Happening, SEMA 2010

Following on from Mike Garrett’s great coverage of SEMA, I’ll follow up with the first of my general observations at the show.
One of my favorite cars at the show was this 1970 Camaro by Spectre. Originally purchased on eBay from the Chicago Police(!) this car became a development workhouse for Spectre before a full rebuild recently. A new LS1 power plant was sourced.

I love the bodywork changes which includes Carbon nose, hood and trunk.


I could live with that!

Staying with the Camaro, this 'SSX' Track-Day car was developed by GM Design using GM Performance Parts, I thought this was one of the stars of the show. Nice and clean. Form follows function.
Car Spotlight coming soon.

As a Brit, the Brand Mercury wasn't really on my radar until I moved here, but I love these old cars.
Two Merc’ caught my attention. This 1950 Mercury Custom Touring by Cotati Speed Shop was stunning. Over 5000hours of work so far!

Can’t wait to see this finished.

Another Mercury which caught my eye was this 4 door ’49 Mercury Sled. Amazing build quality.
Another Speedhunters Car Spotlight coming soon, courtesy of Rod.

I was amazed how popular the Satin/Matte finish trend remains. This was one of the more successful treatments with a Satin White base and Black accents.
We’ve discussed this before in the office and I thought the craze was beginning to die down,,,, but it was back with a vengeance this year!
Last year, a couple of cars used Gloss base with Satin or Matte accents and I was surprised that didn’t take off more at this year’s ‘Fashion Show’.

Never the less, we did this Gloss/Satin on the hood of RTR-X and we think it was a good balance and always had people checking it out. 

Everything from a rare Jaguar XJ220S in a Satin Grey(and yes, it has been painted, it is not a wrap)…..

to this Kia Koup-R...

and Jon Sibal’s own Dodge Challenger were in Matte Black.
For each car which looked good, there were at least two which didn’t! This finish is very dependent on the car shape and surface.

I’m still to to be convinced of colored Satin finishes, but Red…sorry Pink (see the Red Kia Sportage in the background of the Kia Koup image as an example!)and Blue were seen at SEMA with mixed results. Orange is an exception, this Lotus Exige did look good.
Some of these are full body wraps such as John’s Challenger, while others are paint.
I can only assume the Matte/Satin craze has now reached its peak…. What do YOU, the Speedhunters audience think?

Hyundai was a popular stand at SEMA with a good selection of concepts. Just as Mike posted, I liked this Dub Edition Hyundai Sonata, again with Satin finish!  Didn’t like the rear end, but I’ll spare you that!.

Although closed off by Tensa-Barriers, it was good to get a close look at Rhys Millens Pikes-Peak car. Extreme!

I think the whole Speedhunters and Need for Speed team could have had a picnic on that rear wing.

Rhys also had his Formula Drift car at the show. Keen eyes will notice the car now has Hankook sponsorship for 2011.
Formula Drift was well represented with many cars at the show including Vaughn’s Championship winning machine, Bergenholtz Racing RX8, Ryuji Miki’s Lexus  and Patrick Mordaunt’s 350Z

I’ll leave you with this gem on the Enkei stand. Screw that Camaro and the Fiat 500 I posted the other day, I'll take this one instead!
More SEMA coverage soo