Onto part 5…

This will kind of be a mix of photos from JC and myself. When I came back to the show later in the afternoon, I decided to try and make a slow walk around to check out some cars and snap some that caught my eye, so there may be some repeats. During my (slow) walks, I sometimes caught a bit of conversations that people were having while I was composing a photo or trying to find a good angle and lots of the chitter chatter was how Sunday School was probably the best show in a long time. Others said that it’s the only show worth going to that doesn’t seem like a cash grab. On the other hand, conversations were straight up about cars (naturally) – what kind of engine swap is best, which profile tires they tried that didn’t cause rubbing, what offset their wheels were…

It really illustrates two things – 1) that my thoughts about the show are not wrong and that people really do recognize Sunday School as more than a “show” and 2) it brings together like-minded individuals in a very community-esque way. People have booths up, maybe they have their lawn chairs out to just take a break, some are working their hustle, but no matter what it is you’re doing – everyone is here for the same good time. Sharing tips, specs, ideas – in case you’ve forgotten, the show was meant for a way to put the local car scene on the map – not to give away awards or bragging rights (although it is a bonus). It’s where you see the true OG’s come out to play and share what we’ve all looked up to for so long. It’s the grounds for inspiration, really – you could walk around all day and find something that might be right up your alley or something that might completely turn you off – but that’s OK.

In the last 9 years, if I were to use the show as a gauge to illustrate how much this scene has changed – boy, are we far from home. The coolest thing about photographing this show for 9 years straight is the fact that you can see almost exactly where in time trends shifted for us. Perhaps a good idea for a post for another day – but the point of it is that we’re far (but not gone) from the replica parts phase and we’ve maybe jumped too much and are now in overkill phase. There is such a thing as “too much” and in the past, I used to yell “Needs a bigger GT wing!” but now I’m screaming “Make the GT wing smaller!” at the top of my lungs, or the classic “Those wheels need to be wider/have lower offset” and now we’re at the “no, no, no – make them fit properly!” We were so close to that balance but missed the mark and maybe the illmotion retirement creates the lull in the scene to bring us back to our senses until something new comes along…

Food for thought… Let’s get on with part 5.

GR STI Sedan on bronze ZE40’s under some fender flares. I dig these flares – not too flashy and just enough to work well with the sedan’s lines. It’s not super easy to get the wicked concavity in the ZE40’s unless you can run a really wide wheel.

Gabriel’s timeless turbo GSR on CCW’s

RHD Forester STI on Gram Lights

Decked out Tacoma. I don’t like camping, but I’d camp with this..

A clean 240SX in the 403Media booth…

I looped around again to Brady’s STI sedan just cause I had to see it in person. Such a beautifully put together build… Those TE37 Sagas are money.

Another angle to look at the kit and fitment of the wheels.

Logan’s STI Sedan again…

Rob Hartson’s STI hatch absolutely dumped on Work VS-KF’s. He rides like this static as well.

A pretty bad ass Veilside RX7 in green/black. If you knew about Veilside before Tokyo Drift, you might have a better appreciation for the kit but nonetheless, still a bad ass kit…

The green colours make their way into the engine bay as well…

Lexus RC-F – I think the only one at the show. I’m surprised it never really became a popular chassis to mod – I’m not sure if it’s due to the price or just the lack of aftermarket parts for it… Still a decent looking car though.

Once again. Don’t know anything but I love this…

RHD MR-S. I haven’t actually seen one up close in person – this used to be my dream car way back in high school. I remember seeing my first one in a copy of Import Tuner and I dreamed about it constantly, trying to find ways to get one…

Kirsten’s Altezza on Fifteen52 wheels

The glitter purple painted IS300 on a rose-gold set of CR-Kai’s. After I was corrected that this was in fact not a wrap, I immediately had a greater appreciation for it. I hate myself for assuming something that isn’t your typical paint job is wrap – it’s straight up disrespect and I don’t mean it. I think I’ve just gotten tired of going up to check to see if it’s paint or wrap because 99% of the time… It’s wrap LOL. Good job sir!

The Renault Clio from roll-in. Super mint…

Another shot of Aaron’s R32 GTR

A wicked BN sports widebody RX7 with a RB26 swap. When it was first rolling in, the bumper had what looked to be saran wrap all over it but from a distance, it looked like a really bad paint job and I was severely disappointed. When he rolled closer, I was relieved LOL! This was another one of my favourite builds at the show – never seen this around before…

LS-swapped FRS! I wish I heard this thing rolling through…

Mugen FD2 on CE28’s

Gerick’s Lexus RC350 with a RB kit on TE37’s. At one point, he did have the RB wing as well, but looks like he’s opted to run clean.

a 3IS with an ARK Solus widebody fitting super wide Work Meister S1R’s. It sports a gold/black colour theme throughout the car and goes by the nickname Killmonger (black panther for those not in the know). The colour and vinyl design looks much better with the widebody now than it did with the stock body. Super aggressive.

