Throwback Thursday: Wekfest LA, 10 years in the past

2023 Intro

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 program. This yr, Wekfest founder Kenneth Li and his crew are celebrating 15 years of occasions – a formidable milestone that speaks to the fervour behind them.

10 years in the past, the Wekfest LA occasion was held outdoors in Lengthy Seaside, California, and Speedhunters OG Mike Garrett was there to catch the present. How was the occasion in 2013? Let's return and take a look at this week's Throwback Thursday submit…

2013 Characteristic

This previous Saturday I discovered myself on the Queen Mary Occasions Middle in Lengthy Seaside for the second time this month – it was only a few weeks in the past that I ventured to this location for Toyotafest, and this weekend I returned for Wekfest LA. I'm actually not complaining, as a result of the oceanfront park on the LBC is likely one of the nicest auto present venues I've ever been to. How are you going to not like cool sea breezes, the backdrop of downtown Lengthy Seaside and a few of SoCal's most interesting imported automobiles.

I feel most of you’re already conversant in Wekfest – the occasion that began as a humble gathering within the San Francisco Bay Space after which grew right into a touring sequence with occasions on each coasts of the USA and likewise of Hawaii. There may be additionally phrase that Wekfest will unfold to Japan in 2014.

And whereas Northern California is perhaps the birthplace of Wekfest, the occasion has additionally discovered a welcome house in sunny Southern California. For this yr, Wekfest LA returned to the Queen Mary over the Memorial Day vacation weekend for an additional enormous and profitable gathering.

The climate in Lengthy Seaside over the weekend was good, with temperatures round 72 levels F and delightful sunny skies. In different phrases, the sort of issues that make Southern California the envy of individuals all around the world.

To be sincere, I nonetheless can't put my determine precisely what you do That's what made Wekfest so profitable, however the best way these occasions have grown over the previous few years is solely unimaginable. Not solely have been the Lengthy Seaside present grounds full of automobiles, however the line of spectators ready to get in appeared to stretch on and on.

I do know that Wekfest has set itself as much as have a really prime quality collection of automobiles. Whereas I can't say I personally cherished it type of each automotive within the present, there actually weren't any “half-ass” automobiles on the occasion. That's one thing to understand nowadays.

One other beauty of Wekfest is the number of automobiles that take part within the occasion. Whereas not restricted to a sure style, Wekfest consists largely of late mannequin Japanese and European automobiles…

…and inside that group, you'll discover nearly each type conceivable. There are purposeful observe automobiles, loopy staced machines, VIP sedans and vans, drift automobiles, high-end Euro automobiles and nearly all the things else. Greater than something, Wekfest is a spot the place you may actually really feel the heartbeat of the import group.

This isn’t to say that there are not any excesses. In a single nook of the present I got here throughout a few powerful wanting Chevy muscle automobiles, together with this Chevelle on CCW wheels. This factor additionally got here 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 distinctive Acura NSX. In case you missed it, make sure you take a look at the function Sean and I did on this one among a machine.

Being Southern California, it was solely pure that there could be a powerful Honda displaying. the type: uncommon wheels, low stance, an impeccably detailed engine bay and the distinct scent of pumpkin-scented deodorant.

VIP automobiles additionally make up a giant a part of the Wekfest expertise, and in the case of Japanese luxurious sleds, few do it higher than Kyoei USA. Right here is his LS400, made in what I’ve to say is a timeless time beep have a look

Euro VIP? Completely. It's wonderful how pure this late mannequin C Class Mercedes appears to be like on a set of Work Eurolines, contemplating the wheel design is way older than the automotive.

The Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ proceed to infiltrate the scene at an alarming fee. Wekfest LA included a particular part with quite a few these modified automobiles to various levels.

Sure, it appears to be like like there’s an alien species out to take over America. Initially a local of Kyoto, Japan, the mysterious Rocket Bunny has unfold his seed all around the United States; with this specific creature having tailored to the new dry local weather of Arizona.

Because the Honda S200 continues to age and fall into the worth vary of increasingly fanatics, I feel we'll see much more adventurous S2000s popping up. Here’s a quite cool wanting AP1 with a full coloration change amongst different issues.

I keep in mind when the DC5 got here out and signaled the brand new fashionable path that Honda was taking with their automobiles. Are you able to consider 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 TE37 concave faces.

Right here we’ve one other set of TEs, these in Magazine Blue and connected to a really cool E46 M3. To me this automotive has the proper stability of operate and magnificence. Thumbs up.

Somebody wants to inform this person who their wagon doesn’t have supreme suspension journey and people tires don’t present an optimum contact patch!

Whereas I had my classic Toyota repaired at this location a couple of weeks in the past, there’s by no means a foul time for an AE86. This one was dumped on the bottom and sporting its USDM bumpers with delight.

This 2002 BMW is one other automotive that appeared in Taryn's Slammed Society protection. The little Bimmer was so cute I couldn't resist giving it some extra love.

There's actually nothing outrageous concerning the automotive – it's only a tremendous clear 2002 with a whore stance, cool wheels and a wonderfully previous coloration scheme. So good.

The thought of utilizing C4 Corvette “Sawblade” wheels is one thing that began within the VW scene after which caught on with the homeowners of some Japanese automobiles. Right here's an Impreza wagon that fashions them. I'm unsure what I take into consideration that.

In my eyes, one of many standout automobiles of the present was the wonderful EA-T Civic from Rywire. It’s not solely uncommon to see any Civic of this era in all the things, however this automotive is on one other degree utterly.

Simply take a look at that engine bay. I do know I can't be the one one considering of function materials right here.

Equally spectacular was this EF construct from ATS Storage, which appeared proper at house round Osaka's Kanjo Loop at two within the morning.

Elsewhere, we’ve one other EF Civic carried out up in additional of a standard, old-school SoCal import type. Take your choose.

From Nineteen Eighties Honda Civics to a depraved wanting Porsche 997 – that's the range Wekfest brings.

This instance of the considerably underrated however nonetheless cool BMW Z3 M Coupe was sporting a set of completely sized Work Meister S1s. It could be mild by Wekfest requirements, however I'm not complaining.

Typically, Hondas have moved away from the massive wheel style of the early 2000s, however in the fitting circumstances a pleasant set of 17s can nonetheless look excellent on a Civic or Integra – as proven from this DC2 on TE37.