ToyotaFest 2009

I know it seems unlikely to those who grew up in places where cars rust, or if you’re old enough to have looked askance at Japanese cars when they started rolling out on American soil in larger numbers, but there was a ToyotaFest this past Saturday. More than 350 Toyotas of all sorts showed up: Corollas, Starlets, a lone original-owner Tercel, plenty of Celicas, Supras, AE86s, MR2s, two red LHD Toyota 2000GTs, more Cressidas than we’ve ever seen in one place since they were sold new, and more Scion XBs than you would know what to do with. There was even an all-original, unrestored ‘58 Crown.

The nicest thing about events like ToyotaFest is that everyone respects everyone else. The XB folks appreciate the old-school stuff, the street-stock crowd seemed interested in the latest and greatest mods that people were making to their cars, the rear-drive faithful didn’t speak ill of the front-drive brigade, and young and old alike appreciated each other’s efforts. It’s an atmosphere that a lot of other car shows would be wise to emulate.