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The great – and not-so-great – cars of SEMA 2019

From totally rad to worn-out fad, here's what caught our eye at this year's exhibition

Jil McIntosh
Nov 08, 2019  •  May 19, 2021  •  3 minute read  •  Join the conversation
When golfer Kevin Na won the PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge earlier this year, he also won the grand prize: a stunning and mildly-customized 1973 Dodge Challenger built by Steve Strope at his Pure Vision shop.
When golfer Kevin Na won the PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge earlier this year, he also won the grand prize: a stunning and mildly-customized 1973 Dodge Challenger built by Steve Strope at his Pure Vision shop. Photo by Jil McIntosh

Las Vegas, NEVADA—For a week each fall, this town is heaven for gearheads.

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It’s the annual SEMA show, held by the Specialty Equipment Market Association, and it’s possibly the biggest, loudest and craziest car event on the planet.

For all the vehicles shown here, it isn’t actually a car show.

Instead, it’s a trade show, where companies bring aftermarket products – basically anything auto-related that isn’t on your new car when you buy it – and show them in the hopes retailers will carry them in their stores.

But to show off those goods, companies bring in cars wearing those products, and there are thousands here. All the big-name builders are on hand, fresh off their television shows – people like Chip Foose, Dave Kindig and Steve Darnell – along with folks like Richard Petty and Jay Leno.

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Most of the cars are fabulous, while a few left us lukewarm. Check out a few below and see what you think of what we thought.

