Was This the Last One Ever?
Nisei Showoff, 2009
Aug 17th, 2009 // Article By: Skunk2 Staff // Photographer: Skunk2 Staff
They say that last weekend’s Nisei Week Showoff Car Show just might’ve been the last Import Showoff ever. The news is either sad or a good attempt at reeling in a few extra dollars’ worth of hype. But unfortunately the former is more likely, as Import Showoff head honcho Ken Miyoshi says he plans to launch an entirely new venue, Mega Matsuri, which incidentally will have its premiere event held at the exact same site as Nisei Showoff…just seven days after the final Nisei Showoff. Hmm, same promoter, same location, and only one week away—Showoff lovers needn’t worry.
Each year during Los Angeles’ Nisei Week the small parking lot in the heart of downtown L.A.’s Little Tokyo fills up. And fast. Last weekend was no different. More than 200 cars crowded the lot as hundreds of spectators paid their 12 bucks to roam in and out despite the 90-plus-degree heat. Everyone made the trip for good reason though, as Import Showoff events aren’t just the longest standing in the scene (they’ve been doing them for 15 years), they’re arguably the best. Take its Nisei Showoff, for example. It’s held during the day, while it’s light out, which means you can actually see the cars. The event also makes no pretense at being something it isn’t, thus blurring the lines between car show and night club like nearly every other promoter’s done. There is no dance competition, no B boys, no DJ battle, no motocross exhibition—just really nice cars—cars so well put together that many wait for Nisei Week just to debut their latest projects. In short, Nisei Showoff is really nothing more than a car show—and a good one at that. Like most Nisei Showoffs, Honda dominated, occupying nearly half the lot alongside a few Subarus, a bunch of Evos, some Toyotas, and the obligatory hodgepodge of Supras and RX-7s. Of course, more Hondas means the bar’s been set higher for the guy with the Civic. K-swaps and a set of Volks no longer cuts it. Wire tucks and shaved bays are mandatory as are custom brake line tucks and personalized valve covers that rival works of art. Today, nearly everything that can be tucked gets tucked, including a radiator we saw (or didn’t see) on a Prelude, which quite possibly could be the first Honda radiator tuck on a street car known to man. Only at Nisei.
Each year during Los Angeles’ Nisei Week the small parking lot in the heart of downtown L.A.’s Little Tokyo fills up. And fast. Last weekend was no different. More than 200 cars crowded the lot as hundreds of spectators paid their 12 bucks to roam in and out despite the 90-plus-degree heat. Everyone made the trip for good reason though, as Import Showoff events aren’t just the longest standing in the scene (they’ve been doing them for 15 years), they’re arguably the best. Take its Nisei Showoff, for example. It’s held during the day, while it’s light out, which means you can actually see the cars. The event also makes no pretense at being something it isn’t, thus blurring the lines between car show and night club like nearly every other promoter’s done. There is no dance competition, no B boys, no DJ battle, no motocross exhibition—just really nice cars—cars so well put together that many wait for Nisei Week just to debut their latest projects. In short, Nisei Showoff is really nothing more than a car show—and a good one at that. Like most Nisei Showoffs, Honda dominated, occupying nearly half the lot alongside a few Subarus, a bunch of Evos, some Toyotas, and the obligatory hodgepodge of Supras and RX-7s. Of course, more Hondas means the bar’s been set higher for the guy with the Civic. K-swaps and a set of Volks no longer cuts it. Wire tucks and shaved bays are mandatory as are custom brake line tucks and personalized valve covers that rival works of art. Today, nearly everything that can be tucked gets tucked, including a radiator we saw (or didn’t see) on a Prelude, which quite possibly could be the first Honda radiator tuck on a street car known to man. Only at Nisei.
