BY DUTCH MANDEL, NATALIE NEFF, BOB GRITZINGER AND MARK VAUGHN/ AutoWeek
WITH PHOTOS BY JOE WILSSENS
For those who think the Specialty Equipment Market Association convention is a regional gathering of mom-n-pop hot-rodders, get a clue. SEMA is the latest and biggest international auto show going, with more than 1300 cars on display and something like 12 miles of fuzzy-diced aisles. It is full of all you could hope to have in a car, truck or sport/utility... and many things you wouldn’t dare put anywhere near your car, let alone an open flame.
You can hear more international languages in Las Vegas than at some overseas auto shows. But with 12 manufacturers from around the world as official exhibitors, it’s only just begun to register on the must-see map of the Big Conglomerate Car Guys. But they’re watching. Don’t be surprised if more companies, like Audi and BMW, show up to officially display their wares.
Chrysler, the honored marque, brought dealers to understand the aftermarket power and the power of Chrysler’s commitment to performance. The company set up a speed shop to show the inner workings of performance. This might be a dying trend: Show organizers will move away from showcasing the Big Three exclusively. After Ford is so honored in its centennial year in ’03, Toyota steps into the spotlight for ’04.
It was heartening to see a flock of General Motors shooters—led by rising star and car guy Gary Cowger, GM’s North American prez—take guided tours and get the right things pointed out that should be important to them about automotive enthusiasm. You may never be able to take the suit out of the GM exec, but it’s good to see the GM exec get the suit out on the floor.
The one thing that still separates SEMA from an international motor show is that it’s a trade exhibition exclusively, never open to the public. So we attended on your behalf, and here’s a sampling of the Vegas glitter that caught our eye.
Powersport California Custom Thunderbird custom show car conversion kit
James Powers was the Ford designer behind the ’61 Thunderbird. Today, Powers pushes the latest rendition beyond what even J Mays considered. Powersport offers a kit for $18,900 (retail, including installation) that transforms the T-Bird into this California custom show car—all without permanent modifications to the underlying car, in case you change your mind. We won’t comment on its looks; we’re just reporting the news.
WITH PHOTOS BY JOE WILSSENS
For those who think the Specialty Equipment Market Association convention is a regional gathering of mom-n-pop hot-rodders, get a clue. SEMA is the latest and biggest international auto show going, with more than 1300 cars on display and something like 12 miles of fuzzy-diced aisles. It is full of all you could hope to have in a car, truck or sport/utility... and many things you wouldn’t dare put anywhere near your car, let alone an open flame.
You can hear more international languages in Las Vegas than at some overseas auto shows. But with 12 manufacturers from around the world as official exhibitors, it’s only just begun to register on the must-see map of the Big Conglomerate Car Guys. But they’re watching. Don’t be surprised if more companies, like Audi and BMW, show up to officially display their wares.
Chrysler, the honored marque, brought dealers to understand the aftermarket power and the power of Chrysler’s commitment to performance. The company set up a speed shop to show the inner workings of performance. This might be a dying trend: Show organizers will move away from showcasing the Big Three exclusively. After Ford is so honored in its centennial year in ’03, Toyota steps into the spotlight for ’04.
It was heartening to see a flock of General Motors shooters—led by rising star and car guy Gary Cowger, GM’s North American prez—take guided tours and get the right things pointed out that should be important to them about automotive enthusiasm. You may never be able to take the suit out of the GM exec, but it’s good to see the GM exec get the suit out on the floor.
The one thing that still separates SEMA from an international motor show is that it’s a trade exhibition exclusively, never open to the public. So we attended on your behalf, and here’s a sampling of the Vegas glitter that caught our eye.
Powersport California Custom Thunderbird custom show car conversion kit
James Powers was the Ford designer behind the ’61 Thunderbird. Today, Powers pushes the latest rendition beyond what even J Mays considered. Powersport offers a kit for $18,900 (retail, including installation) that transforms the T-Bird into this California custom show car—all without permanent modifications to the underlying car, in case you change your mind. We won’t comment on its looks; we’re just reporting the news.