The Roosevelt Row Arts District in downtown Phoenix is home to some of the region’s most popular art galleries, restaurants, and boutique shops. It was named, unsurprisingly, for the 26th president of the United States. The Roosevelt Historic District was the first neighborhood in Phoenix to be designated as such. The area has since become a hot spot for car culture, and the Kyusha Club has held two successful meetups there so far in 2024. Here is a story from the event back in September.
Everyone was back at it again with an even bigger program in late November. Refreshments came in the form of boba tea and drip coffee from Joypop, while Stoop Kid provided delicious breakfast foods for anyone with a hankering. There was plenty of eye-candy to savor, too, and these were a few of my favorite vehicles in attendance:
1985 Porsche 911
Introduced in 1964, the 911 is a forever favorite for collectors. The original iconic streamlined design remains popular today, and it’s hard to believe that cars like this one from the 1980s are about 40 years old. In 1985, the 911 had a 3.2-liter air-cooled flat six engine, a five-speed manual transmission, and four-wheel disc brakes. The car could accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in 6.2 seconds, making it a strong performer during an era when so many vehicles were burdened with “Malaise” driving dynamics.
1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E
My favorite of the show was this one-family-owned red Benz sedan (with a five-speed manual transmission, no less!). I was lucky enough to talk with its current owner, and he told me that his dad bought the car new.
The black bumpers and simple wheel covers gave it a clean (if not basic) appearance, and at only 92,000 miles, it was factory-original in almost every way. The “W201” chassis 190E could be outfitted with a few different engine choices including a 2.3-liter straight-six at 182 horsepower. Believe it or not, this car is currently being used as a daily driver.
1987 Toyota 4Runner SR5
The first-generation 4Runner compact sport-utility vehicle went by the model code “N60” and debuted in 1984. It gained instant notoriety for its all-terrain capability and its long-term reliability. I loved the wheel, tire, and suspension setup on this SR5, as well as the retro-inspired gradient graphics on the exterior. For a convertible-style experience, the color-matched hardtop could be removed (similar to the Ford Bronco and Chevrolet K5 Blazer). Sign me up for a weekend campout with this one.
1990 Audi Coupe Quattro
The pearl white exterior of this three-door liftback from the 1990s gave it an upscale appearance, and the condition was unbelievably nice for the car’s age. The “B3” coupe was assembled in Ingolstadt, Germany, from 1988 through 1996. In 1990, the Coupe Quattro went on sale, and it was only offered for 1990 and 1991. Power came from a 2.3-liter inline-five along with a five-speed manual transmission. Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel drive system was engineered and refined for competition racing.
1997 BMW M3
I’ve loved the E36 since it first came out in the North American market in 1992. This compact executive car raised the bar for design and performance, and the M3 was the cream of the crop. Post-facelift models (from 1996 onward) were powered by the 3.2-liter “S52” inline six mated to a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission. BMW claimed, “The M3 isn’t just built for car fanatics. It’s built by them.” The clean silver paint finish, color-keyed rocker panels, tinted windows, and spoiler really set this one off.
1997 Toyota Supra Turbo
When this Deep Jewel Green Metallic Supra “Mk4” rolled into the Kyusha show, everyone turned to look – and for good reason. It was drop-dead gorgeous from top to bottom, and it sounded beastly. The rare “Limited Edition” came with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, a six-speed manual transmission, a limited-slip differential, and a removable Targa roof. The Supra is beloved among enthusiasts, and well-kept examples have soared in marketplace value over the last decade or more.
1998 Nissan 240SX SE
In tuner and “drift” cultures, the S14-chassis 240SX readily became one of the most popular cars in the world as a platform for modification. It had a lightweight chassis, rear-wheel drive, and an energetic 2.4-liter engine with a five-speed manual transmission. Nowadays, it has become exceedingly difficult to find a 240SX in decent condition, and this sleek black SE had just the right amount of personal touch added including Blitz wheels, BFGoodrich tires, an OEM spoiler, and tinted windows.
With the strong momentum carrying the Kyusha Club forward, the meetup will inevitably prove to be a staple event for car enthusiasts in the southwest region. We look forward to its action-packed future!
Comments are closed