On February 3rd, Caffeine and Octane held their second show of 2019. Although the city of Atlanta was packed for Super Bowl Sunday, Caffeine and Octane felt as packed as downtown Atlanta.
It's been awhile since I posted my photos from Caffeine and Octane on my blog. I usually go every month- last year I missed 2 shows (May and November), and I did attend last month's show. I think because I attend the show so often that I've run out of things to say. I enjoyed this month's show very much. Aside from running into some familiar faces, I did get to see some cars that I haven't seen before. Of course, I can expect to see a large turnout from the JDM market, as well as from Porsche, BMW, the Dodge Car Clubs, a sprinkle of Lamborghinis, etc.
... But then this pulled up. Atlanta unfortunately doesn't have a lot of Liberty Walk vehicles. The only one I remembered seeing was the Nissan GTR. Seeing this 458 did bring a tear to my eye. Another vehicle that brought a tear to my eye was....
this Chevy Impala for the most obvious reasons. I've always said that Lowriders have a special place in my heart because I love how they can take a rusty old car- which is what most of them start out as and turn it into rolling pieces of art. It takes a lot of work for that type of transformation. Growing up on Long Island, I've seen my fair share of the JDM and the luxury/exotic car world. Lowriders aren't a new concept, but I've only started seeing them in person within the last 10 years.
To see the rest of the photos, check out Bernie's Caffeine and Octane: February 2019 gallery. I would say that I will be attending March's show, but instead I decided to attend a show that has been on my bucket list for 2 years. Stay tuned.
First and foremost, I would like to wish everyone Happy New Year!!!! After the success of the Best of 2017 post last year, I decided to bring it back. 2018 was another great year of traveling to various cities, meeting new people, and of course- photographing some awesome cars. From the classic Bugatti Type 35 (the oldest car I've photographed of 2018) to a few Pagani Huayra BCs (hands down- the most expensive car- valued at $2.8 million- I've photographed of 2018), I've covered all cars in between and had so much fun shooting them.
Twin Turbo Lamborghini Huracan at Caffeine and Exotics
I've decided to start the recap with Atlanta's most exclusive car show, Caffeine and Exotics. Caffeine and Exotics is the younger sibling to Caffeine and Octane, which is Atlanta's most dependable car show. The mastermind behind Caffeine and Octane/Caffeine and Exotics, Bruce, wanted to switch things up a bit by moving the location of the show. From the beginning, Caffeine and Exotics was held at Lenox Square Mall- one of the premiere malls of Atlanta. Halfway through the year, the show was moved to City Springs, the new work/eat/live area of Sandy Springs, which is still the suburbs of Atlanta. Moving the show to a new location gave Caffeine and Exotics new energy.... and better backgrounds to shoot exotic and luxury cars.
Maserati GranTurismo on Forgiato Wheels at Whips By Wade's Certified Summer Car Show
This year, I broke a rule that I've set in place. Because I was let down in the past, I've told myself that I would never attend another first annual car show again. Whips By Wade held his first annual Certified Summer Car Show and on the flyer, it clearly stated "No stock cars or unfinished projects allowed in show area.” When I arrived to the Old Turner Field stadium on that faithful Sunday afternoon, I was not disappointed and that's coming from a person who is known for being honest about car shows. What I loved was that I got to see some cars that I'm familiar with, but I also spent time with cars that I've never seen before. Most importantly, stock and unfinished cars were forced to park in spectator parking.
Classic Chevy Donk on Starr Wheels at Dub Magazine's Car Show
I did have the opportunity to go to a show that I've never been to. As we all know, I'm familiar with Dub Magazine and even been to a few of their car shows. I've been to Charlotte, NC several times, this was the first time I’ve been there for a car show. Only four hours north of Atlanta, this was the closest Dub Car Show to my house. Some of the cars that were a part of the show have been in shows in Atlanta. I reunited with some of the cars weeks later at various shows. As for the majority of the cars- it was my first time seeing what the Carolinas had to offer.
