Wild & wonderful treasures of SEMA 2019

The best customs, restorations and radical builds from the world’s largest custom car show

by Graham Heeps

7 November 2019

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The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show has just kicked off in Las Vegas this week.

The huge aftermarket event draws tens of thousands of trade buyers from around the world and is famous for its wild vehicle builds. Customisers race against the clock to get their latest creations to SEMA, like this extraordinary Can-Am X3 XRS.

We’ve scoured the halls for the craziest customs, the most beautiful restorations and the most innovative designs to bring you the best of SEMA 2019…
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Mercedes (1969)

Vescio’s Customizing reworked a 1969 Mercedes to create the Red Pig 2. Riding on Forgeline wheels and Pirelli tires, the widebody Merc is powered by a 6.7-litre, 599bhp Chevy LS V8 built by Reviva.
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Toyota Starlet Time Attack (1984)

A turbocharged Honda S2000 drivetrain now lies beneath the shell of this 1984 Starlet, which has been built to compete in Time Attack in 2020. Owner Angel Ortiz recently swapped out its Toyota 4A-GE motor.
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Jeep Wrangler JL

After the show closes, Bilstein’s Wrangler will drive off-road back to San Diego. It features development versions of the firm’s 8100 dampers, which have a 2.5in body (64mm) and are fully adjustable in bump and rebound. The rooftop tent is from Maggiolina and there’s a fridge in the back of the Jeep.
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Howe & Howe Ripsaw EV3-F4

The four-seat Ripsaw was exhibited on the booth of PPE, which built the 6.6-litre, 789bhp Duramax at the heart of this extreme vehicle. It’s available with up to 1500bhp.
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Russell Built Baja 911

Toyo Tires regularly has some of the hottest new builds at the SEMA Show and this year is no exception. A highlight is the Baja 911 by TJ Russell of Russell Built Fabrication, which was a finalist in SEMA’s Battle of the Builders competition.

The former Singer fabricator installed a full race cage, 305mm of wheel travel, a 3.8-litre engine and a luxurious interior. The Baja 911 will enter limited production with a price tag of around $1.2m (approximately £923,000).
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Chevrolet Gasser Cherry Bomb (1957)

Cherry Bomb had arguably the most dazzling paint finish of any vehicle at SEMA. The ’57 Gasser owned by Jeff and Tracy Spear from Iowa runs Firestone drag tires to get the power from the blown, 468ci big block Chevy motor to the street via a 1962 Pontiac rear axle.
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Ford F-250 custom

Among countless lifted trucks at SEMA, this Ford F-250 displayed by Road Armor bumpers stands out for the extent of its mirror plating – on the chassis, rims, exhaust and suspension.
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Triumph Spitfire (1968)

This Spitfire raced for decades before being retired to show car use by third owner, David Boyle. The top end of the 1300cc motor was reworked for racing with a new head and Weber carburettor.
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Nash Metropolitan (1957)

Hot Wheels used the SEMA Show to crown the winner of its Legends Tour custom car competition. The winners of regional heats came to Vegas to be judged by a celebrity judging panel that included comedian Jay Leno and stunt scooter rider, Tanner Fox. The winning, small block Chevy-powered Metropolitan of Greg Salzillo and Dave Ford will now be made into a Hot Wheels toy for release in late-2020.
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Cadillac Coupe de Ville (1959)

This tasteful custom from Rad Rides by Troy incorporates an Eaton-supercharged LSA crate engine and 18in alloy wheels that were custom machined from billet.
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Toyota GR Supra

The new GR Supra was one of the most popular cars at the 2019 show. That should come as no surprise given that SEMA’s Supra measuring session for aftermarket suppliers earlier this year was reportedly its most popular ever. At least 50 could be found in the SEMA halls, including this vivid yellow example whose stock wheels had been swapped for 20in RSR rims and a set of Vredesteins.
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Chevrolet Apache (1958)

Built by Hot Rod magazine as a shop truck for fuel stabilizer company, Sta-Bil, the Apache will be auctioned by Mecum in aid of the Curing Kids Cancer charity in 2020.
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Jeep Gladiator

The Jeep Gladiator was another prolific vehicle at this year’s SEMA as dozens of aftermarket specialists showcased their newly developed products for the pickup.

