Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ proceed to infiltrate the scene at an alarming tempo. Wekfest LA included a particular part that includes quite a few these vehicles modified to various levels.
Sure, it appears there’s a international species set on taking on America. Initially native to Kyoto, Japan, the mysterious Rocket Bunny has unfold its seed all around the USA; with this specific creature having tailored to the recent dry local weather of Arizona.
Because the Honda S200 continues to age and drop into the worth vary of increasingly more fanatics, I believe we’ll be seeing much more adventurous S2000 builds popping up. Right here’s a slightly cool trying AP1 with a full shade change amongst different issues.
I keep in mind when the DC5 got here out and signaled the brand new fashionable course Honda was taking with its vehicles. Are you able to imagine that was over a decade in the past already? Boy do I really feel previous. Anyway, right here’s a really good post-facelift RSX on a set of concave face TE37s.
Right here we’ve one other set of TEs, these ones in Magazine Blue and affixed to a really cool trying E46 M3. To me this automotive has the proper steadiness of perform and magnificence. Thumbs up.
Someone wants to inform this individual their wagon doesn’t have perfect suspension journey and people tires aren’t going to supply an optimum contact patch!
Whereas I obtained my classic Toyota repair on this very spot just a few weeks in the past, there’s by no means a foul time for an AE86. This one was dumped to the bottom and sporting its USDM bumpers with pleasure.
This BMW 2002 is one other automotive that popped up in Taryn’s Slammed Society protection. The little Bimmer was simply so cool that I couldn’t resist giving it some extra love right here.
There’s actually nothing outrageous in regards to the automotive – it’s only a tremendous clear 2002 with bitchin’ stance, cool wheels and a wonderfully old fashioned shade combo. So good.
The concept of utilizing C4 Corvette “Sawblade” wheels is one thing that initially started within the VW scene after which caught on with house owners of sure Japanese vehicles. Right here’s an Impreza wagon modeling them. Unsure what I take into consideration this.
In my eye, one of many standout vehicles of the present was the beautiful EA-T Civic from Rywire. Not solely is it uncommon to see any Civic of this technology in any respect, however this automotive is at one other stage utterly.
Simply take a look at that engine bay. I do know I can’t be the one one who’s pondering function materials right here.
Equally spectacular was this EF construct from ATS Storage, trying like it will be proper at dwelling round Osaka’s Kanjo Loop at two within the morning.
Elsewhere, we’ve one other EF Civic accomplished in additional of a conventional old fashioned SoCal import type. Take your decide.
From Eighties Honda Civics to a depraved trying Porsche 997 – such is the range that Wekfest brings.
This instance of the considerably under-appreciated however all the time cool BMW Z3 M Coupe was sporting a wonderfully sized set of Work Meister S1s. It might be delicate by Wekfest requirements, however I’m not complaining.
On the whole Hondas have moved far-off from huge wheel fad of the early 2000s, however in the proper circumstances a pleasant set of 17s can nonetheless look excellent on a Civic or Integra – as proven by this DC2 on TE37s.
Observe: There are two extra posts from Wekfest Los Angeles 2013 to take a look at right here and right here.
Mike Garrett
Instagram: japanifornia
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