Written by special guest editor Carter Jung, editor of Import Tuner. Carter is an automotive enthusiast, journalist and photographer.

Not too long ago, the tuner car show scene was dominated with outrageously wild builds that weren't practical for the stresses of the road. Chrome littered the under carriage, wide body kits were made of pounds of crack-prone fiberglass, vinyl-wrapped interiors had about as much grip as a Teflon-coated fry pan and multi-tiered spoilers weighed the rear down more than they provided downforce. The list can go on for days, but the result was an age of show cars that were more trailer queen than king of the road.

However, in recent years, the trends in show car styling have taken a sharp turn--out are the impractical modifications, and in is functionality.

Hondas, the dominating force during the '90s, lost their spark in the new millennium, but have made a strong comeback. And these aren't the neon lit Civics and Integras of yesterday. Taking a cue from the muscle car, styling leans towards the "clean" look of being heavily modified, yet overtly understated. No abnormally vented front bumpers here--subtle lip kits or aero that retains the stock lines are all the rage and procuring rare parts from Japan scores points.

The engine bay is where the innovation has been in the tuning scene. High-compression VTEC engines swapped in for weaker stock motors are commonplace, and to stand out, individual throttle body air intake setups and turbo kits are a must. The process of "tucking," or reworking and hiding the engine harness, wires, hoses and lines out of sight, is the new Honda art. Afterwards, the holes are filled and repainted and the engine bay becomes the perfect canvas in which to present the engine. And to get any sort of respect, the motor better run.

But the resurgence of Hondas isn't where the change in trends ends. Thanks to the popularity of drifting and time attack, the motorsports look is as common at a Hot Import Nights as it is at a Super Lap Battle track event. Roll cages, functional aero and built motors with big turbos tuned for bigger power is what it takes to be a competitive show car.

With these changes, the quality of fuel has become just as important for show cars as it is in all performance vehicles. Whether it's a high-compression engine swap in a Honda, tuned EVO or STI for extra boost, or a stock 370Z or Mustang, TOP TIER premium gasoline, such Shell V-Power®, is a must. Packed with the highest concentration of the patented Shell Nitrogen Enriched cleaning system, Shell V-Power provides maximum protection against performance-robbing gunk in cars that both "show" and need "go."