Revving Up the Night
On Saturday, October 25, 2025, Superstreet After Dark lit up Long Beach with a high-octane celebration of sport-compact and tuner culture. As the sun dipped behind the skyline, the sound of revving engines and the glow of headlights transformed the venue into a festival of style and creativity.
The turnout was impressive. Enthusiasts from across Southern California came together to enjoy a night filled with modified imports, custom builds, live DJs, food trucks, and rows of vendor booths. The event’s nighttime format brought out a unique energy, an underground-meets-organized vibe that perfectly captured what makes the tuner community so alive today.
Elite Judging Panel & Top 10 Showcase
A major highlight of the event was its world-class judging panel. Each judge represented a different corner of car culture, bringing credibility and diversity of taste to the competition. The lineup included Bisi Ezerioha of Bisimoto Engineering, RJ de Vera of Fast and Furious fame and current VP of Marketing at SEMA, Sam Du, former Editor-in-Chief of Super Street, Sonya “Slidez” Klaus, professional drifter and automotive storyteller, and Jofel Tolosa, contributing editor for Super Street and MotorTrend.
Their mission was to select the Top 10 show cars of the night—vehicles that combined craftsmanship, performance, and creativity. Each winner received a custom skateboard-deck trophy along with premium lighting products from event sponsor SYLVANIA. The mix of performance-focused and style-driven criteria made for a truly balanced and respected judging process.
The Illest Collaboration
Adding even more excitement this year was the official collaboration between Superstreet and Illest, the lifestyle brand founded by automotive icon Mark Arcenal. This partnership brought a special collection of exclusive Illest x Superstreet merchandise to the event, featuring limited-edition shirts, hoodies, and accessories that quickly sold out.
The collab represented the perfect bridge between car culture and streetwear—two worlds that have always influenced each other. The apparel lineup reflected the same creativity and self-expression found in the show cars themselves. The shared branding drew long lines and constant traffic, showing just how powerful the crossover between fashion and automotive lifestyle has become.
Car Culture, Community & Creativity
Beyond the competition, Superstreet After Dark stood out for its sense of community. Builders showcased everything from clean OEM-plus builds to fully custom one-offs, each telling a story of hard work and individuality. Attendees connected through their passion for craftsmanship, design, and performance, celebrating not only the cars but the culture that surrounds them.
The lighting and staging gave the event a cinematic feel. Every car, from widebody Evos to pristine Hondas and show-ready R32s, was positioned to catch the glow of neon and LED reflections. The result was an atmosphere that celebrated both artistry and engineering.
One of the most nostalgic moments of the evening was the Honda Prelude heritage display, featuring all six generations of the iconic model. It was a reminder of how far tuner culture has come, and how it continues to evolve while honoring the legends that started it all.
Final Thoughts
In every sense, Superstreet After Dark 2025 captured the essence of modern tuner culture. The mix of innovation, nostalgia, and fashion-forward creativity made it one of the most memorable events of the year. With elite judges, the competition carried weight and authenticity.
The collaboration with Illest elevated the event even further, merging style, lifestyle, and performance into one cohesive experience. As the night came to a close, the sound of engines faded, but the sense of community and creative inspiration lingered long after. For those who missed it, this year’s Superstreet After Dark wasn’t just another car show, it was a full-on celebration of everything that keeps the scene thriving.
Full Gallery Below!
