Liberty Walk and Big Money Cars

The annual ImportExpo show at the International Centre is the traditional end of show car season in Toronto. The indoor event out by Pearson International Airport attracts both local vendors and Japanese shops like Liberty Walk with their high-dollar custom cars.

The organizers carefully curate the show cars on display. It’s got to be either a custom car or rare JDM model to get on the showroom floor. After all, spectators are paying $30-$40 to get in, so it’s got to be better that the Tim Horton’s parking lot on a Saturday night.

Many of the vehicles are highly influenced by the original three Fast & Furious movies from 2001 to 2006 as well as drift culture and Japanese anime. The visuals are wild and colourful, the body kits and wings are almost cartoonish.

It’s very much like a haute-couture fashion-show for cars. Some of what’s on display is too outrageous or cumbersome to ever hit the streets. But this is the cutting edge of style, and the reaction of the crowd can help guide what manufacturers (both OEM and aftermarket) build in the future.

The most interesting aspect of ImportExpo is the diversity of vehicles; there’s certainly no two alike. While ‘stanced’ cars, unpainted carbon-fiber, and massive spoilers aren’t suited to everyone’s taste, these cars are about extremes in design. How far can customizers push their designs? And that makes it the show not to miss each season.