Top-Notch Builds

  1. Customizer Rick Dore built his
    Customizer Rick Dore built his "Illusion" with hand-formed aluminum panels on top of a custom-made chassis and with a 480-horsepower Corvette engine. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  2. Customizer Rick Dore built his
    Customizer Rick Dore built his "Illusion" with hand-formed aluminum panels on top of a custom-made chassis and with a 480-horsepower Corvette engine. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  3. It's not often you see a Nissan Pao; this 1991 version boasts 50 horsepower and 55 lb.-ft. of torque from its 987-cc engine.
    It's not often you see a Nissan Pao; this 1991 version boasts 50 horsepower and 55 lb.-ft. of torque from its 987-cc engine. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  4. How sweet is this? A 1966 Datsun Roadster with a one-off wide-body kit, three-piece 16-inch wheels and 2.0L Nissan SR20DET turbo engine.
    How sweet is this? A 1966 Datsun Roadster with a one-off wide-body kit, three-piece 16-inch wheels and 2.0L Nissan SR20DET turbo engine. Photo by Fred Bottcher
  5. The
    The "Red Pig 2" is a 1969 Mercedes with a 607-horsepower 6.7L engine, wide-body styling and custom interior. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  6. Chevrolet Performance built the
    Chevrolet Performance built the "E-10" custom prototype, a 1962 C-10 pickup truck. It uses three prototype electric motors, under development at GM, stacked together to produce over 1,000 horsepower. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  7. Customized 1963 Cadillac Eldorado convertible.
    Customized 1963 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. Photo by Fred Bottcher
  8. Mopar's designers took a 1968 Dodge D200 heavy-duty pickup and turned it into the
    Mopar's designers took a 1968 Dodge D200 heavy-duty pickup and turned it into the "Lowliner Concept," with 5.9L Cummins diesel engine and air suspension. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  9. Jeep built a small number of M-677 cab-over trucks for the military, and this rare 1964 version looks fabulous with a few modern touches.
    Jeep built a small number of M-677 cab-over trucks for the military, and this rare 1964 version looks fabulous with a few modern touches. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  10. Flat Out Autos takes a new Chevy Tahoe and makes exterior panels to turn it into a 1969 K5 Blazer. Bring cash: this 2018 model is US$144,460 as it sits.
    Flat Out Autos takes a new Chevy Tahoe and makes exterior panels to turn it into a 1969 K5 Blazer. Bring cash: this 2018 model is US$144,460 as it sits. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  11. Hot rod show promoters Goodguys sponsors a YoungGuys Award, and this winning 1959 Chevy Impala was built by 23-year-old Justin Zimmerman.
    Hot rod show promoters Goodguys sponsors a YoungGuys Award, and this winning 1959 Chevy Impala was built by 23-year-old Justin Zimmerman. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  12. This 1964 Volkswagen Type 2 Double Cab Transporter was restored in 1993, then stolen and recovered a year later; in 1995 it was stolen again and found four years later.
    This 1964 Volkswagen Type 2 Double Cab Transporter was restored in 1993, then stolen and recovered a year later; in 1995 it was stolen again and found four years later. Photo by Fred Bottcher
  13. Someone is having way too much fun with a 1975 AMC Gremlin, and we approve.
    Someone is having way too much fun with a 1975 AMC Gremlin, and we approve. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  14. Built by Quintin Brothers in Vermont, this customized 2019 Challenger was stolen a week before SEMA, and after a police chase, the thief T-boned a cop car. What else to do but show it?
    Built by Quintin Brothers in Vermont, this customized 2019 Challenger was stolen a week before SEMA, and after a police chase, the thief T-boned a cop car. What else to do but show it? Photo by Jil McIntosh
  15. The husband-and-wife team behind Cool Hand Customs in Wisconsin put a 4.6L Cadillac Northstar V8 into a French-built 1960 Simca.
    The husband-and-wife team behind Cool Hand Customs in Wisconsin put a 4.6L Cadillac Northstar V8 into a French-built 1960 Simca. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  16. There's a 392 Hemi in the back of this 1984 Dodge Rampage, built in ten weeks by Mike Copeland of Arrington Performance and Diversified Creations in Brighton, Michigan.
    There's a 392 Hemi in the back of this 1984 Dodge Rampage, built in ten weeks by Mike Copeland of Arrington Performance and Diversified Creations in Brighton, Michigan. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  17. 1968 Chevrolet Impala was shown by
    1968 Chevrolet Impala was shown by "Lowrider Magazine"; it has a 6.2L engine and air suspension. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  18. Hot rod artist Max Grundy's 1948 Ford cab-over has a Dr. Pepper theme; Grundy designed the build and chopped the top.
    Hot rod artist Max Grundy's 1948 Ford cab-over has a Dr. Pepper theme; Grundy designed the build and chopped the top. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  19. The tiny Nash Metropolitan was built in Britain for sale in America; this 1957 has a Chevy 305-cid (4.9L) V8 in it. It was briefly owned by Richard Rawlings of
    The tiny Nash Metropolitan was built in Britain for sale in America; this 1957 has a Chevy 305-cid (4.9L) V8 in it. It was briefly owned by Richard Rawlings of "Gas Monkey Garage" and is set to be immortalized in Hot Wheels form. Photo by Fred Bottcher
  20. 1968 Mini
    1968 Mini "Quarter-Ton" pickup has a 1275-cc engine bored out to 1295 cc, along with right-hand drive. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  21. Taiwan-based ING Xingmobility makes an
    Taiwan-based ING Xingmobility makes an "electric crate engine" to drop into a vehicle — in this case, a 1969 Camaro. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  22. When golfer Kevin Na won the PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge earlier this year, he also won the grand prize: a stunning and mildly-customized 1973 Dodge Challenger built by Steve Strope at his Pure Vision shop.
    When golfer Kevin Na won the PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge earlier this year, he also won the grand prize: a stunning and mildly-customized 1973 Dodge Challenger built by Steve Strope at his Pure Vision shop. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  23. A 1955 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon with a 650-horsepower engine, air suspension, 18- and 20-inch wheels and custom interior.
    A 1955 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon with a 650-horsepower engine, air suspension, 18- and 20-inch wheels and custom interior. Photo by Jil McIntosh

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We love the stuff that’s built with an eye toward a total design, that flows from headlights to taillamps, like Rick Dore’s fantastic “Illusion” with its one-off, hand-built aluminum panels; or Max Grundy’s chopped 1948 Ford cab-over truck.

