© Mike Meredith
What Happens at SEMA . . .
Every year the Specialty Equipment Market Association takes over the 3,200,000 square feet of floor space and parking lots surrounding the Las Vegas Convention Center for a weeklong trade show that covers everything automotive. Most exhibitors feature cars, trucks or SUVs in their displays to showcase their products or simply to attract attention — and the more extreme the vehicle, the better. Tens of thousands attend the SEMA Show each year, and while a trade show and not open to the public, it’s the one auto show every enthusiast wants to attend. Consider this your all-access pass to see some of the wildest rides we could find this year in Las Vegas.
© Mike Meredith
Equadoline
Built by Gordy Tronson at Gordy’s Garage in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Equadoline started life as a 1962 Ford Econoline Pickup before the bed was removed and replaced by a hand-built tube chassis to receive four supercharged Ford 4.6-liter V8 engines. The front suspension and rear end are from a C7 Corvette, with a Getrag 6-speed transaxle and coil-over rear shocks. Total output is estimated at 4000 horsepower. Yes, four thousand. Not a typo.
© Mike Meredith
The Stampede Rod
Built by Welderup in Las Vegas, Nevada, and featured on the second episode of the Discovery Channel show “Vegas Rat Rods,” The Stampede Rod is a 1930 Ford Model A with a custom roll cage, powered by a twin-turbocharged Cummins 4BT diesel engine that produces close to 400 horsepower. The Stampede Rod also carries two bottles of nitrous.
© Mike Meredith
1932 Ford Custom “Double Down”
Built to showcase Jet-Hot Coatings, the first noticeable thing about the “Double Down” is a transfer case sticking out from beneath the grille — evidence that this ’32 Ford Custom is all-wheel drive. Power comes from a 576-cubic-inch Jon Kaase Boss 9 engine prepped by Kurt Urban with a G-Force 5-speed transmission. The front pushrod suspension required moving the radiator to the rear, in addition to front coilovers and rear shocks from RideTech.
© Mike Meredith
Thunderstruck
Designed by Steve Stanford and built by Eddie’s Rods and Customs, this sleek 1967 Ford Thunderbird features purple paint by Wayne Saunders and an interior done by Eddie Potestio of Eddie’s Rods and Customs.
© Mike Meredith
1933 Ford Roadster
Owned by Larry Olson from Sioux Falls, South Dakota and built by Bobby Alloway in Louisville, Tennessee, this 1933 Ford Roadster won the 2015 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award and the Grand National Roadster Show.
© Mike Meredith
Lamborghini Aventador
Finished in black and matte gray with lime green BForged wheels.
© Mike Meredith
Creative Bespoke Ferrari 458 Speciale
This Ferrari 458 Speciale features GFG forged modular wheels.
© Mike Mesredith
Ford F-350 Super Duty Copper
Low-rider F-350 Super Duty Copper with matte black paint, copper wheels and copper details, showcasing Nitrous Express products.
© Mike Meredith
Badger smart fortwo
This smart fortwo features highly detailed airbrush art to showcase Badger Air-Brush Co. products.
© Mike Meredith
RC F GT3 by Lexus
Lexus will return to racing in 2016 with Paul Gentilozzi and F Performance in the new RC F GT3 based on the Lexus RC F production car. Veteran sports car driver Scott Pruett will pilot the RC F GT3 in a limited schedule for 2016 with a full schedule planned for 2017.
© Mike Meredith
Nissan GT-R
The finish on this Nissan GT-R may look like metal, but it’s actually thick layers of paint that have been taped, carved and sculpted, then finished with metallic paint and clear coat.
© Mike Meredith
Lamborghini Huracan
Finished in matte purple, this Lamborghini Huracan features Vorsteiner wheels.
© Mike Meredith
Creative Bespoke Ferrari 458 Spider
Black Ferrari 458 Spider with red accents and red forged modular wheels.
© Mike Meredith
Kia Ballast Point Sedona
Kia and Ballast Point Brewery transformed this Kia Sedona minivan into a mobile beer stand with two taps.