Matsuri Festival of Cars: P.1
Possibly the largest and most anticipated import car show in Calgary this summer was the Matsuri Festival of Cars hosted by Kazoku and Tuner Decals. Being an outdoor show, there’s always a risk of poor weather, but it turned out to be a perfect show weather with hot temperatures and sunshine throughout the entire day.
It was a long show, being from 1pm - 7pm (with roll-in being even earlier), but there was various bits of scheduled entertainment throughout the event which I feel helps break up the day from just walking the lots. There is a ton of work required to put together a show like this, and when things go smoothly, it’s because the team took the time and effort to plan out all of the details - many of which the public eye never will see.
Big thanks to the Kazoku and Tuner Decal team for all of their hard work to ensure that everyone had a good time, and kudos for putting together another great show for the community.
Starting off across from us at Speedfactor was VA Society. I thought that it was quite impressive to see such a huge number of friends who all have the same car. The VA Society crew also had their cars perfectly aligned at the show - can be quite tough with such a large number.
This Millennium Jade wrapped WRX looked great. If you know me, green is one of my favourite colours for a car. Not every car has the lines to pull of a green nicely - but this WRX did it well.
Advan RG-4 in Racing Copper Bronze.
A teal vinyl wrapped STi also on Advans.
I thought this was a great colour combo. Blue on white looks awesome.
Highlighter yellow STi on TE37SL.
Bright sun and dark wheels do not jive.
My camera lens somehow got dirty at this point, so now there’s a dot in most of the following photos. Ugh.
Kenneth’s 10th gen Civic coupe.
Pretty wild looking.
The VA Society sandwiched by 10gen coupes. This grey one was on the opposite end of Kenneth’s yellow coupe.
Passenger seat was removed with a bottle of NOS installed instead. I haven’t seen NOS installed in a vehicle in a long ass time…
Rhyz’s GX470 on Diamond Silver TE37XT. Looking really good on white - but I may be biased…
Someone getting fingernail dirt on Rhyz’s car while taking a closer look at the suspension… It seems like it would be common sense, but this happens to often. I am sure that nobody actually means to do any harm, but if it does not belong to you, please just look and don’t touch!
Juliff’s blacked-out 5th gen 4Runner.
Andrea’s Lunar Rock 4Runner TRD PRO on Gun Blue Gram Light 57DR-X. I really enjoy this colour combo.
Oscar’s GX470 of Oscar’s Rigs. Oscar has 35s on limited edition Arms Grey 57DR-X. He recently acquired the Red Dog Fabrication front bumper and WA Fabrication rock sliders. He also will be going a bit taller soon in order to create additional clearance for the larger tires.
Alex’s R35 Nissan GTR on TE37 Ultra.
Levi’s R32 GTR and Alex’s R35 GTR parked alongside each other.
Nick’s DB Integra that just got the K20 swap running smoothly only a few days before the show.
Nick and I removed the tint off my car just the day before the show. None of the tint really matched anymore due to sun fade. No tint also looks so much cleaner, in my opinion. I do plan on eventually having Alex and Kanji to redo the tint in 80% to help with UV rejection while maintaining that “no-tint” look.
Jackson’s 997 with Porsche cup aero and Advan GT wheels. Jackson won “Best Euro of the Festival”.
Jonathan’s FK8.
Alfred’s Spoon themed FK8. Alfred and Jonathan both made the trip down from Edmonton to be apart of our booth. Thanks again for making the trip down!
Issac’s FC RX7. Issac ended up taking home “Best Mazda of the Festival”.
Jackie’s NSX should be no stranger to anyone in town by now. Jackie ended up taking home two awards; “Best Acura of the Festival” and a sponsors choice.
Danny’s 997.
Alex’s perfect ITR. I literally see this car everyday in the Speedfactor showroom and it does not get old. Alex was awarded “Best Engine Bay of the Festival”.
The Custom Decal booth with two of their demo cars showcasing their vinyl wraps and window tint.
Khalil’s EP3 Civic Type R clone.
Varis Ultimate Aero kitted Mitsubishi Evo X.
Bagged 9th gen Civic with good spec ESR wheels made for good fitment.
Cholo’s Spoon themed FK8 - barely pictured are his Spoon SW388 wheels. Cholo took home “Type R of the Festival”.
Another spoon themed Civic. K-swapped EK repainted in Phoenix Yellow.
Jolo’s S2000 and Carlo’s F80 M3 both sitting on variants of TE37s. Rhyz’s GX470 also lurking in the background, also with a TE37 variant…
This slammed Corolla was unique as in I don’t see this generation modified that often. This one was quite eye-catching being so low. The Advan RZs and choice of vinyl wrap are a good match to this body style.
Lineup of black 10th gen Civics all with dark coloured wheels.
Chargespeed widebody Evo X on bronze Volk 21Cs.
Andrew’s Aimgain ISF is one build that is incredibly well done through-out. The selection of parts are executed perfectly and done at such a high standard, therefore resulting in one of the cleanest cars you’ll ever see.
Andrew recently added T-Demand lower rear arms to allow the car to go an additional 2” lower in the rear. Just when you think this car could not go any lower, Andrew says “wait-” and then somehow manages to make it even lower. Andrew won “Lexus of the Festival”.
Bryant’s recently done Varis Arising-II FRS. He has a few more plans for next year, but now he is just enjoying his car after a long absence without it while it was in the shop. Bryant won “86/BRZ/FRS of the Festival”.
Very clean 350Z and great stance with the Work VS-KF. I love how these cars can look so good stock body and with a set of good fitting wheels.
Eric’s F82 M4 on TE37SL. Great combo and colour.
Erik’s E92 M3 on mag blue TE37 Saga. Also a great combo and colour. Erik’s BMW took home “BMW of the festival”.
Missbdl’s J’s Racing S2000. Steve and Barb were planning out this build for quite some time and can say they’ve finally completed it. They put together quite the head-turner to win “Best car girl of the Festival”.
Some of the VS-One crew hanging out underneath their tent.
Dave’s Spoon ITR. Dave was awarded “Honda of the Festival”.
Timeless.
Integras will always remain to be one of the best.
Wooster’s EK9 Civic Type R. Immaculate and perfect from top to bottom.
Wooster won “Best 90’s Honda of the Festival”.
Ed’s pristine showroom condition CRX Si. Ed is the original owner having purchased this car brand new from the dealership. He definitely has kept it looking that way as well.
Ed was awarded “Unicorn of the Festival”.
Scott’s FK8 on Advan GT.
Eric’s Nissan S15 Silvia. Eric’s S15 is one of my personal favourite cars here locally. My admiration for S15, like most others, started from playing the Initial D and Maximum Tune video games. On top of being 1JZ swapped, the stance on his car is just so good and I think he put together a perfect S15. He was awarded “Static Car of the Festival”.
I’ve been seeing this S13 around more often now at the local car meets and I quite dig it…
Tristan’s Varis Ultimate STi hatchback. Another well executed car.
Bagged STi - another one of VS-One Automotive’s heavy hitting line-up…
Check out part 2 for additional coverage on the North end of the lot. I get heatstroke about here and recover with a blue Gatorade before continuing on…