One of the cleanest builds on show was this one at the booth of wheel maker, Hardrock. It has 24in rims with Rolling Big Power tires as well as a Warn winch and DV8 off-road accessories.
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Nissan 370Z Time Attack

The Global Time Attack series is the destination for the Z1 Motorsports Nissan 370Z, which was revealed for the first time at SEMA. The 3.7-litre engine has its roots in a 3.5 from a hybrid application, but with a new crank, custom rods, pistons and high-compression cylinder heads, it revs to 8,300rpm.
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Mini-Cooper pickup (1968)

Floridians Dave and Matt Spinney created this ’68 Mini pickup, incorporating modern technology such as LED lights, digital instruments, a Kenwood receiver and a Garrett-turbocharged engine bored out to 1295cc.
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Ford Thunderbird Tiki Bird (1963)

Needfulthingz Hot Rod & Fab Shop of Lancaster, California put together the Tiki Bird for owner Eric Foster. The Thunderbird-based machine with the beach-themed interior has a 1000bhp, 5.0-litre engine whose exhaust pipes exit through the tail lights!
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Tesla Model 3

SEMA isn’t all about small-block V8s or mammoth diesels. A small $2436 (around £1900) will buy you a Universal Air spring and strut package for the Tesla Model 3.
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Trophy T

Trophy T was built by Tim Odell of Vice Unlimited. It marries a 1947 Diamond T 404 cab with modern, Trophy Truck-style underpinnings.
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Abarth 124 Spider

Tuning company Three Hundred was at the show with a highly modified 124 Spider. The car has been widened by 70mm and features carbon body parts, es-05 forged wheels and a 204bhp motor.
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Jeep Wrangler custom

Doors, bumpers, tire carrier, speaker mount and A-pillar brackets are among the Hammerhead aftermarket parts fitted to this highly modified Wrangler.
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Chevrolet Crew Cab (1966)

Randall Robertson of Rtech Fabrications built The Ponderosa, a 4WD 1966 Chevrolet Crew Cab converted from a RWD, two-door original. This dually features Dana axles, off-road LED light bars and a 5.9-litre Cummins diesel.
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Volkswagen Polo Harlequin

Car builder Jamie Orr, originally from Scotland but now based in Pennsylvania, re-engined this Polo Harlequin with a 1.8-litre turbo unit from AutoHaas. The bike on top is a Marin Gestalt X11 repainted to match the car. It’s his second Harlequin, having previously rebuilt a Golf.
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Rockhopper

Rockhopper was converted from a 2008 International MXT to journey from Edmonton, Canada via Chile to the South Pole. Highlights are a hybrid drivetrain, a body that folds down to fit a shipping container and a drone landing pad on the roof.
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Can-Am X3 XRS (2019)

A turbocharged Rotax engine and X3 long-travel suspension on this custom Can-Am are complemented by a huge ARC audio system. Using an iPad as the source, the sound is routed via two processors and two amplifiers to six pairs of speakers and eight subwoofers.
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Golden Sahara II

First built by Batmobile creator George Barris in the 1950s and later upgraded with remote controls by Jim Street, Golden Sahara II has been fully restored in the past year for new owner, Larry Klairmont.

Goodyear recreated the original, illuminated urethane tires to complete the look.
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Datsun 510 Brock Buster (1973)

The success of Peter Brock’s BRE Datsun race team in the early 1970s led to a line of street performance parts, which he showcased on this 510. The car passed through several owners before being restored to its current immaculate condition. Brock is pictured right, signing autographs.
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Ford Bronco (1971)

With the Bronco nameplate being revived by a new model in 2020, Ford brought together numerous classic Broncos to form a major outdoor display. Marcel was rebuilt from a rusted original by its four owners following its acquisition in 2007. Expect to see dozens of customized new Broncos at SEMA next year.
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GMC Sierra (1986)

Rebuilt from the ground up, this Sierra Classic K1500 has a 6.2-litre LS3 V8, a full custom interior with digital instruments and a custom rotating lightbar.
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Porsche 911 EV

For $7,598 (around £5800), EV West provides a kit to convert a classic 911 to all-electric drive. Luggage space is much improved!
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TVR Speed 12 Turbo

The Speed 12 Turbo is billed as an improved version of the TVR original. Built by an offshoot of Lytham, UK-based exhaust valve specialist and SEMA exhibitor, Helical Technology, the car’s 6.0-litre Aston Martin V12 delivers 998bhp and a claimed zero to 60mph time of 2.9sec.

