Story by Jamie Lake
Photography by RJ Lake (@nerdy.m3dia)
After a three-year absence, IMPORTEXPO Texas returned to the Austin area on August 1, bringing the show back to a crowd that was clearly ready for it. Spectators lined up around the building before the doors opened, giving an early indication that enthusiasts were eager to see IMPORTEXPO return to Texas.
Once inside, the show floor was packed with everything from clean street cars to full-on show builds, with plenty of different styles and platforms mixed throughout the venue.
Widebody cars were hard to miss, showing up on builds throughout the show. Beyond that, the floor covered plenty of ground, with imports, domestics, Euros, trucks, and more unconventional builds all sharing space under one roof.
Car clubs and teams were well represented too, with crews rolling in together and spending the day checking out each other's builds, catching up with friends, and taking in the rest of the show. That team presence gave IMPORTEXPO some of the atmosphere that comes from having people there for more than just an award.
Among the night's winners, Team 5Star earned Best Team, while Caleb Allison of Team Paragon took Best of Show with his fully built 2017 Roush Mustang.
After three years away, IMPORTEXPO was back in Texas, and the Austin-area crowd seemed ready for it. Between the turnout, the builds, and the groups that showed up to represent, there was plenty of reason to hope Texas finds its way back onto the IMPORTEXPO calendar more regularly.
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