OBLIVION VII: 80s and 90s Car Show

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For the 7th year running, OBLIVION ’80s and ’90s Car & Culture Show was a marquee event of the summer. Most car shows try to attract high-dollar exotic cars, or rare vehicles like the 1 of 400 Subaru 22B at Subie Showdown. What makes OBLIVION a totally unique event is the focus on completely stock, daily drivers from that pastel era. They’re not turning away a Saleen Mustang, but they’re more interested in displaying a Suzuki Swift GTi.

The organizers are an odd bunch. The rules are that any car built between 1980 and 2005 can be in the show, but only the most bone-stock examples will be allowed into the curated field. Modified vehicles have their place, but it isn’t at OBLIVION. Oh and the rulebook says to keep you hood closed so spectators can appreciate the angular ’80s or curvy ’90s body style. Nobody cares about your engine bay, bro!

An interesting aspect of OBLIVION is the focus of music and fashion from the era. Just like RADwood events in the US, visitors are encouraged to dress in period-correct attire. More than a car show, this is an automotive lifestyle event celebrating the ’80s and ’90s.

And for those who actually grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, the highlight of OBLIVION was the special guest appearance by the cast of “Degrassi Junior High” the hit Canadian TV show which made its debut in 1987. Cast members who played Joey (Pat Mastroianni), his pal Snake (Stefan Brogren) and class cutie Caitlin (Stacie Mistysyn) signed autographs and took pictures with their (now adult) fans.

As a car show, OBLIVION is JDM heaven for many Toronto area enthusiasts. Retro Japanese cars that were never sold here new can now be imported into the country. Nissan’s R32 GT-R, and S14 Silvia parallel parked next to a Canadian market Subaru B.R.A.T. or Toyota Celica GT-Four.

Although similar to US-based RADwood car shows, OBLIVION is unlike other events here in Canada. The music, fashion, pop culture, and cars of the era differentiate it from other popular events like ImportExpo. And that’s a good thing because there’s plenty of room in Canadian car culture for every niche.

For a show with so much potential, there’s plenty of room for improvement. Years ago, the event was held at a very ’80s mall with high-dollar cars parked indoors and a vacant store turned into video arcade. That was ‘on brand’ for a show like Oblivion. But for the 2nd year running OBLIVION has been hosted at a ‘pioneer village’ which absolutely does not fit with the spirit of the event. Maybe OBLIVION VIII in 2026 will take the show in a new direction. Looking forward to it!

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