Chevy Impala on Corleone Forged Wheels at Stuntfest
I missed Stuntfest in 2017, but I was able to make my triumphant return to the 10th Anniversary show. Stuntfest has proven themselves time and time again- regardless of the weather, the show will go on. Of course it rained, but the rain held off during the majority of the show. And you know what that meant- racing, racing, and more racing.
Mercedes Benz G63 AMG at the New York International Auto Show
Of course, there's one car show that will always have a piece of my heart- the New York Auto Show. I’m a native New Yorker and that’s one of the things that I’ve been proud to say. Aside from the location, this auto show also has a lot of cars that I don’t get to see every day as well as being among the first people to experience new vehicles. Living in Atlanta, if I want to see a Koenigsegg or a Pagani Huayra (especially under one roof), I have to go to New York or Las Vegas. But one of my favorite experiences from the New York Auto Show will have to go to resting in the back seat of the Mercedes Maybach. Those seats are extremely comfortable. Another favorite experience- Toyota paying homage to the most winningest team in North American sports history.
Box Chevy Caprice on Amani Forged Wheels at the King of the South Mega Show
Another dependable show that I always love to attend is the King of the South Mega Show. For the past three years, the King of the South Mega Show has been held at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Held by the Street Whipz team, this show gives enthusiasts the opportunity to show off their car in three ways- how it looks, how it sounds, and how it performs (since there is an opportunity to race at the track. It sounds very straight forward, but it’s hard because there’s a ridiculous amount of competition at this show.
Al and Ed's Autosound's Chevy Impala at Extreme Autofest
I did make to California this year and I decided to visit another familiar show- Extreme Autofest. Held in San Diego, Extreme Autofest provides a mixture of lowrider, tuner, and luxury cars, and I always have a great time attending the show. The very next day, I went to Cadillac Fest in City of Industry (outside of Los Angeles)- which is a show that is dedicated to Cadillac lowriders. While I was at the show, one of the attendees said to me that there's a weekly car meet in Compton. He told me the cross street of the location and I was able to find it. By the time I arrived to take photos, LAPD ran everyone away. It was packed to the point where traffic couldn't get through. At least I know for next year....
Dodge Race Car parked outside the Pennzoil booth at SEMA Show
Finally, the show that I love to end the year reminiscing over... SEMA. Technically, it's not a car show- it's a convention simply because it's not open to the public and business is conducted. However, I refer to the outside portion as a car show since there's food, entertainment, awards are given, etc. The 2018 SEMA Show was my ninth show and like last year, I landed (and hit the ground running) the day before the show. I can never, ever complain about SEMA. I'm around great people who share some of the same similarities as I do and photograph great vehicles while enjoying some great weather.
I've been to a lot of car shows. But there's that one show that always holds a special place in my heart which is the Speciality Equipment Marketing Association, better known as SEMA. I hold SEMA to a high regard and for the past nine years, SEMA hasn't failed me. Yes, I've been going to SEMA for nine years.
As we all know, I love a good car show, but technically SEMA isn't a car show- it's a trade show. It's a trade show that allows allows those in the automotive industry to see what’s new and the latest trends as well as how the product enhances the look of a vehicle, network with companies, learn how to grow your business in various ways, and also hobnob with some celebrities in the automotive world. Attendees from as close as down the street to as far away as Australia gathered together at the Las Vegas Convention Center to celebrate what was SEMA’s 52nd show.
I've said it many, many times that "I live for SEMA". When I arrived at the convention center, I don't think the car completely stopped when I jumped out. Barely surviving off of four hours of sleep, I could not stop smiling. Once I’m done crying tears of joy, I dive right into the chaos- I meet great people who share some of the same similarities as I do and photograph great vehicles while enjoying some great weather.
