Long Beach, CA – October 31, 2025. The pulse of sport-compact culture is beating stronger than ever, and nowhere was this more evident than at the Super Street After Dark event, which recently illuminated the city of Long Beach. More than just a car show, this unique night proved that the Super Street brand’s legacy of speed, style, and community is not only intact but actively thriving, drawing a massive crowd of enthusiasts and the wildest builds from Southern California and beyond.
A Return to the Streets: JDM Culture Takes Center Stage
Since establishing itself in the mid-1990s, Super Street has been a foundational force in transforming JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) car culture from a niche underground movement into a global phenomenon. Moving from the printed page to a digital and social media empire, the brand successfully returned to its roots with the latest iteration of its “After Dark” meet.
Teaming up with MotorTrend Events and key sponsors like Sylvania, Honda, and Liqui Moly, the team orchestrated what quickly became one of the most talked-about car gatherings of the year. The event, housed in a warehouse and surrounding neighborhood, created a palpable, electric atmosphere that many attendees noted was deeply reminiscent of the authentic, high-octane street vibe captured in the early Fast and Furious movies, a franchise pivotal to the scene’s global explosion.
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Sold Out Success and a Curated Showcase
The Super Street After Dark event in 2025 built on the success of last year, with organizers successfully selling out all 266 car show spots. While Sylvania provided brilliant lighting to showcase the metal, Honda paid homage to its heritage by displaying a range of past models alongside its latest concept, the new Prelude.
The showcase was a feast for the eyes, featuring everything from meticulously restored iconic Hondas to some of SoCal’s most extreme custom builds. Adding a dose of cinematic nostalgia, Shahar Shawn Algazy presented a collection of Fast and Furious replica cars, which were prominently displayed and received rave reviews for their authenticity.
The Elite Top 10 Award Winners
A highlight of the night was the selection of the Top 10 Vehicles, judged by an elite panel of industry heavyweights and insiders. The winners were awarded a custom skateboard deck and a Sylvania gift certificate. The judges who had the challenging task of selecting the best included:
- Bizi Ezerioha (CEO and chief engineer for Bisimoto Engineering)
- RJ de Vera (VP of marketing, SEMA)
- Sam Du (former Super Street editor-in-chief)
- Sonya “Slidez” Klaus (pro driver and storyteller)
- Jofel Tolosa (Super Street and MotorTrend)
The diverse winning list celebrated both pristine JDM legends and standout European models:
| Vehicle Model | Year | Owner/Builder |
| Mazda RX-7 | 1993 | Mike Wedl |
| Porsche 911E Coupe (Euro) | 1970 | Max Vincenzi/Retrowerks |
| Toyota Corolla | 1985 | Ka Wong |
| Honda S2000 | 2007 | Luong Tran |
| Subaru STI | 2015 | Salvador Arriaga |
| Toyota Sprinter Trueno | 1984 | Tommy Wu |
| Nissan Silvia S15 Spec R | 1999 | Alex Rosenburg |
| Acura NSX | 1992 | Jose Mejia |
| Acura Integra Type R | 2000 | Ariel Gutierrez |
| Honda Civic Type R | N/A | Access Garage |
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Celebrities and Influencers Join the Scene
The event drew big names, further cementing its status as a must-attend gathering for the automotive world. Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks showed his passion for the culture by rolling his mildly modified Nissan R34 Skyline GTR into the warehouse’one of many R34S to grace the event.
Also in attendance were Super Street legends like former editor-in-chief and Super Street Garage host, John “Nads” Naderi, who hard-parked his unique Honda Civic, complete with a BMX bike on the roof. His co-host, Amir Bentatou, was seen connecting with local enthusiasts. Car icon Big Mike also presented his famous Honda Prelude, a build that has previously made headlines on numerous magazine covers.
Other notable influencers who mingled with the thousands of fans included Miguel Martinez, Arisa Mizuhara, Mickey Andrade, Fadean Lam, Will Ignacio, and Dionne Mascunana.
Looking Ahead: The 30th Anniversary is Coming
For anyone who missed this unforgettable Long Beach night, there’s already major news on the horizon: the Super Street team announced they are planning to go even bigger in 2026 to celebrate the brand’s 30th anniversary.
The success of Super Street After Dark 2025 serves as a powerful reminder that, whether in print, digital, or on the street, the culture of speed, style, and community that Super Street helped pioneer remains a dominant force in the global automotive landscape.
Are you interested in a deeper look at the significance of JDM cars like the Nissan R34 Skyline GTR or the 30th-anniversary plans for Super Street?
FAQs
What is JDM, and why do people love those cars?
JDM stands for Japanese Domestic Market. It means the car or parts were originally made to be sold only in Japan. People love them because they are often cool-looking, have fast, high-tech engines, and are famous for being easy to customize and make faster (a lot of them were in movies and video games, too!).
What was the Super Street After Dark event actually about?
It was a huge, exciting nighttime car meet and party held by the magazine Super Street in Long Beach. The main point was to celebrate JDM car culture’things like modified Hondas, Acuras, Nissans, and Toyotas’and bring car fans together. It was an opportunity for owners to showcase their most impressive and fastest custom cars.
Which cars were the absolute best at the show?
A panel of famous car experts picked a “Top 10” list. The winners included some legendary cars, such as a 1993 Mazda RX-7, a 1992 Acura NSX, a classic 1985 Toyota Corolla, and a modern Honda Civic Type R. The lineup featured a mix of brand-new, high-end cars and old, restored classics.
What does it mean to “hard park” a car?
Hard park” is a phrase used by car enthusiasts. It just means you parked your car in a good spot to show it off, usually when the car is very clean, nicely customized, and not being moved for a long time. It’s like putting a piece of art on display.
Were there any famous people at the car meet?
Yes! A few famous people from the car world and even sports came. A former professional football player, Eric Kendricks, brought his Nissan R34 Skyline GTR. Also, some original magazine editors and hosts of car shows, like John Naderi, were there with their own cars.
What do all the company names like Sylvania and Liqui Moly have to do with the show?
These companies were the sponsors of the event, meaning they helped pay for and support the huge party. Sylvania makes car lights and helps light up the night. Liqui Moly makes engine oils and fluids. They were there to show off their products to car enthusiasts.
Why did they say the car meet felt like the Fast and Furious movies?
The car show was held at night in a warehouse area, and it had a huge crowd, loud music, and a lot of highly modified, colorful sports cars. This atmosphere, especially with famous replica cars from the movies on display, made it feel just like the street racing scene shown in the early Fast and Furious films.
What is the significance of the Honda Prelude they showed?
The Honda Prelude is an important car in JDM history because it was a popular sports coupe before cars like the Civic Type R took over. Honda used the car show to display their all-new Prelude and show respect to the old versions of the car, reminding everyone of their long history of making cool sports cars.
Who were the judges who picked the best cars?
The judges were some of the most respected people in the car industry. They included famous engine builder Bizi Ezerioha, marketing executive RJ de Vera, and the former top editor of the magazine, Sam Du. They were chosen because they know everything about car style, performance, and culture.
Will this car show happen again next year?
Yes, absolutely! The team is already planning a much bigger event in 2026. That year will be a huge milestone because it’s the 30th anniversary of the magazine, so they promised to make the next car show even grander.
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