On June 28, 1998, the Import Autorama was held at the San Mateo Event Center (often associated with the San Francisco scene due to proximity). This era was the “Golden Age” of the import subculture—years before The Fast and the Furious went mainstream—where the community was heavily driven by Asian American youth culture, DIY tuning, and legendary crews.
Event Highlights: June 28, 1998
The show was a hallmark of the 90s “Show & Go” style, featuring a mix of heavy performance mods and the distinct “wild” aesthetics of the time (neon, large wings, and early body kits).
- Standout Cars:
- Toyota MR2s: The SW20 chassis was everywhere. Notably, Harry Wang’s MR2 with a rare Garage SPL Departure exhaust and Tom’s body kit was a major talking point.
- The “Shark” MR2: A polarizing, bright-painted MR2 with a massive, gaping front bumper (resembling a shark) from NV Autobody or Andy’s Autosport was one of the most photographed cars of the day.
- Toyota Celicas: Omar S. won the “Toyota Showoff” trophy with a legendary, clean yellow-orange TA Celica.
- The Vibe: Unlike many outdoor shows (like the Import Challenge in Pleasanton), this was an indoor event, which allowed the candy paints and underglow to really pop.
- The Crews: This was the era of “Representing.” Crews like Team CIPHeR, Gridline, and others dominated the floor. It wasn’t just about the cars; it was about the jackets, the stickers, and the status of the crew.
Key Trends from that Specific Day
- Body Kits: Bomex, Tom’s, and Veilside were the “dream” kits.
- Audio: Trunks were filled with custom fiberglass enclosures and MTX or JL Audio subwoofers.
- Models: The event featured some of the earliest “Import Models” (like the iconic Laura and Tiffany) who would often sign posters and pose with the cars, a staple of 90s car show culture.
