There's Only One 86FEST

September 25, 2014
Story By
Justin Pagtalunan

The classic Toyota Corolla platform, more popularly known as the AE86, has developed a following of very passionate enthusiasts that have stood strong over the generations. Sure, it was a small niche audience, but they were loyal. Enter the Scion FR-S/ Subaru BRZ a few years back and that niche audience ballooned into mainstream. The FR-S is the hottest sports compact on the market and enthusiasts have embraced it's wide opportunities for modifications.

Antonio, an avid AE86 enthusiast himself, along with the rest of his MotorMavens crew, saw the opportunity 3 years ago to fuse the new school with the old and bring resurgence to the "86 lifestyle" which now includes the Scion FR-S. 86fest was born, and 3 years later it's bigger than ever! For 2014 it was held at Irwindale Speedway, and even with the weather bordering on hot, the masses came to enjoy the day. The best way to get a feel for the 86 lifestyle is to admire both new and old school - so I've paired up the AE86's with the FR-S's that caught my attention the strongest for a little fun "86 5-on-5."

Long Livery the 86

JSP Fab's AE86 f20c VS. Michele Abbate's Scion FR-S

JSP Fab is known for fabricating quality builds of all sorts, so of course you wouldn't expect anything less for their AE86. In only a few weeks they dug this car out from the back of the shop and hosed down the dust that it had been collecting. Could you believe that in a little amount of time they were able take it apart, restore it, modify it, and slap on this livery in time for 86fest?

It was literally 2 days before the show when they posted a bare engine bay. Come show day a F20C (from a Honda S2000) stuffed the space, outfitted with a Garrett turbo kit and making it scarier than a bear!

Track star and Nitto Sponsored, Scion Racing's Michele Abbate was out there with her brand new FR-S greeting fans and signing autographs. Starting from go-kart racing then moving up the ranks and now she's here, winning national awards left and right. The livery is a great representation of her; it gives a lot of credit to her sponsors who help her so much, it pays homage to her patriotic pride, and trademark "Grr" to let everybody know she always has her game face on. A very inspiring, motivated driver, I wish her nothing but success as she continues her career.

Shopzilla

MV Designz' AE86 VS. Killagram's "Financial Mistake" FR-S

When Mike, owner of MV Designz, isn't building project cars...he's still building project cars! At least this isn't one he's got to ship out right away to a client! Mike brought out one of his AE86 restoration projects to 86fest. It's always nice to have a reputable shop work on your car and bring the vision alive, it's even better when you own the shop! The white on white is very clean and goes well with the gutted out interior.

David, a successful photographer, has recently made a big splash into this scene recently by adding this Rocket Bunny Scion FR-S to his arsenal. Since taking ownership, the modifications have been done at home, but before that this FR-S was fortunate enough to fall into the hands of LTMW where the Rocket Bunny kit was installed on it, taking it to where it is now.

Legend has it that the Rocket Bunny kit was ordered before the FR-S was even purchased! This is one financial mistake I'm sure David is very happy to have made.

Whoa in the Show, Freak in the Streets

Steve E/Bluemoon Performance's Levin VS. SuperStreet's Project Garage FR-S

I met Steve by sheer luck back when he was still working for CUSCO USA and I was barely getting into the scene (the CUSCO strut bar was technically my first legit modification). A humble, nice guy, I never knew how big of an AE86 enthusiast he was until later. And he didn't boast about it, I learned just by seeing his AE86 that has been fully converted as a Levin and then later seeing articles about his build. He's done just about everything imaginable to make it his own while staying true to authentic parts.

And when he's not quietly killing it at shows, he can be a terror on the track with his powerful Tomei build engine.

Garage FR-S was built by SuperStreet around the time the FR-S made its debut. It was like everyone who was anyone was building an FR-S, so of course with SuperStreet being who they are, they needed to make sure theirs was of the upper echelon. Rocket Bunny kit, Safety 21 roll cage, BBS wheels, and that deep green paint job all make this a crowd favorite either on magazine covers or at car shows.

But this isn't one of those cars you see locked up; this one arrived fashionably late to 86fest, just after finishing in its second Targa Trophy run.

Tag-Team

Antonio's AE86's VS. Ken Gushi's GReddy FR-S's

The man of the hour, Antonio Alvendia, featured both of this pristine AE86's at 86fest. These are his pride and joys and it's clear by the quality of these classics that Antonio has a very, very strong passion for what he does. Owning one restored AE86 is something, but two? His "Zenki" (1983-85) is equipped with some silver Work Equips, while his "Kouki" (1986-87) has a freshly refinished gold RS Wantabe's.

On the other side of things, Ken Gushi's "work" vehicles were in attendance at the GReddy booth. Ken is one of Scion Racing's stars in the competitive motorsports world and has a very big fan base. Growing up around cars and learning what it takes to race them, he's living the dream now being able to run with a pair of Scion FR-S's. The black FR-S is his drifter, which has the famous turbocharged 2JZ engine dropped in it. And the white one is a new addition; the turbocharged boxer engine is perfect for when he takes this one out in competition to the Pikes Peak Hill Climb.

Simple and Clean

Volk Racing AE86 VS. Meng's FRS86

It's come down to my personal two favorite 86's at the show and it's all about how proper they both are put together. Most AE86's you see are either in a popular red or an Initial D-esque white, but for this AE86 sitting at the Mackin Industries booth, the blue looks so majestic. Matching it with super clean white TE37's make this an instant classic that made it difficult for me to pull away from. Less is more and simple and clean is king; this one is flawless.

Meng, co-founder of FRS86 and their newly opened shop AutoTuned, has changed the look of his FR-S more times than I've changed my hairstyle. From Hot Lava to Matte Blue Lagoon to Burgundy; from RPF1's to Emotions to Gram Lights to TE37's; from a carbon fiber lip to a BRZ conversion to a Vertex kit; so many changes, but each one has been superb and a definite connection to his personality. What's new this time, I mean besides everything? A Jackson Racing turbo kit to feed his new hunger for taking his car out on the track. Oh, and his tires of choice when he's practicing his drifting, always Nittos of course!

Honorable Mention

LTMW Nitto Rocket Bunny BRZ

86fest coverage wouldn't be complete without at least one BRZ sighting, and Phuong Le's awesome Nitto Rocket Bunny BRZ built by LTMW is worth mentioning. There were tons upon tons of FR-S's, BRZ's, AE86's, and a bunch of other rides in the show car and general parking areas - each appearing in anywhere from stock to in-progress to completed, some even from out of state! This was really a great way to bring all sorts of people together to appreciate the 86 lifestyle, then and now. Enjoy! It's time for me to eighty-six outta here! (@justdayuum)