Everybody and anybody that is a car enthusiast has been to a Hot Import Nights show at one point or another. And if they tell you otherwise, they're lying. And if you've been there you'd know the show caters to tuners and enthusiast with sport compact cars and does little to glorify an up-scaled ride. It's like having a patron of a country club hanging out at the local. And because of this and the recent boom in high performance and luxury tuning, the makers of HIN got together and decided to throw a show with only the best of the best the automotive world has to offer and they dubbed it the VIP Auto Fashion. Its first show was held in Anaheim, CA at the Anaheim Convention Center just across the street from Disneyland on December 3, 2005.
As you walk into the convention center, you're greeted by three of the world's coveted super cars that we've all dreamed about. Placed on an elevated podium is a Porsche GT to the right, Ferrari Enzo on the left and a Saleen S7 in middle. It honestly was a glorious entrance and right then and there you knew this show was different from the original HIN series.
If you can manage to get passed the dynamic trio, you'd realize the whole hall is filled with cars of similar caliber. The idea was to have a clean high-class ride and every car in attendance met the criteria. There were countless rows or Lamborghini Murcielagos and Gallardos along with Porsches and more Ferraris.
But the show wasn't limited to exotics. There were cars that were more familiar to our realm like BMWs and Audis. Representing our demographic was TWCompetition with some of the finest and most heavily modified Euros at the show. And to prove their worth, they won 14 trophies with only eight cars that evening. Another well-known crew, Europrojekts, also participated. Not only did they have hot rides, they even dressed the part with each member wearing a suit.
In truth it really was a pleasant show. Music play was kept down to a minimum and the floor wasn't littered with tons of discarded flyer. The crowd was much lighter than the usual HIN series and the hall was well lit. If you missed the VIP Auto Fashion, then make a note to attend the next one.
Visit www.vipautosalon.com and www.hotimportnights.com for more information and look for a full coverage in the upcoming march issue of eurotuner.