Grassroots Edition is a New Jersey-based automotive invitational event that aims to celebrate the full spectrum of contemporary car culture. As of 2024, it’s occurred twice a year with gatherings in the spring and fall. This is the first time I’d attended and I found a vibrant atmosphere in contrast to the serene setting of Oak Ridge Park located around 20 miles south west of NYC.

The show brings together JDM and Asian tuners, European performance, American customs and lowriders and finally collectibles and rarities. Mixing all these categories together in an open field could have resulted in chaos, but the several hundred vehicles were loosely grouped in zones. Grassroots attracted a lot of photographers and it was nice that cars weren’t arranged in default rows. It was easy to walk around and find different vantage points. Overall, there was a lot to see.

Peppered around were quite a few unique VW’s. From a bright yellow utility Syncro to a classic West Coast style vintage Beetle racer. It was the deep bronze hued custom Brasilia with matte black steel wheels that looked really fresh. I applaud all the aesthetic choices on this one.

Another mention goes to the lowered sky blue Audi s4 Avant. Not sure of the actual year but likely around a 2015 model. For me this was the zeith point of contemporary Audi design before the downward slide to overly complex surfaces and fussy intakes and vents we have currently.

Lastly, NJ-based Rob Ida‘s “The Black Cat”, a heavily modified Jaguar XK 120 was the hands down show stealer. Built as an homage to the Bonneville land speed record cars of the 50s, the car crosses over to the realm of sculpture. It would be some a real hold-your-breath driving experience, partially for the speed and also to prevent that glorious bubble canopy from fogging up.

Photos and Text: Dave Pinter