2007 SEMA Auto Show
If you're sick of watching automakers fall all over themselves trying to be green at auto shows, then check out our coverage of the 2007 SEMA Show. Although SEMA stands for the Specialty Equipment Market Association, rarely is this equipment dedicated to burning vegetable fat or unleaded soy-ohol. Instead SEMA exhibitors generally stick to the basic idea of taking production cars and trucks and turning them into custom creations that push the limits of speed, creativity...and sometimes taste. Coverage starts here October 30.
Not to be outdone, GM will once again bring more than two dozen customized cars and trucks to the Las Vegas Convention Center. Highlights will include the Pontiac Solstice SD-290 concept, another Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Silverado and a Pontiac G8 with an LSX crate motor. Of course, GM couldn't help itself from playing the green card, so Jay Leno will be bringing a modified Corvette Z06 that runs on E85 plus a flex-fuel vintage hot rod.
Ford will have a similarly large display. It will include cars like the Hot Wheels Focus Concept, trucks like the FX-2 and even a lowered Lincoln MKX. Chrysler is taking the custom route as well, with a handful of vehicles that have been modified by its Mopar Underground design team. These will include the Dodge Ram BFT, Dodge Avenger Stormtrooper, Jeep Wrangler JT and even a couple decked-out minivans.
Also on display: two modified 2008 Honda Accord coupes, an all-wheel-drive Mazdaspeed 3 by DG Motorsports, the redesigned Volkswagen Jetta wagon and countless aftermarket parts, accessories and, of course, rows and rows of custom wheels. It wouldn't be SEMA without them.
