| 12.02.2018 – If you live in a densely populated area there’s not much space to go around when you’re into cars mainly the fast ones. The culture in this place is different from being used to reside in the same type of environment only way better. Usually, whenever you’re into motoring that means there are regular car meets not closed to a specific type of community.
But since you live in a very crowded place it’s understandable that this type of community becomes exclusive to a specific brand, make, or model of the vehicle that is popularly known. So car meets are not as generally open to the public that is where cars show like the Manila Auto Salon becomes that place where everyone can have the opportunity to see everything about the automotive culture. |
For its twelfth season, the Manila Auto Salon has catered to the general populace that is into this community. This is also the same event that celebrated the twenty-fourth anniversary of Sports Truck Show that featured a variety of Utes and modified cars that can be for off-road or for rally sport.
Entirely, MAS is not only about the shiniest cars of the baddest looking truck but what encompasses this culture namely the showgirls, exhibitors featuring things that you find interesting parts or tools to improve your vehicle, and everything that you don’t see in a car meet that is unique to this event. This event is different from the recently concluded PIMS (Philippine International Motor Show) about the latest innovation and car l launches that happens every other year, while MAS is an annual event that focuses on the automotive culture that has a variety of interest related from cars, trucks, ,and everything in-between that you don’t see in other local car shows held in Metro Manila.
There’s so much going on in the last three days of MAS, but even though you missed this event or not into it there are interesting sights and sounds about this car show. But at the end of the day, you’ll find that the main reason to be here is about the Customized Cars and Heavily Modified Utes that is mostly the highlight of this event and here some that clearly something worth looking at…
The OG Mustang
You don’t see an original Mustang being driven on the road quite often than seeing it in one car show just sitting there when the bonnet is opened showing its carbureted goodness how well-maintained and still pristine condition to be the only classic car around this event that is populated by high performance predecessors that has become common in the streets of Manila or any part of the city in Central Luzon.
Though no exact details was available while this car is on display it’s possibly between 1964 to 1968 model and it’s not a Fastback that will be an immediate rare and high valued model. This one hasn’t gotten much attention compared to its modern iterations, but if you’re into anything that has to do with heritage and history you’ll respect this first generation that simply nostalgic.
Mitsubishi Lancer GT
In the Philippines the Mitsubishi Lancer is a very popular car and most young Filipinos would prefer the box type, which is the second generation with clean and aerodynamic styling that has more European appearance than its previous models. The four-door sedan is already an iconic model in the Philippine motoring scene, but this one takes it to the next level aside from its more familiar aesthetics.
This 1987 Lancer GT has a different type engine which makes it even more special. Under its bonnet you will see DOHC 16 Valve Engine naturally aspirated that was tuned by AMG. If you’re familiar with name, AMG used to be an independent high performance brand that produced special engines exclusively for Mercedes Benz.
But back in the 1990s AMG was an unknown company in Europe that tuned engines and had partnered with Mitsubishi to produce a special engine for the Japanese company’s Galant model. This same type of engine was incorporated in this tiny four-door Lancer GT rally type that would be considered rare as AMG is now owned by Mercedes-Benz.
Toyota Hilux Tonka
The Hilux is Toyota’s legendary pick-up truck produced its first generation in 1968, but in other countries like in the US that name was retired and was replaced with the current Tacoma. In Australia however has a different story. Due to the huge terrain the Hilux has been a common Ute you’ll see namely in State Territory like South Australia.
In 2017 Toyota Australia introduced a concept Hilux Tonka truck that was first seen in the 2017 Sydney Motor Show and had rave reviews all over the world. Toyota and toymaker Tonka collaborated in this concept truck that unfortunately was not mass produced or sold for mass market. This was every adult’s dream come true and a mural photo of this truck can been seen when you enter CMI Toyota’s gates in Adelaide, South Australia. Back in the Philippines an independent company recreated the famous concept truck producing parts to make it closer to the original.
An Autobot Hilux Tonka truck seems like a mash up of Transformers with the iconic pick-up truck with those famous colors of the Tonka brand* (Hasbro owns Transformers and Tonka). You can easily see the difference from the original concept truck from Australia and the one that was displayed at MAS with the foglights, bumpers, and grills that adored the “Autobot” name not the familiar faction symbol of an alien race that was led by Optimus Prime.
You’ll find it difficult to look for this truck if you’re not familiar with it being displayed as far back to the wall inside the SMX Convention Centre. But you’ll not miss it if you have grown up playing with Tonka trucks in the dirt as this one certainly one of a kind in this year’s Manila Auto Salon.
A Handful of Classics
Manila Auto Salon is a diverse event but most of the cars and trucks featured are the high performance and modern type of vehicles. You’ll rarely see vintage ones besides the iconic Mustang that some are unfamiliar but they really stands out from the stream looking types. You’ve got an old Fiat and that shiny 1950s Ford F-150, and that black beauty that only shows its named badge “Sanggano.”
They are not your Instagram-type photos as most would have their selfies with the hottest ladies standing beside the sexiest car out there. For someone who rarely are into classics they are not diamonds in a rough but something different about them that stood out aside from being rare that if you missed it you’ll probably see them being driven on Sunday mornings just to keep those carbureted engines running on all cylinders.
Merchandise and Souvenirs
On top of everything automotive what most people go to this event are the merchandise, souvenirs, and of course freebies. You’ll find it the common thing you see in a car show that some people carrying two full show bags that have merchandise and giveaways that they won in one of the booths that held mini contests and games.
Of course, rarely you’ll find souvenirs though there are exhibitors that sell them from personalized plates for your car to collectible diecast toys for your kid or something for your office table when you go back to work on a Monday. There’s so much to go around to enjoy the car culture inside a big event like Manila Auto Show and it gets bigger every year.
“Manila Auto Salon” held at the SMX Convention Center from November 29 to December 2, 2018 with Entrance Fee at the door for ₱ 150.00 pesos. For more about the event follow Manila Auto Salon on social media via Facebook!
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