First Class Fitment judges rejected his “build” but Patel gate crashed, anyway.

Sawan Patel, who goes by @PatelSaw15 on Instagram, is still throwing a fit because show organizers rejected his entry into First Class Fitment despite causing a scene the day of the event.

Patel was further criticized for throwing disparaging remarks at show organizers and their friends online, hours after the show.

Since this blog post, Sawan’s taken down his personal Instagram, but I’ve copied the original quote below including a photo of his Acura from his new back-up account.

Here’s his original quote,

FIRSTCLASSFITMENT2019, You’ve done treating me nothing but shit in the end. That applies to all real car enthusiasts as well. This is same as last year. Too many discriminators, threats, uncalled made, etc toward me regardless finished or not builds, before or after show hours. Basically it is only me being singled out as a human being, not my build, I mean you done many wrong things physically mentally verbally. Too many legit toxically ignorants, staffs, drivers and some speculators. Was that how you hire and instruct all staffs just like that? Much disappointing but I’m happy you ended it this year for your own good. I won’t stop standing up for whatever I do. I know what I’ve seen and done. My build helps bringing true color of people. @firstclassfitment @canibeat_crew @canibeat_cristian #*uckyourshow

Patel’s Facebook post saying pretty much the same thing is linked here.

First Class Fitment is billed as East Coast’s premier autoshow held annually at Princeton Airport in New Jersey. As the name of the event and location suggests, only the crème de la crème builds are chosen to show.

Although accepting and rejecting builds is subjective, this, being the 10th anniversary of the show, show organizers had a bar to uphold. Like Wekfest, that presumably means taking in the overall package and execution of the build as criteria for show entry.

According to one of Patel’s Instagram stories, at least one judge commented on Patel’s Facebook post, spilling the beans why Patel was upset at first.

Long story short, judges deemed his car was not up to snuff and rejected Patel’s entry. Supposedly, this isn’t the first time they rejected his build. Patel applied and was also rejected in 2018.

That doesn’t mean Patel couldn’t be cordial about the situation and just enjoy the show.

Instead, according to several videos he posted on his Facebook and Instagram, Patel showed up at the show anyway.

His excuse? The show was over, so why not drive in?

This is where the situation turned for the worse.

Allegedly, one of the show’s organizer’s friend let in some cars that were not in the show but explicitly called out Patel’s car as not welcome. As Patel’s videos show, at one point, this person climbs on top of his hood to prevent him from driving forward.

Unbothered, despite clearly not being welcomed, Patel continued to not only drive into the show but parked.

Patel documented this “friend of the organizer,” at his wit’s end, tell him, in not some of the kindest words, that Patel was not welcome and he should leave.

Finally, police intervene forcing Patel to leave.

To add insult to injury, as Patel posted above, he carried on his tantrum online, weaving in how he was discriminated against since he was deaf (insert giant eye-roll.)

In response to arguably ruining what was a lovely meet, one of the show’s organizers responded ,kindly enough, on his Instagram post above (now deleted.)

I think I speak for A LOT of people when I say this man… and this is coming straight for my heart but you need serious mental help. You need to see a doctor and get some professional help before things get worse. I have no problem with you and Pete is a friend of mine but he has no affiliation with the show and you just started (key word here) an alteration with someone and handled it very poorly. I hope this gets worked out somehow between you two and you get the help you need and deserve. The drama you so desperately thrive on and live off of has gone too far. Best wishes ??❤️

Here’s another response from a photographer.

Jesus man. If you took the time you spent complaining and calling out people who are actually doing good things for this community, maybe you’d actually have a finished car. No one is against you, but when you act so outwardly arrogant and disrespectful you will get turned away. Then you come on social media and cry about it. It’s a shame there won’t be another First Class, but at least there’s isn’t another opportunity for you to pull this shit at next year.

Patel insists that, since the show was already over, he had the right to enter through the back gate to, I assume, park and take some pictures.

Sneaking through the back gate is proof enough he knew exactly what he was doing.

My .02 that no one asked for

People deal with rejection in different ways, they either get bitter and double down on their negative feelings or get better and learn from the situation.

Patel obviously just got bitter.

Anyone can see the only thing his entry had going for it was his extreme camber which, in my opinion, is not a build. Sure, there are challenges getting the abnormally large wheels stuffed under those stock fenders to pull off “that look” bu,t as someone who’s not even a FCF judge, I mean, come on.

Here’s a VIP Acura that was accepted and showed. Notice how it’s a complete and well-executed package. Note the custom front end, flawless paint, and////// tasteful fitment.

And the argument that the show was over doesn’t give you permission to gate crash an event. Do professional sports open their fields to the public after a game just because the buzzer sounded? Is it OK to join in on a wedding party just because, technically, their time at the hotel is over? Obviously not, there are logistical, safety, and liability issues letting people in unauthorized.

Were the words said to Patel at the event unkind? Sure. But, see it from the organizers’ perspective. Patel’s build was formerly rejected twice, which means his car cannot be in the show. Period. To drive up anyway and try to park is just plain disrespect.

As mentioned, FCF did not say Patel couldn’t enjoy the carshow as a spectator.

Patel has a chance to see the errors of his ways and, at the very least, make some sort of public apology. From what I’ve seen, I doubt an apology is forthcoming anytime soon.

5 COMMENTS

  1. The funny thing is, this is just an article talking bad about someone not what really happen. Maybe next time you can point the straight facts and not be a person putting another person down and proving why he should have been treated that way and why he got rejected.

  2. How’s it going, my name is Peter Stuppard and am the person in the video, I would love to have a conversation explaining my side of the story

    ***-***-****

  3. First of all, my name is Sawan. Next time, come up and ask me instead of going to others. Much false information in your article.

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