Reflections on the 23rd Trans Sport Show

Of course, the one that started it all still has to prove its point. Last May 22, 2014 saw yet another successful edition of the country’s longest running auto show, the Trans Sport Show at the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall Of Asia Pasay City. Now on its 23rd running, the Trans Sport Show once again was packed with some of the country’s notable automotive icons, ranging from the classics to the moderns, and in addition, the motor show also showcased the latest in automotive care and maintenance products. Chalk it up to the dedicated people behind Trade Show International and their event organizing prowess to constantly pull off one successful event after another.

the event served as some sort of a memory lane, connecting the past to the present.

True to its slogan for this year, “Fuels a Driving Generation”, the event served as some sort of a memory lane, connecting the past to the present. Highlights include what was perhaps the event’s grand daddy, a well-restored 1902 De Laton. Starting from that, a stream of nostalgia pours out. A 1917 Dodge Phaeton graced the occasion, followed by a 1933 Morgan Super Sports, a 1956 Porsche 356, a 1966 Volkswagen Beetle Buggy, a 1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle, and a 1972 Datsun 240Z.

Aside from those, a few notable Ford Mustang muscle cars that have gained a celebrity status were also on display, like the 1967 Ford Mustang Mach 1/Shelby Eleanor, a famous car from the Gone In 60 Seconds movie, and a 1968 Ford Mustang Bullitt, which was made famous by the late great American actor and professional racecar driver Steve McQueen in his 1968 film “Bullitt”.

Fast-forwarding the trip down memory lane to a more recent time, a number of modern icons were also present. Among such names include Toyota’s most popular entry-level sports car from the 80’s, the AE86 Trueno, which is complemented by the Japanese automaker’s latest entry-level hot shot, the GT-86. which was also the event’s official display car just outside the event area. Current generation Mini Coopers were also there to make things more up-beat.

Supercars? Yup! Supercars also had their spot in this year’s Trans Sport Show, and pulling in a number of onlookers and photographers alike is the presence of a 2012 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, a Ferrari 458 Italia, and a Maserati Ghibili SQ4 which appears in tandem with its predecessor, a 1971 Maserati Ghibili 4.9 SS.

Looks can be deceiving indeed, as the British luxury automaker Morgan Motors went all out and made things amusing with their latest model, the 2014 Morgan Three-Wheeler. A literal MODERN CLASSIC in every sense of the phrase, the Three Wheeler, being a Morgan, comes equipped with today’s latest trends in automotive technology, all encased in a classically-styled body shell that relates so well with our grandparents of moms and dads.

Philippine honor and ingenuity takes center stage as the country’s first “supercar” made its motor show debut.

Finally, Philippine honor and ingenuity takes center stage as the country’s first “supercar” made its motor show debut. Factor Aurelio Automobile’s 2014 Factor Aurelio Custom Supercar is a work of art, proudly made by a Filipino, for the Filipino. From its grassroots as a concept car by Semiano Aurelio Jr. and his San Pedro Laguna based Farcto Aurelio Automobile, this Pinoy Prototype Supercar can reach a dizzying maximum speed of over 300kph, which is achieved via a mid-rear mounted souped-up 4G63 Turbocharged 16-Valve engine, capable of belting out 457bhp. Hand-built using light-weight reinforced fiberglass materials, the Factor Aurelio Prototype Supercar is a fast and agile road fighter and is a sight to behold on a stand-still, and even more so in motion.

In closing, this year’s Trans Sport Show was a resounding success, and was able to really be an instrument of unity, bridging the gap between the old and the new, and successfully paving the way for the future, fueling a driving generation indeed.