This preproduction prototype will remain in the US after the show to build interest in the car; TR plans to make 12 of them.
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Chevrolet Impala (1961)

Classic tire specialist, Coker Tire used this 1961 Impala, nicknamed ‘Red Sled’, to showcase the BFGoodrich Redline tires. The car has Ridetech suspension, fuel injection and a six-speed transmission.
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Jeep J6

Jeep doesn’t make a two-door Gladiator, but that didn’t stop in-house parts department, Mopar, from making a concept for SEMA – aping the look of the classic Willys truck. The J6 shares its wheelbase with a Wrangler and has a 6ft bed.
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Nikola NZT

There are plenty of ATVs at SEMA, but few electric ones. Nikola’s NZT has Fox internal bypass shocks, a 13in infotainment display and four independent electric motors for a total output of 582bhp. Range is up to 150 miles.
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Honda S800 Outlaw (1968)

Producer and actor Danial Wu created the S800 Outlaw coupe. The original 800cc engine has been rebuilt and a custom GReddy exhaust fitted. The body kit was made by Kei Miura of Pandem and the car has been lowered by 2in (51mm).
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Ford Delivery Truck (1948)

Max Grundy Design worked with Mike Howell, Mike Mettelka and others to create this Dr Pepper delivery truck, based on a 1948 Ford.
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Jeep Grand Wagoneer (1988)

Recently completed by Jeep parts specialists, Crown, this Grand Wagoneer restoration required paint and rust repair, a reconstructed interior with an Alpine stereo, a lift kit and castor adjustment.
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Datsun 240Z 'Judy'

A carbonfiber shell and a Chevy Silverado V8 with Holley electronics mark this out as no ordinary 240Z. Shawn Bassett bought it for $1,100 (£850) and transformed it into a machine fit for Global Time Attack competition. The plan is to tackle Pikes Peak in 2020.
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Chevrolet E-10

The E-10 previews GM’s intention to create plug-and-play electric crate engines, much as it already does for LS V8s. Motive power for the E-10 is provided by two stock Bolt EV powertrains; the battery packs sit one atop the other in the pickup bed.
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Ford Deluxe Roadster (1936)

Sitting atop a Direct Lift car lift was this custom 1936 Ford dubbed The Long Beach Legend. It was built by Hollywood Hot Rods. This chopped roadster incorporates parts from a variety of 1936-40 Lincolns and Lincoln-Zephyrs.
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Ford F-550 Polar6

Polar6 is based on a Ford F-550 4x4 Lariat, converted to a 6x6 by SMCO. Sparks Motors custom built the suspension and Camso supplied the rubber tracks. On the back are two Camso-tracked Polaris ATVs.
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BMW 2002

Vintage BMW Racing built this 2002 race car for owner, Rial Barnett. Spring supplier and car sponsor, Eibach exhibited the car at SEMA and gave away miniature Hot Wheels versions on the booth.
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Jeep Willys 'Nugget'

Nugget is a new build by Roamr. In the bed are waterproof storage drawers from Decked that can support up to 900kg (1980 lb) of weight on top.
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Ford Pickup (1947)

Northern Radiator sponsored Chain Smoker’s presence at the show. Its diesel engine makes an incredible 1184bhp and 2000lb ft of torque.
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Chevrolet El Camino 'El Campino'

Another unusual new build in Toyo’s lineup was the ‘El Campino’, complete with a tent that rises automatically from the bed of the pickup.
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Volkswagen Saveiro

Here’s another of Jamie Orr’s Volkswagens, this time the Saveiro pickup with Castor AirRide suspension.
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Ford Fairlane Custom 300 Gasser (1957)

Classic Cars by Lloyd in Charles City, Iowa transformed a 63,000-mile barn find into this Fairlane Gasser. The paint is mostly original.
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International Scout 80 (1964)

Skyjacker suspension and Falken tires were part of the build of this unusual International Scout. Owner Trent McGee put the Cummins diesel-powered truck together for the Ultimate Adventure off-road event.
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Factory Five ‘35 Hot Rod

NASCAR Cup champion driver, Joey Logano worked with Factory Five Racing and Snap-On to create this drift-ready ’35 Hot Rod. Incredibly, the Roush Yates Ford engine is the exact one that powered Logano to victory in the NASCAR race at Dover in 2013.
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Lamborghini Espada hot rod

This unique, Espada-based hot rod is the product of French builders Danton Arts Kustoms and Carrosserie Hervé. There is nothing else like it at SEMA, which is a huge achievement given the number of vehicles and extent of the creativity on show.
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Ford Econoline 'The Grasshopper' (1965)

An eight-way air ride system, a 460ci V8 and a Dana 60 Positraction rear end lie beneath The Grasshopper’s spectacular DuPont paint.

The SEMA Show continues until Friday 8th November, when it is also open to the public.

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