It’s still early in the season for car shows in Canada, with the major meets not rolling around until July or August. This weekend’s gathering on Progress Avenue in Scarborough was a small, pop-up affair—but a welcome change from the usual cross-city haul to bigger, busier spots like Financial Drive.
Under clear skies and bright sun, the itasha cars stole the spotlight. This Japanese style of customization—loosely translating to “cringeworthy car”—leans hard into bold anime graphics, often featuring eye-catching characters plastered along the bodywork. JDM machines were out in force, including a slammed 1997 Nissan 240SX, better known overseas as the S14 Silvia, sitting low and proud among the crowd.
A strong showing from Nissan Skyline GT-R owners added some serious pedigree to the meet, with multiple generations represented—including a pair of coveted R34s. These cars famously skipped North American markets for years, only officially arriving with the later R35 generation. Fittingly, one of the R34s on display retained its right-hand-drive roots.
The Subaru Impreza WRX remains a staple of these gatherings, and it’s easy to see why. Produced across four generations over more than two decades, the WRX offers endless customization potential. Whether heavily modified or kept subtle with a clean black-on-black look, it continues to be one of the most accessible and popular enthusiast platforms around.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the glow of undercar lighting began to take over. Once a fragile and pricey mod in the ‘90s, underglow has been transformed by modern LED tech. From rugged rock lights illuminating lifted trucks to vibrant pink and purple hues lighting up Mustangs, the effect is simple—everything looks cooler bathed in neon.
The turn-of-the-century Acura Integra made an appearance as well, a reminder of a time when affordable, front-wheel-drive coupes delivered both style and fun. Many of these cars were driven hard and eventually lost to rust or neglect, making it all the more impressive to see one restored to such a meticulous standard.
While Japanese imports dominated, there was still a healthy mix of domestic muscle, lifted pickups, and European builds randomly thrown in. From brand-new VB WRXs to older Lexus models riding on air suspension, the lineup reflected a generation shaped by rising fuel costs and a steady diet of Fast & Furious inspiration.
As the night wound down and cars filtered back onto Progress Avenue, a few enthusiasts couldn’t resist a final burst of noise—revving engines and crackling exhausts echoing into the night. It was a fleeting rebellion, though; by midnight, the meet had naturally come to an end, and everyone was heading home anyway.
Some nice looking rides! Good stuff!
Omg those pink rims! 😍😍
Would they look ridiculous on my black CR-V?!!
Some guy paid big bucks for those hearts.