I caught wind through some colleagues of mine here at eEuroparts that the first big car show of the season was going to be poking up in Bristol, CT over the weekend.  The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the exhaust notes were brapapaping.  It was ‘Dubs on Defrost’, a show that called upon everyone with a machine that was capable of moving under its own power to come out and be among the community.  Judging by the title, this show started out as purely a modified Volkswagen themed event, but it has obviously grown into something much bigger.  Sure, there was no shortage of slammed vdubs dragging their bellies over the fairground, but they were joined by numerous other makes.  The non VW German tuner society was out in force, with a significant showing of BMW’s, Audi’s, a sprinkling of Mercedes, with a pinch of Japanese Bosozoku/Zokusha for comic relief.

Stance is king among this crowd, and the king commands it’s followers to their knees before him.  Stretch, poke, tuck, slammed, bagged (really, I’m not just listing this for Google) are all terms that read like a checklist to the modern tuner subculture.  Really, the prime objective is to be as low as possible, simple as that.  Many cars were riding on air bag suspension, and could be found laying all over the area on their frame rails.  Hard Parked.  The alternative to air ride is of course the dubious static drop, resulting in a permanent fixed ride height.  It’s a lifestyle choice, like facial tattoos, that can drive haters nuts.  Personally I prefer a car that can clear a speed bump (or a very shallow incline), but I don’t discriminate.

That’s why I loved the show.  Even though many of the cars were lowered to the point of non-functionality, each one was the culmination of careful thought and preparation.  Color schemes, rim combos, suspension mods, engine tuning, and a large dollop of self-deprecating satire.  Everyone came out to have a good time and enjoy the sunshine with all of our favorite hobby material, and how can any hater find problem with that…don’t answer that.  So sit back, forget about Obamacare for a little while, and take a look at a few of the pictures I took yesterday.

 

The complete lack of SAABs was a bit puzzling.  Is this culture the anti-swede?  Does the command of function over form ruin all possibility of building a show SAAB?  Tell us in the comments, we are always looking for a new project car, and our favorite make is in dire need of representation!