Hot Import Nights

[pleong]

Anyone going to the HIN pre-party at Monroe Lounge Friday night?? What about the After Party at SISU??

[mx5 2nr]

For those that go, please take pics...


My "car club" (really, a bunch of friends - Team Nohaven) used to show at HIN Dallas the first couple of years waay back in the day.. We've since all gone our separate ways but most of us still have at least one "tuner car" in the garage. We've talked about a "15 year reunion - where are they now" & all show together at a HIN-like event in the near future... Kinda wondering what HIN is like now...

[robr]

Originally Posted by MokSpeed

People, for whatever reason, are starting to mod SW20s again. Hoping to see at least one there!

When did they stop? We've barely had any down time in the 2+ years I've been with ATS...and a good 99% of the customer cars we work on are SW20s.

[MokSpeed]

Originally Posted by robr

When did they stop? We've barely had any down time in the 2+ years I've been with ATS...and a good 99% of the customer cars we work on are SW20s.

I meant in terms of show cars.

I know there will always be support for this platform just like all the older Toyota sports cars.

[robr]

Gotcha. I finished a show car for a guy in OK not too long ago. Not sure if he'll be there or not. About to finish another show car for a guy in Houston, but after it leaves our shop it's going for paint and body work. He should be at HIN next year, so he says.

I want to get Aaron and Scott to go to these types of things (relatively clean cars, 828rwhp and 760rwhp, respectively, so some say "crazy builds"). But they don't care to

I thought about putting my FRS in HIN, but it's a stock bodied and looking car. And I'm terrible at detailing my personal vehicles. And even the turbo setup is very tame looking, so *I* wouldn't deem it show-worthy, I certainly don't expect others to.

[MokSpeed]

I don't blame your friends for not wanting to show. Personally, as much as I enjoy working and attending these events, I would never want to show my car. I guess the main reason would be that I'd prefer not to advertise my car and everything that's done to it. Mods on my car were put on for my enjoyment.

[robr]

Originally Posted by MokSpeed

I don't blame your friends for not wanting to show. Personally, as much as I enjoy working and attending these events, I would never want to show my car. I guess the main reason would be that I'd prefer not to advertise my car and everything that's done to it. Mods on my car were put on for my enjoyment.

They are both owners of ATS, which is an MR2 shop...so advertising their MR2s is probably the best thing they could do.

But I get your point. That's a big reason I never cared about shows either: I build cars for myself. Well, I build my cars for myself.

[azspd02]

Having been in 2008, 2012, and 2014 I gotta say the event seems to have gone downhill at least in DFW in my opinion. The venue in '08 (Dallas Convention Center I believe) was great compared to TMS and the Market Center. But way more importantly, the sheer number of cars that were around in '08 blew away the last 2 I've attended. There were rows of Supras, some Skylines, GTRs (if I recall correctly and they had just showed up on the scene), RX7s, 240s, STIs etc. Basically, the difference has been the decrease in the amount of tuner cars especially those from the mid 90s that are getting harder and harder to see on the streets.

The more I think about it the difference between '08 and the last 2 was night and day the event in '08 was a very memorable experience there was so much going on and the last 2 were such a letdown comparatively (I know there are extenuating factors; economy etc). These days my friends and I are to the point where we want to get excited for HIN but it just isn't the same. Definitely, hoping it bounces back though like I said the '08 one was a memorable one for me and easily the best car show/meet I've ever attended.

[pleong]

Originally Posted by azspd02

Having been in 2008, 2012, and 2014 I gotta say the event seems to have gone downhill at least in DFW in my opinion. The venue in '08 (Dallas Convention Center I believe) was great compared to TMS and the Market Center. But way more importantly, the sheer number of cars that were around in '08 blew away the last 2 I've attended. There were rows of Supras, some Skylines, GTRs (if I recall correctly and they had just showed up on the scene), RX7s, 240s, STIs etc. Basically, the difference has been the decrease in the amount of tuner cars especially those from the mid 90s that are getting harder and harder to see on the streets.

The more I think about it the difference between '08 and the last 2 was night and day the event in '08 was a very memorable experience there was so much going on and the last 2 were such a letdown comparatively (I know there are extenuating factors; economy etc). These days my friends and I are to the point where we want to get excited for HIN but it just isn't the same. Definitely, hoping it bounces back though like I said the '08 one was a memorable one for me and easily the best car show/meet I've ever attended.

You must be thinking of another show.. HIN's last show before last year was 2005.

[azspd02]

Originally Posted by pleong

You must be thinking of another show.. HIN's last show before last year was 2005.

Nah HIN was definitely here in 2008 and then went on a hiatus til 2012 where it took place at TMS.. I can find pictures to prove it if I have to lol actually you can Google it and watch YouTube videos of those events. I highly recommend '08 was a great event imo..

[pleong]

Originally Posted by azspd02

Nah HIN was definitely here in 2008 and then went on a hiatus til 2012 where it took place at TMS.. I can find pictures to prove it if I have to lol actually you can Google it and watch YouTube videos of those events. I highly recommend '08 was a great event imo..

So it would appear you're right. That was during the time of different ownership. The original HIN guys bought it back last year and started doing events again.

[azspd02]

Originally Posted by pleong

So it would appear you're right. That was during the time of different ownership. The original HIN guys bought it back last year and started doing events again.

Ahhh I see. I think one of the things that made it a good show was local tuner shops had a strong showing I recall JoTech having a huge presence there which added a lot of built cars that you don't typically see driving around..

[pleong]

Originally Posted by azspd02

Ahhh I see. I think one of the things that made it a good show was local tuner shops had a strong showing I recall JoTech having a huge presence there which added a lot of built cars that you don't typically see driving around..

That's good a point. I'll bring that up tonight at our meeting. Anything else you would like to see from the shows? As far as show participants that's a bit out of our control if those with builds don't want to show

[azspd02]

Originally Posted by pleong

That's good a point. I'll bring that up tonight at our meeting. Anything else you would like to see from the shows? As far as show participants that's a bit out of our control if those with builds don't want to show

Yeah I definitely understand that. Plus with it coming up in a couple days probably tough to make any changes. I will say this one came up on me out of nowhere normally I find out about HIN a month or so in advance and can plan for it so maybe better promotion. Long term it'd be nice to have it be an event like it was a the '08 where there were tons of cars to go through, a show going on at the same time, and other festivities maybe check out some vids from that one and incorporate some of that in the future. The past 2 HINs felt more like glorified car meets versus an experience to look forward to every year.