Last year, I made the best decision by landing the day before the show started. It gave me a chance to get a head start with the majority of the outdoor photos. I had the opportunity to watch the crew scramble to get everything together in time for the next day. I watched as Forgiato wheel company move cars around, Liberty Walk applying decals to the vehicles in their booth, contractors laying down carpet, detailers washing cars, owners putting that final coat of tire shine on their prized possessions. Yes, I was in the way of many people, taking in all the energy.
As far as trends that I've noticed- paint is dead. There were a lot of wrapped vehicles- both in chrome, glossy, and matte finishes. There were a ton of full sized trucks on raised suspension. Toyo Tires was definitely the tire of choice and I'm sure they went through a lot of them in the Hoonigan area, the most popular wheel companies were Rotiform, Forgiato, and Savini (however Vossen Wheels and HRE Performance Wheels were the runner ups) wide body cars, there were a lot of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Nissan GTRs, but there were more exotic vehicles this year- two Pagani Huartas (the one parked outside wasn't roped off), a Koenigsegg Agera RS (that wasn't roped off), a Lamborghini Centenario (that wasn't roped off) and a Bugatti Veyron (that wasn't roped off at first, but eventually was roped off). I was reunited with the Lamborghini Urus. I was first introduced to it earlier this year at the New York Auto Show, but thankfully, Giovanna Wheels was the only company that brought one to SEMA. However...
Forgiato wheels brought the most photographed and talked about vehicle. This was Marketing 101.
At the end of the day, I had a fabulous time in Vegas and I will return next year for my tenth SEMA Show. I still have a lot of photos to post, but I didn't want to hold up this post. So to see photos from this year's SEMA Show, click on the link for each day- SEMA Sneak Peek, Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4. And yes, I was sad during SEMA Ignited because it marked the end of the 2018 SEMA Show.
Last Saturday, Caffeine and Octane as well as Clean Culture teamed up and held a Stadium Showcase car show. Held at the former home of the Atlanta Braves, the old Turner Field, this show was a little different. I've been to car shows at Turner Field, but I've never been to a car show in Turner Field. The cars weren't on the field, however, they were in the hallways of the stadium, which is something new.
This Atlanta Stadium Showcase provided import/tuner cars, as well as luxury and classic cars. To be honest, I didn't know what I was in for, I expected cars to be behind the gates of the stadium, but I really didn't expect them to be throughout the stadium.
I know it's been awhile since I've posted, but I'm back with coverage to show from the last car show I've attended. This past Sunday, Caffeine and Exotics held their third show of 2018, however, this show was a little different. Normally I would type "Held in the main parking lot of Atlanta’s Lenox Square Mall, Caffeine and Exotics is the younger, more exclusive sibling to Caffeine and Octane." The latter will never change, because it will always be the younger, more exclusive show compared to Caffeine and Octane.
To switch things up, Caffeine and Exotics decided to change the venue of the show. In the past, it was held in the main parking lot of Lenox Square Mall, in the Buckhead section of Atlanta. This time, it was held in City Springs, the new work/eat/live area of Sandy Springs, which is still the suburbs of Atlanta. I'm programmed to travel to shows and when I heard that Caffeine and Exotics was relocating to a new venue that is less than 2 miles from my house, I was shocked, but happy.
Aside from the distance, the other aspect that I loved about the new location is the amount of space between each of the cars. Sometimes at car shows, people tend to park as if they're going to a store instead of parking to show off the car. Spectators now had the opportunity to really appreciate the car.
Just because the venue changed, it doesn't mean that the rules did. Caffeine and Exotics stayed true to their name by providing enough high end vehicles for everyone to drool over. From the McLaren 720S, some Lamborghini Gallardos/Huracans/Aventadors, Audi R8s, Ferrari 458s and 488s, Rolls Royce Dawn, Porsche GT3s, Nissan GTRs, a timeless Bugatti, and of course the sedan with the most comfortable rear seats- the Mercedes Maybach, there was more than enough to keep the attendees entertained.
