Daily Slideshow: TORC Brings All of the Toyota Family Together
Since subsuming the annual Toyota Owners and Restorers Club show in Southern California, All ToyotaFest has become the go-to event for all things Toyota, Lexus, and Scion—from domestic to Bosozoku, it was all there.
TORC Traditions
The Toyota Owners and Restorers Club, TORC for short, had long put on one of the best vintage car shows in Southern California, and by extension one of the best anywhere. TORC was founded in 1995 with the aim of promoting "the preservation, restoration, modification & use," of all things Toyota... made before 1985. The organization hosted their first show that same year, and the relaxed, fun atmosphere of the event was a hit. With 50 years of Toyota products to choose from there was never a shortage of automotive hardware, from small Starlets and R100s to capacious Crowns, from sexy Supras to countless Corollas, if it was pre-'85 there was a good chance you could catch it at a TORC show.
The question in any Lexus enthusiast's mind is bound to be, "what about us?" Lexus just missed the cut by a few years (1989), and Scion by a few more ('03-'16). It's a question that occurred to the powers that be at TORC too, and being the friendly chaps they are, they decided to open their arms and embrace '85-and-up Toyota offerings as well. With the advent of All ToyotaFest, late-model Supras, MR2s, and more turbos and AWD cars that you can shake a stick were welcomed to the annual TORC-organized gathering.
Toyotas on the Green
All that added Toyota goodness swelled the size of the show over the ensuing years, and two years ago it moved to new digs at the Marina Green in Long Beach, California. Race fans may recognize the strip of land since it's situated along the home straight of the Toyota Grand Prix route, in the city of Long Beach. Twenty Eighteen saw more than 600 vehicles pre-register for the show, including not only good people eager to show off their Toyota, Scion, and Lexus prides and joys, but also specials and introductions from Toyota itself. Let's take a look at a Lexus-heavy cross-section of the sights.
Lexus Parking
To check out the bulk of Lexus representation you needed only point yourself in the right direction and start walking, situated as the cars were near the center of the grounds. This stanced second-gen LS is as slammed as slammed can get, and the heavily dished wheels make it look hollow yet somehow heavier at the same time.
Opposite Block
If you got lost and wandered off in the opposite direction instead, you'd have come upon all sorts of Hiluxes, Tacomas, 4Runners, and the occasional Prius thrown in among the other the SUVs and trucks.
Toyota 2019
It's not every year that Toyota introduces a new Corolla, but with the 2019 Corolla coming out this year the company gave fans their choice of automatic or six-speed versions of the new Corolla to flog around an on-site autocross course, designed by driving champ Craig Stanton. Craig and his crew of expert instructors was on hand to personally chauffeur those who'd rather just hold on and enjoy the ride around a hot lap of the track.
Sports Coupe
We'd have happily spent most of the day ogling the numerous SCs in attendance, more than a few of which seemed to have sprung turbos since they left the factory.
Sport Coupe Too
The only thing more dangerous—to the competition—than an SC 300 with a turbo is an SC with a turbo and magnetic numbers on its side. This black SC meant business. Venturing away from the rest of the field and towards the water would bring you face to face with Vendor Alley, featuring a group of heavily-modified rides sporting various manufacturers' wares.
Bosoland
The organizers cleverly placed one of the bigger draws in one of the furthest corners of the complex: Bosozoku-themed Toyotas. Cressidas remained popular platforms for the movement's dropped, pipe-festooned, and shark-nosed rides.
Cleaner
Coming back to Earth, this clean IS 300's adopted F Sport insignias—they're on the brakes too—are a hint at its serious performance cred.
Cross Pollination
Speaking of adopted badging, this Scion Smart car shows that Lexuses weren't the only spindle-grilled cars sporting an "L" front and center.
Superb
One car that straddles the '85 TORC cut-off is the wedge-era-classic Supra. Like the SC300s, more than a few of these squared-off beauties acquired turbos over the years.
VIP
The only thing tighter than the panel gaps on this VIP'ed Lexus are the rim-to-fender clearances.
Humble 800
We couldn't resist showing you at least one very vintage vehicle from Toyota's storied yesteryears, and what better example than this jewel-like 800 model? To see what you missed or to keep up with the news, including updates on next year's event, head over to All ToyotaFest's website.
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