Ever since we found out that Hector was running Spoon engines at Race Wars two decades ago, the Honda scene has become a mainstay in automotive.
In Australia we’re fortunate to have multiple global influences while forging our own identities with The Power of Dreams, which has led to a very, very strong Honda community country-wide.
At the end of 2020 there were EOY events held by two distinctly different crowds.
Held on the same weekend, Sydney Honda Club held theirs first on the Saturday. Done in conjunction with new media platform WeStance.Worldwide, Peter and I saw an impressive array of slammed, stanced, eye-catching street vehicles.
It’s great to see the new generation step up and plug into the scene, the demographic was definitely younger, which reflected the youth of Sydney Honda Club, only over a year old but already bustling with activity.
Sunday brought us the O.Gs of the 21st century Honda scene, the ClubITR Annual held at Benzin Cafe. ClubITR under the direction of club head Felix has been an influence for over a decade, and you could tell with the cars and the friends that turned up.
Track-based builds, OEM+ and restomod/restorations were aplenty, with a lot of high-quality, high-value JDM machinery and parts on display. The crowd not as boisterous, a passion matured through years of involvement and the experience of multiple builds, past successes and failures.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Honda community evolves over the next decade. The old Civics and Integras are no longer easy finds, nor are they bargains even if you took away the COVID tax.
Modern Hondas don’t retain that old school appeal, the affordability and performance credentials of their predecessors, we don’t have the same offerings that the Americans received. There are alternatives for young drivers looking for a cheap, sporty drive and a Honda is sadly no longer at the top of that list.
Until this becomes a problem though, long live VTEC!
Artisan Ape – Australia Representing!
W: @kawingkelvin
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