Lincoln at the 2009 SEMA Auto Show

LAS VEGAS — The Lincoln MKS and MKZ sedans and the new MKT crossover will anchor the brand's display at the upcoming 2009 SEMA Auto Show.

In typical SEMA fashion, the MKS by Van Nuys-based Raceskinz boasts lots of carbon-fiber accents. As co-owner Tirrelle Lazada-Smith explains, "Carbon fiber is to us what chrome was to our previous generation."

Painted pearlescent white, the Raceskinz MKS features a carbon-fiber roof overlay, side moldings, mirror and antenna covers, foglamp bezel, license-plate frame and accents on the rear diffuser, trunk and rear spoiler. And that's just the exterior treatment. The car also gets carbon-fiber exhaust tips and deep-offset wheels faced in carbon fiber.

The oddly shaped MKT crossover has been given the once-over by Rick Bottom Designs of Mendota, Illinois, including an exotic Turnin' Orange paint scheme. Bottom lowered the MKT's ride height by 2 inches, eliminated the door handles and antenna, reshaped the rear bumper and added a chrome beltline molding. The cockpit features two-tone leather, floating armrests and Xtant audio components.

The MKZ sedan has been modified by 3dCarbon of Newport Beach, California. Exterior features include an upper roof spoiler and flush-mounted deck-lid spoiler, plus stainless-steel dual exhaust extensions and lower door moldings. The car also has been fitted with 20-inch TSW "Snetterton" Hyper Silver wheels and a Magnaflow stainless-steel cat-back exhaust system.

Inside Line says: We're still not quite convinced that "customized Lincoln" doesn't sound like an oxymoron. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent