Modified cars shine at 60th annual San Francisco Chronicle International Show
Paint, new wheels and a variety of techniques are the tools used by imaginative vehicle owners to modify vehicles to reflect their personal taste.
As many as 115 examples of modified cars will be exhibited at the 60th annual San Francisco Chronicle International Show, which opens Nov. 18 at the Moscone Convention Center.
“Starting in 2010, I wanted to supplement the new production cars in the show with the aftermarket and modified cars,” said Scott Diamond, assistant show manager. “But I quickly learned it was a tight-knit community and it was hard to get a foot in the door.”
He found the key when he contacted John Liwanag, a Southern California transplant to the Bay Area, who had modified his 1997 Honda when he was only 19.
“He was well connected with the people who had the cars that we wanted in the show,” Diamond said. “John is credited by many for importing what is known as the VIP style from Japan. It put him on the map of car modification.”
However, the publicity-shy Liwanag claims he just created an online haven for the style.
“John had some reservations in the beginning about getting involved with the car show, but still agreed to help us out,” Diamond said.
Modified cars were first exhibited at the auto show in what was called the After-Market Alley.
Liwanag provided four modified vehicles that year, along with some race cars and a “mixed bag” of other vehicles. He brought in more vehicles for each of the next two years.
“By that time, I wanted a bigger after-market space that would appeal to a younger demographic,” Diamond said.
The plan was to give adventuresome vehicle owners something they would relate to and to introduce vehicles that differed from the manufacturers’ production vehicles to a wider audience, according to Diamond.
“John asked me if he could make a proposal,” Diamond said. “I was kind of surprised, but excited that he wanted to get involved.”
The modified car exhibit was moved five years ago to the Esplanade Ballroom. There is one little roadblock. The ballroom is on an upper level of the center. Cars must be transported to the ballroom one-by-one in the freight elevator. Liwanag directs traffic.
Dubbed the San Francisco Auto Salon, the larger exhibit space is an opportunity for Liwanag to create the kind of modified-car show of which he had always dreamed: An exhibit of the specialized cars that would reach folks that might not go to an after-market-only show.
“It is not about winning trophies or getting publicity,” Liwanag said. “The show is an avenue for our cars to be seen outside our normal avenues and by a much larger audience. I am not surprised it became popular.”
His own orange VIP was displayed in the 2016 show.
“What surprises me is how it became almost prestigious for modified vehicle owners to display their cars,” Liwanag said. “The show became the place to be. People are coming and asking to be in it.
“The biggest thing for them is the diversity of the cars and diversity of owners that may not see each other for months.” Liang said. “They get to interact and talk about cars.”
This year Liwanag expects to get 60 modified imported cars for the exhibit and 40 domestics.
“Sixty years ago, this was the Import Car Show, then the American vehicles joined us,” said show Director Kevin Diamond. “The Salon’s modified cars add a different dimension to the experience of the folks who come to the show.”