If y’all have been following along with the content I’ve been releasing, you’ll notice I’ve started with posts from 2018. We are going to skip forward in time to more recent event coverage. It will get a bit confusing but I think it is going to be a good change of pace and scenery.

In 2022, I graduated from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology. With me being a Filipino-American raised by first-generation Filipino immigrant parents, school was a priority. After fulfilling my parents’ wishes and feeling like an imposter in my field of study, it was time to fulfill my own dreams and aspirations. I was 24 years old and 6 months prior to graduation, I told my family that I was going to move out of the house and transplant myself in Denver, Colorado with my – at the time girlfriend, now – wife haha.

Leaving California’s thriving automotive culture, I did not know what to expect of the car culture in Colorado; especially with the dramatic seasonal changes in weather. From my observation driving around in Aurora and Denver and looking at the regular traffic, it was rare to see decent car builds. The most common cool cars I would see around were Evo 8-10s, WRX/STI’s, and RHD Japanese Imported Toyota trucks. Even scrolling through Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, Japanese authentic parts were few and far between. I’m biased to say that Japanese car culture is not that prevalent in Denver/Aurora nor is it at the pedigree of West Coast car culture. I feel it’s still behind in those aspects. This is my opinion and I’m looking through an objective lens here. It could just be Denver’s car culture because I’ve been scrounging Facebook Marketplace and there are decent parts selection about an hour south of Denver in the city of Colorado Springs – which is close to the famed Pikes Peak. On the other end, I still have more to explore in the car culture that Denver has to provide.

I hope that background gives some sort of context. I wanted to invest more time into the local automotive community. I started by subscribing to the Colorado Car’s and Coffee Newsletter which has been helpful. It was spring time and I was ready to see some dope cars. I set my calender for the Cars and Boba Meet at the Mini Moo Tea Shop in Centennial, Colorado in April and here’s what I saw:

RHD Japanese imported Honda Civic EK Hatch on Integra Blades. Not entirely sure if this paint is OEM or not but it’s suiting for this “lowkey IYKYK” (or “if you know you know”) type of status.

More JDM goodness with this Nissan Silvia S15. The S15 chassis has aged so well. Besides that, the Mitsubishi EVO 9 OEM BBS wheels refinished in gold fits the S15. (Huge kudos to @srmax71 from the “SEIKERS” Discord channel for the assist on identifying the wheelset!)

As far as attendance, the event called for “JDM cars”. This sweet line-up of clean cars reminded me of the Bay Area haha. While this line-up was fitting, there were still your occasional Euros, Domestics, and some randomness like usual at these car meets.

Blob-eye WRX on Volk TE37 SL’s and a S2000 AP2 on Enkei RPF1’s from this line-up of clean cars.

After roaming the lot, this Porsche 911 Targa (930) caught my eye. Targa tops are a pretty cool concept. I’m not sure if it’s a gimmick having that I never sat in one but I’m sure the owner of this 911 enjoys the convenience of some outside surrounding immersion.

I love the personal touches of the Momo steering wheel and driving gloves sitting idle on the dashboard.

RHD Toyota Corolla Levin Coupe on mismatched small wheels. For such a small car, it had a huge presence in my opinion.

Nardi steering wheel and some anime references such as the Red Suns sticker on the dashboard and Pokemon pins on the bucket seat in the cockpit of this Levin 86.

Nissan 240SX PS13 on a meaty set of tires wrapped around Work Meister S1 2-pc wheels.

Very subtle aero touches with the roof spoiler and trunk spoiler. It’s also accented with hot pink and chrome as apparent in the decals along the sides, the stickers on the rear bumper, and the chrome taillight housings.

In the interior, there’s a Nardi woodgrain steering wheel, roll cage, and a translucent blue Gameboy Color.

I parked in the back of the lot so I was working my way towards the Mini Moo Tea Shop. About 3/4 of the way through, I stumbled across this line-up of GTR’s. This black R32 sandwiched between another R32 and an R33 was sitting on a set of bronze Volk CE28’s.

Gotta love those famous Skyline tailights that carried on from generation to generation as we see here: starting from the right with the R32 and working our way to the left with the R33 and finally the R34.

Similar to the black R32, this white GTR R33 is wearing a set of silver Volk CE28’s.

My favorite of this line-up was this Midnight Purple GTR R33. I don’t have too much knowledge on the front lip but fitted to the car are Ganador mirrors and Volk 21A wheels.

Work has been done in the engine bay of this R33. Surrounding the RB26 are: Garrett turbo charger, radiator, oil catch can, and strut tower brace to name a few.

Nissan Silvia K’s PS13 in two-toned white and gold with OEM aero kit. Simple drop and wheels for this S13 as opposed to the stereotypical Silvia drift builds.

Across from the PS13 was this white Nissan 180SX Type-X RPS13. In the golden era of 90’s Japanese Cars, Nissan provided many options/models that are somewhat lacking in today’s market of OEM accessories. It’s cool to see the variety of OEM options when you compare the Type X and K’s edition S13’s.

More imports at the Cars and Boba meet as seen here with a Nissan Stagea wagon on gold Nissan R33 wheels.

90’s quirkiness with this Isuzu VehiCROSS in immaculate condition.

As you can read from the plate, “NOSPOON” on this Honda S2000 adorning full Voltex aero and Voltex swan neck GT spoiler. The white on bronze combination is well-mixed as it sits on a set of Advan R6’s wrapped up with Michelin rubber.

Finaly thoughts: I believe there is plenty more to see in the automotive car culture that Colorado has to offer. I could be a hater and just say California car culture is the BEST but no – being a California native majority of my life, it’s not perfect lol. If I accept the culture, anywhere in the world for that matter, I’ll be able to appreciate what they have to offer and accept the good aspects of it. I could put West Coast car culture on a super high pedestal and I’ll never be content with anything outside of that. Like, this is the third car meet I’ve been to since I’ve started living in Colorado. I haven’t attended any car events here like I did in the Bay. I hope this message makes it apparent that I’m not hating on Colorado car culture. My observations and thoughts are subjective and I’m open to accept these differences. Embrace all possibilites, y’know? I’m just glad there are enthusiasts here that f*ck with Japanese cars and I can resonate with. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoyed this change of scenery, if you will. More Colorado car coverage will be on the way so stay tuned!