Bill’s Grand Prix – still in amazing condition as usual. I don’t believe it gets much seat time with all the other cars Bill has in his stable, but it’s nice to see that he’s still bringing it out to shows.

Those of you that are new here might wonder what a Grand Prix is doing in the middle of all these modified imports, euros, and trucks and it earns a special spot in the show for those of you that know Bill and his family. Bill’s father passed away a few years ago and this was his toy – bought brand new in 1993. It was daily driven for 16 years and Bill later bought it from his Dad for $1.00 when he passed it down to him. Bill and his Mom, Sue, both attend every dang illmotion show and event when they can and have literally been both mine as well as illmotion’s number 1 supporters from day one. They are the two faces I will try and come say “hello” to at shows because they’re just so welcoming and open to literally everything.

Bill continues to work on the GP whenever he can and continues to honour his Dads legacy by maintaining this car. Something I think all of us would do if we were in the same boat – it is simply a way of continuing to remember to not forget.

Bill’s 2nd car is his Ford Focus sedan with an ST engine swap. I remember when Bill first got this car – he said nothing too crazy. Then he went and did the engine swap, and then lowered it more, and then put fender flares on it and so goes the story of “I’m keeping it stock”… I’ve been there…

And finally, Bill’s 3rd car is his S15 – a dream car of his that I know he’s been longing for for so long. He’s been working on restoring it to a more presentable stage as I understand some of the previous modifications were a little tasteless and some of the paint needed some work. In due time, I think we’ll see his S15 looking even better…

Sue’s Focus sporting new fender flares as well. They got this done days before the show.

Wicked black Focus RS. These things look mean as hell. I’ve been really digging the overhaul Ford has been making to all their vehicles. Incredibly more aggressive and bold.

Another Focus hatch

Derricks’ Fiesta ST

Another shot of Jeevs’ CTR on MF10’s

Another angle of Pat Tan’s 1JZ IS300 on Regas…

FC-powered Corolla GT-S

Another Forester STI in WRB on bronze ZE40’s. Honestly a colour combo that will just never get old. I kind of want this for winter now…

Super minty RX7 in the VEX booth…

Porsche on Advan GT’s in the Vex booth…

It was at that point that I turned around and was greeted with ABG hunters hood. I literally almost fainted when I saw it. If any of you are keeping track, you know that Brandon is on the hunt for an ABG and he’s been tasked to find one so I can take a picture of them by the end of the day.

He lost Kya because I’m sure Kya knew there were no leads (or he had no chance), he obtained a scooter instead but perhaps failed to notice that only one person can fit on said scooter, so no ABG was going to bite on that. And now I find that he has seemingly wiped his car with what looks like Vaseline from who knows what (but you know) creating hazing and swirls basically all over the car. Recall back to my comment about how if you own a black car, it needs to look like a mirror? It needs to look like a damn mirror so ABG’s can do their damn make up! So far, the points aren’t adding up for Brandon…

Calling @gpomp AKA Duncan for paint correction services…

So what does Brandon do next?

He says to me “take a picture of me next to Kasem’s car for my tinder profile”. I say – whatever will help you get that ABG picture man…

Then he goes “wait! One more with Jackson’s car too just for good measure”. I hesitantly agree, but a good friend does what a good friend should do. That also means that I won’t only take a picture and post it on my blog and possibly lose followers, I’ll give you a quick bio on Brandon for any girls currently reading this (Paging: Import Dolls!)

Brandon measures two things in life – how much he can lift and how much he can lift after he lifts whatever he lifted the first time. His deadlift PR is something like 810lbs give or take, so rest assured that he can sweep you off your feet. Legend has it that he once sat for 8 hours straight, 2 days in a row for that tattoo sleeve you see on his left arm – he’s got tough skin and can take all your shit. He just got his bike license which means you’ll get the ride of your life. That gold chain around his neck? It’s not just for looks, it’s for you to pull him in closer if you know what I mean. Brandon has a baby face – girls love baby faces (look at the BTS army) – no stubble means no rug burn, and no rug burn means more “love you long time”.

If I didn’t sell you at how much he lifts, hopefully I sold you at the no rug burn part. I apologize in advance of any dirty underwear that I may have caused during this last part of my coverage – I’m just trying to help a brotha out. His instagram is @btl.88 – go slide in his DM’s. ABG’s or ABB’s are welcome.