And we love a good story, too, which is why a crashed Challenger wrapped in police tape caught our eye . It was built to be go-fast by brothers Tim and Pete Quintin in Vermont for a customer in Pennsylvania, and “go-fast” was what it was doing when someone stole it out of its trailer a week before the show, leading 14 cop cars on a high-speed chase.

The pursuit was called off when it left the interstate for crowded city streets, but the cops pinged its satellite radio and found it in a parking garage. The thief T-boned a cop car and got away on foot, but finally got caught a couple of days later when he shot at someone in a hotel. The crash had been caught on dashcam and when it went viral, the smacked-up Challenger ended up in its show spot after all. Who doesn’t love a happy ending?

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Traditional Hot Rods

  1. Built by George Barris from a wrecked 1953 Lincoln Capri in 1954, the Golden Sahara was updated as the Golden Sahara II two years later. It contained a TV and could partially drive itself.
    Built by George Barris from a wrecked 1953 Lincoln Capri in 1954, the Golden Sahara was updated as the Golden Sahara II two years later. It contained a TV and could partially drive itself. Photo by Fred Bottcher
  2. Built by George Barris from a wrecked 1953 Lincoln Capri in 1954, the Golden Sahara was updated as the Golden Sahara II two years later. It contained a TV and could partially drive itself.
    Built by George Barris from a wrecked 1953 Lincoln Capri in 1954, the Golden Sahara was updated as the Golden Sahara II two years later. It contained a TV and could partially drive itself. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  3. There were several
    There were several "Hemi Under Glass" Plymouth Barracuda wheelstanders built from 1965 to 1975; this is the 1968 edition. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  4. The Uncertain T was a show car, based on a Ford Model T and built in the 1960s. Earlier this year, Martin Bennett completed his tribute clone of it in New Zealand, and then shipped it to SEMA.
    The Uncertain T was a show car, based on a Ford Model T and built in the 1960s. Earlier this year, Martin Bennett completed his tribute clone of it in New Zealand, and then shipped it to SEMA. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  5. After American Honda opened in California in 1959, it bought a fleet of Chevy pickups to get its motorcycles to dealers. Honda recently found and restored a 1961 Chevy to match a photo from its archives.
    After American Honda opened in California in 1959, it bought a fleet of Chevy pickups to get its motorcycles to dealers. Honda recently found and restored a 1961 Chevy to match a photo from its archives. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  6. Honda's 1961 Chevrolet was displayed with two motorcycles: an early 1960s Honda 50 Super Cub and 1965 CB160.
    Honda's 1961 Chevrolet was displayed with two motorcycles: an early 1960s Honda 50 Super Cub and 1965 CB160. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  7. Honda's booth included a 1968 S800 Coupe owned and built by
    Honda's booth included a 1968 S800 Coupe owned and built by "Tomb Raider" movie star Daniel Wu, based on one of Honda's first production cars. Photo by Jil McIntosh

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Hot rodding has been going on since the 1940s, and a lot of builders like to show their respect to the cars of days gone by. One of those was the Golden Sahara II, originally built by the late George Barris – he of Batmobile fame – in 1954 out of a year-old Lincoln Capri that had been smashed up.

