One of the most fundamental elements of any automotive subculture has to be the humble car meet. Set a date, time, location, invite fellow car enthusiasts and you have a recipe for a meet. However in Australia, being a car enthusiast – particularly one of the modified type – can be difficult at times. Strict modifying laws combined with negative stigma commonly portrayed by mainstream media sometimes lead to premature endings for organised car meets. It doesn’t help as well when individuals who are at a car meet draw unwanted attention from the local boys in blue by engaging in unnecessary Richard Cranium behaviour.

When I arrived at a recent car meet, hosted by the Queensland-based Downshift group, I knew the event was purposely kept low key as to avoid the above. Downshift hired out the entire Wallis Cinema Mainline Drive-in complex for a portion of the day and upon arriving at the venue, it was clear that they purposely minimised the potential for any unwanted attention by keeping the complex’s entrance subtle. Further, Downshift explicitly specified to all in attendance not to loiter around the venue’s entrance and exit in an attempt to eliminate any possible spectator-encouraged driver shenanigans; what an astute initiative.

The first cars my eyeballs immediately rolled to was a trio of s-chassis Nissans. Whether S12, S13, S14 or S15, the s-chassis has forever been one of the most popular models for modified car enthusiasts residing in South Australia. Unfortunately, due to their age and cost (can you believe that a zenki S14 is 25 years old in 2018!), clean and neatly modified examples are nowhere near a common sight in Adelaide relative to the past. So when I see a spotless Silvia/200SX in 2018 – like Ayden’s colour shifting S14a below – the experience is wholly fulfilling.

Modified Japanese sports cars made up most of the field with a couple of Euros throw in the mix.

Cliff Clayson has had considerable time experiencing the drifting and rotary lifestyle in Japan. His FD3S RX-7 drift car clearly reflects his experience and style with a loud shimmering-chameleon respray, genuine BN BLS body kit and slammed to the tarmac on a combo of super wide Volk TE37/TE37v rims. Clint’s FD sends its 371 kilowatts to the rear treads courtesy of a Borgwarner 83/74EFR snail. This RX-7 is definitely one of the finest presented drift cars currently living in Australia.

Another car wearing Volk TE37v shoes was this Halo EFX painted Z33. Combined with a rare Nismo Type 380RS body kit, the overall package is exquisitely stunning.

Interestingly, there are not one but two Superlite SL-C that reside in South Australia.

Slowlife boss – Jack Miller – brought along his latest ride, a Rocket Bunny V1 bodied Toyota 86. 18-inch Volk TE37SL rims makes for a winning combo, with the car’s entire style exemplifying contemporary modifying fashion.

Close by Jack’s car was another wide-bodied 86/BRZ. Rallybacker V2 body kit, outlandishly wide 18-inch Forgestar M14 rims (which are 10-inch wide -21 front and 12-inch wide -34 rear!) and boosted via a Garrett GT3071R, Lewis’ WR Blue BRZ rocks a charming and obverse custom plate.

Takumi x God Foot.

Thanks to that lovely teal shaded wrap, David’s hawkeye WRX Tuned by STI (one of 200 built) continues to gather attention at every car event he attends.

This particular S15 always makes me smile when I see it. I remember when my friend Duy purchased it in 2007 and installed a bunch of genuine Japanese goodies including a full Vertex body kit, 18-inch bronze Volk TE37 rims, Silkroad RMA8 coilovers, Trust front-mount, Origin LED tail lights, Yashio gear knob and more. He sold the car in 2010 but the S15 is still around, albeit with a new custom dark grey respray, C-West front bar and Work Meister S13P wheels amongst other changes.

S-chassis were well represented amongst a flood of all different types of models.

Downshift’s approach to this event was a prime example of how to organise a large car meet with as little unwanted attention as possible. The $10 entry fee also provided for a sausage sizzle and drink which I thought was a great way for both organiser and attendees to assist in the cause. Overall, a notably well organised first event from Downshift and I can’t wait to attend again the next time the group is in Adelaide.