We're shocked just as much as you are, but your own et staff paraded Hot Import Nights Los Angeles with Project Dub, Silverstone and Envy. Fresh from our project car issue (et 9/06), we arranged our handsome VW fleet in a rectangular booth with magazine and sticker giveaways. We're almost certain every spectator that stopped by the booth didn't drive a European car, but hopefully we shed some light. Thankfully, if we didn't get the job done, the quantity of quality European cars present was bound to convert the unknowing.
Walking through the convention center halls, it was inevitable to stumble upon the presentation of TWCompetition, a nationwide club consisting of fully-built European cars. At first glance, it's easy to disregard the cars because of the club's extravagant display of ice sculptures, plasma TVs, neon lights, live DJ, go-go dancers, free shirt giveaways and famed import models. After chatting with the wonderful models, we identified some of the team's emphasized show cars. Featured in et 10/05, Robert Wang's '02 GTI VR6 has added several more monitors to his video display and reengineered the turbocharged VR6 motor by combining a VF-Engineering supercharger. Next, Andy Kuo's widebody B5 S4 showed a great deal of promise with custom blue paint and Audi rings decorated across the sides. You should be seeing a full feature on his car soon. Also present, Eric Shih's widebody '03 M3 featured in et 4/06 sported a new roll cage and VF-Engineering stage 3 supercharger. Additionally in the TWC section was Jeff Nguyen's Steel Grey '02 M3. Jeff is the West Coast manager of TWC and his M3 was awarded three times thanks to a new Active Autowerke supercharger and audio/video setup. TWC's overall presence did not go unnoticed at HIN and the team was presented over 20 awards including Best Overall Team.
Another car club present was New Image Motorsports which made the trek from the East Coast. The entourage of eight cars included Eddie Farcon's carbon widebody 3-Series (see his full feature on p??), Dave Hary's wild big-turbo'd S4 and Diogo Azevedo's metal widebody '96 318ti. Diogo's 3-Series is powered by a turbocharged European M3 motor sitting in a smoothed engine bay. It also features a 4" side-exhaust, OE BMW Phoenix yellow paint and much more. Stay tuned for a full feature on Diogo's creation.
We can't also forget the Europrojektz crew either. Jesse Lin brought out his supercharged '02 330ci with its unforgettable carbon widebody and Porsche GT Slate grey metallic paint, which was published in et 5/06.
After spending hours admiring the European car clubs, it was imperative to journey to the VIP section of HIN where BMWs, Audis, Mercedes, Porsches and Ferraris covered the floors. Jon Levi, owner of JleviSW.com, drove down from the San Francisco area to showcase his custom baby blue E46 M3 with its newly-installed Brembo big brakes. Supreme Power Parts, 3T Motorsport and D2Techik also displayed their shop-built project cars.
The presence and accomplishments of the European car culture at HIN demonstrate the growth of our scene especially among the entire import community. Unfortunately, we have to point out that HIN lacked VW content. Let us hope Dubbers join in the festivities next year.