Not only did it have tires that lit up and fish scales in the paint to catch the light, but there was a television in the dash, and a refrigerator between the rear seats. It was also semi-autonomous, with a remote control to start the engine, accelerate or brake – fifty-four years ago. Left in storage for decades, it’s now been restored and debuted at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

Tentative Feelings

  1. It seems like there are thousands of ultra-lifted trucks at SEMA. Seen one, seen 'em all—
    It seems like there are thousands of ultra-lifted trucks at SEMA. Seen one, seen 'em all— Photo by Jil McIntosh
  2. What else are you going to do with a Chrysler Crossfire?
    What else are you going to do with a Chrysler Crossfire? Photo by Jil McIntosh
  3. "Ratical Kiwi," based on a 1927 Essex, was built in New Zealand, shipped to Los Angeles, and driven first to Nebraska and then to SEMA. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  4. "Chainsmoker" originally came out of a field in Manitoba, and the name is obvious. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  5. "Chainsmoker" is a 1947 Fargo – a Canadian version of a Dodge truck – that was found in a field and rebuilt with a diesel engine. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  6. We're not exactly sure what this is.
    We're not exactly sure what this is. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  7. The new Jeep Gladiator was everywhere, with some tricked out more than others.
    The new Jeep Gladiator was everywhere, with some tricked out more than others. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  8. These electric bikes are supposedly meant for off-road riding — but what outdoorsy person is going to buy a bike named CAKE?
    These electric bikes are supposedly meant for off-road riding — but what outdoorsy person is going to buy a bike named CAKE? Photo by Jil McIntosh
  9. The 1937 Chevrolet Maple Leaf truck has a handmade grille and a welder on the back.
    The 1937 Chevrolet Maple Leaf truck has a handmade grille and a welder on the back. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  10. This started out as a 1937 Ford, and grew from there.
    This started out as a 1937 Ford, and grew from there. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  11. Built in Saskatchewan, this is a Canadian-only Chevrolet Maple Leaf truck at the front -- but we're not sure about bolting a 1957 Cadillac to the back...
    Built in Saskatchewan, this is a Canadian-only Chevrolet Maple Leaf truck at the front -- but we're not sure about bolting a 1957 Cadillac to the back... Photo by Jil McIntosh
  12. A 1939 Dodge hearse has some serious muscle propelling it, but would you want to be caught dead in it?
    A 1939 Dodge hearse has some serious muscle propelling it, but would you want to be caught dead in it? Photo by Jil McIntosh
  13. This car was part of a rat rod challenge and was driven 2,250 kilometres to the show, but that front end just doesn't match the back end...
    This car was part of a rat rod challenge and was driven 2,250 kilometres to the show, but that front end just doesn't match the back end... Photo by Jil McIntosh
  14. A very short and very quick 1959 Chevrolet El Camino: what do you think?
    A very short and very quick 1959 Chevrolet El Camino: what do you think? Photo by Jil McIntosh
  15. We're torn on
    We're torn on "Grasshopper," a 1965 Ford Econoline: It's got a mid-mounted 460-cid (7.5-L) V8, but there's also a bit too much happening on it overall. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  16. A monster of a monster truck.
    A monster of a monster truck. Photo by Jil McIntosh
  17. Yes, this is a Lamborghini.
    Yes, this is a Lamborghini. Photo by Fred Bottcher
  18. This 1949 Chevrolet pickup was first built in 2009, with a handmade tube frame, and then rebuilt early this year with a new engine and LED lights in the frame.
    This 1949 Chevrolet pickup was first built in 2009, with a handmade tube frame, and then rebuilt early this year with a new engine and LED lights in the frame. Photo by Fred Bottcher

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Taste is subjective, and we’ve collected here a few cars that fall on the other side of it, for us. Top among those are “bro-dozers,” as some call them — radically lifted trucks more for show than go. Truth is, most are bought or leased specifically so aftermarket parts can be bolted on for a highest-of-the-high display at SEMA. Once the show is over, these new parts come off, the original parts go back on, and you’d never know they’d ever been show queens.

Rat rods – rough and rusty – seemed to have peaked a few years back, but there are still a few shops turning them out. There’s a lot of work that goes into them, but we’re getting a little tired of seeing cars that look like they’re built with whatever was lying around the shop.

We found a chopped-up Lamborghini, an overworked Jeep Gladiator and a bike called CAKE, among others. Top-notch, tentative or terrible? Tell us what you think.

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