Late Season Exhibition: Import Nationals San Francisco 1999
Date: August 22, 1999
Location: Cow Palace, Daly City (San Francisco), California
Event Type: Indoor Car Show
On August 22, 1999, the Import Nationals was held at the Cow Palace in Daly City, serving as a late-summer exhibition for the Northern California automotive aftermarket. Positioning itself between the major national tour stops of Import Showoff and Hot Import Nights, this event provided a platform for local builders to display mid-season updates. The show floor reflected the specific automotive trends dominating the Bay Area market in the latter half of 1999.
Market Impact of the 1999 Honda Civic Si (EM1)
The August event occurred approximately six months after the US market release of the 1999 Honda Civic Si (EM1). This timing resulted in a significant presence of the chassis on the show floor.
- Color Trends: The factory “Electron Blue Pearl” paint, exclusive to the Si model, was the dominant color of the event. It appeared on factory Si chassis and was frequently used as a respray color for older EG (1992–1995) and EK (1996–1998) Civic hatchbacks.
- Bolt-On Performance: With the introduction of the B16A2 DOHC VTEC engine in a domestic chassis, the show highlighted a shift toward “street legal” performance parts. Engine bays frequently featured DC Sports ceramic headers and AEM cold air intakes, which were becoming standard compliance upgrades for California-registered vehicles.
The Prevalence of Body Conversions
The 1999 Import Nationals displayed a high concentration of “front-end conversions,” a modification where body panels from one vehicle model or region are grafted onto another.
- The JDM Integra: For Acura Integra (DC2) owners, the primary trend was the conversion from the US-spec quad round headlights to the Japanese-spec “long” rectangular headlights. This modification required replacing the bumper, hood, fenders, and radiator support.
- The “S13.5” Conversion: Following the January 1999 release of the Nissan Silvia (S15) in Japan, the August show featured some of the earliest US examples of the “Strawberry Face” conversion. This involved installing the S15 front end onto the older Nissan 240SX (S13 or S14) chassis.
Aftermarket Wheel Trends
The wheel selection at the Import Nationals illustrated the market dominance of specific multi-piece designs in 1999.
- Racing Hart: The Racing Hart C2 (multi-piece) and the C5 (single-piece) were the most prevalent wheel choices among trophy contenders.
- Sizing: The standard fitment for the Honda/Acura platforms displayed was the 17-inch wheel, marking a departure from smaller 15-inch or 16-inch sizing common in previous years.
Regional Crew and Industry Participation
The event featured participation from established Northern California organizations.
- Team CIPHeR: This crew displayed a lineup focused on the Toyota MR2 (SW20) and Acura Integra. Their builds were characterized by “clean” styling—using period-correct Japanese aerodynamic parts rather than custom fiberglass fabrication.
- Speed Image: The San Jose-based performance retailer maintained a vendor booth, showcasing the increasing availability of forced induction components, specifically GReddy turbocharger kits, for the Honda B-series engine.
The August 22, 1999, Import Nationals documented the rapid adoption of Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) styling cues in the US scene. The event highlighted the transition of the Honda Civic Si from a new dealer offering to a primary platform for modification and confirmed the “face swap” as a defining aesthetic of the late-90s era.
