Driven Calgary 2019
Driven Calgary is a great excuse to spend the first week of May in Calgary. It also serves (in my mind) as the start of car season in Alberta. Last year we were greeted with hot weather and sunshine. This year, we weren’t so lucky…
Hmmmm…
Thankfully, the questionable weather didn’t deter from the event. I feel the organizers intentionally reduced the number of entries compared to last year. The venue wasn’t packed full of cars, but for a photographer (and an admirer of cars) it was a welcome change. There was enough space between most vehicles to get decent photos and try out more angles. So without further ado, my coverage of the event!
@setorepmedia ‘s 993 getting a live air suspension install in preparation to be RWB’d at Edmonton Driven (June 8 people, mark your calendars!)
@sakurauchi_sti gets a special shout out because I don’t think people 1) do itasha enough and 2) execute it well with a car that isn’t JUST the itasha. This car’s got aero, widebody, wheels…the entire package. Also decent choice of waifu.
Japanese car but fuck JDM, right? Good wheel fitment though.
Audi TT on the revered BBS LMs and probably the most hilarious wrap of the show. Works amazingly well though.
F30 335i slammed on air with the digi-camo style wrap. Maybe a bit overplayed at this point, but still well executed.
There wasn’t much of a doubt, but this 740IL won best stance. The Work Emitz wheels are perfect.
Hako + Work Equip 01’s…I’ve seen this local Edmonton car many times but its condition impresses me every time.
Liberty Walk G35 with Work Meister M1 3 piece wheels. The setup has stayed the same the past 3-4 years but still looks great.
@renn.s’ STi. Still a favorite of mine due to its aggressiveness but retaining overall simplicity.
There was a bit of R34 GT-R overload at the show. Being as rare (and as expensive) as they are, there were 3 at this show and may have lost a bit of their “special-ness”. I think the other half of the issue is that there are only a few R34 GT-Rs in Alberta and I’ve probably seen them all. What a first world privilege that is, especially considering the States can’t even import and register them legally yet!
E63 AMG Wagon? YES YES YES! It’s also for sale, but I’m sure that 1) I can’t afford it and 2) I can’t afford the maintenance
Clean MKIV supra. Somewhat questionable panel fitment though…
Widebody RX7? Work Meister M1 3pc? Boso style exhaust? Yes to all the above
Best license plate, made more epic due to the 2JZ under the hood
Clean and tastefully modified 350Z on TE37’s. One of my favorite colors for TE’s!
Coolest car at the show? It was for me. Molded body, RB26, full cage, and cameras for side view mirrors. This dude living in 2099.
Fits like a glove
Office view
RS7 on Rotforms. Being on air suspension though, I don’t understand why there’s still a wheel gap…just slam it dude.
997.1 with a duck tail spoiler. I thought about doing something like this with my car, but I appreciate the adjustable spoiler too much.
Engine swap RX-7’s was a recurring theme. This one has a 2JZ heart
Nice contrast with the white wheels and pearlescent purple body
F7LTHY brought out 3 cars from Vancouver. All Liberty Walk Widebodies, all immaculate. This Ferrari 458 had a custom tattoo-inspired design on the wrap.
The Acura NSX is one of the best looking LB widebodies. Being a very angular car from factory, the LB fenders match the lines of the car well.
That chassis mount wing works well for an aggressive car like this GT-R
The other Liberty Walk GT-R in attendance was this red one, which was raffled off by 80eighty. I believe the winner is an Edmontonian, which is surprising but very cool nonetheless.
The rock chips in the front bumper are a bit sad (paint protection saves lives, people), but at least it means the car is driven
At first glance, this R32 looked like a nice stanced VW with a homage 911 RS livery, but upon closer inspection…
Whewwwww Porsche brakes and HRE wheels. Beautiful combo!
This TTRS was one of my favorites at the show. It was also one of the few cars that decided to run winter tires (smart). I love the OZ Racing rally wheels. It must be a blast to drive in winter!
Another Rallybacker kit in Alberta, and it is on a very low FRS.
VS-XX will continue to be one of my favorite wheels
Best S15 in the show. @bignjpns15 ‘s car is perfect. Great choice of aero. I like the meatier tires as well, and the spray painted tires remind me of the No Good Racing EK Civics of Kanjo fame.
It may be a “poor man’s Porsche” but this 944 is immaculate.
Purple G35 with deep dish VS-XX. Fitment is super tight
The carbon fiber rear fenders are unreal. Also, Advan GTs are the new TE37’s. See ‘em everywhere!
Got tofu bro? (the answer is yes, since there was a bucket of tofu right beside the car)
There’s something about wagons that I love. Practicality + car-like handling. This BMW would be an ideal road trip vehicle, especially if you wanted to attack some twisty roads but still haul all your camping gear.
ZE40s with some carbon fiber accents. It’s a perfect daily
I’ve seen more cars slammed on TE’s and I like it. A mix of race car and show car (emphasizing show car though, obviously)
A set of gold Advan RGII’s with a very cool brake setup behind it. I have no clue what calliper it is, but if you do, let me know.
That concludes my Driven Calgary coverage. Overall, great show and saw a lot of new and familiar faces. Excited for the rest of show season and all that it has to offer!
Cheers,
Gary