On April 16, Loyola High School was turned into a real life Forza garage. For one afternoon, the Car Club opened Loyola’s gates for everyone to freely showcase everything from their daily drivers to exotic sports cars. Loyola became a museum of automotive engineering, featuring rare European imports like Jason Odell’s 1996 993 Turbo, to “driveway finds” like Brian Lau’s rebuilt Nissan and pre-war spectacles like Erik Laykin’s 1936 Packard 120.
What people did not see, however, was the amount of planning that went on behind the scenes to make the event run smoothly. In the weeks leading up to the car show, Car Club members worked together to design a detailed layout of the event, organizing cars by categories such as German, Italian and American manufacturers. They also prepared T-shirts for participants, taking the time to design and hand press them in the Innovation Lab.
European imports are uncommon to come across, so seeing Jason Odell’s 1996 Porsche 993 Turbo was a highlight. Odell imported the car from Austria three years ago, and upgraded the stock wheels to HRE Performance Wheels. His favorite part of the car is the stance, the overall positioning of the wheels and suspension that gives the car a lower, more aggressive look.
Beyond rare imports, the event also featured unique personal projects, including Brian Lau’s rebuilt Nissan. Lau’s 1992 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo started as a forgotten driveway find, sitting for five years unused and not running. Instead of giving up on it, Lau rebuilt the car from the ground up. He successfully revived the car and has now owned it for ten years. Lau’s favorite feature is the signature twin turbos that deliver increased horsepower and acceleration.
In contrast to modern performance builds, Erik Laykin’s 1936 Packard 120 offered a glimpse into automotive history. Packard was once one of America’s top luxury car manufacturers before the company’s decline in 1958. Laykin’s favorite aspect of the vehicle is the elegant design and attention to detail, especially the iconic “Goddess of Speed” hood ornament. This same exact model of car was favored by famous American gangster Al Capone, whose version was modified for protection. Despite its old age, Laykin’s Packard remains fully functional, and he continues to drive it regularly.
Zachary Matise, a Loyola Car Club member, said one of the most meaningful aspects of the event was the sense of community it created. “Events like this create a unique opportunity to connect with former students who share the same passion for cars,” he said. Matise said one of the highlights was not just seeing the cars, but hearing the stories behind them and connecting with people who were once in his shoes.
In the end, the Loyola Car Show brought together a wide variety of vehicles, from rare European imports to rebuilt projects and historic classics. Each car told a different story, showing that car culture is not just about performance, but also passion, history and community.
