SEMA. The mere word will bring a big grin to any car enthusiast's face. This year's show, held in Las Vegas from November 4-7, 2014 was bigger than ever and ensured everybody attending smiled ear to ear. SEMA—Specialty Equipment Market Association—covers over 1.5 million square feet of indoor space at the Las Vegas Convention Center and every square foot of asphalt and concrete outside this center is reserved for even more cars.
Chevrolet kicked off the party early by hosting a media preview of just some of their cars and trucks that were on the SEMA show floor. Jimmie Johnson, fresh from a NASCAR victory, presented his restomodded gray 1971 Corvette. They also showcased the newest edition of the COPO Camaro—the exclusive drag strip prepped car. But perhaps the biggest star was the "Blue Devil", the 2009 Corvette ZR1 that had been damaged in the Corvette Museum's famed "sinkhole". Specialists at Chevrolet had taken this beast under their wing and restored it to its former glory in time for SEMA. After the show, the Corvette was whisked away to Bowling Green, KY and its place in history.
Most of the major car manufacturers come out for the SEMA show and bring out both production models and concept cars. This gives them a chance to gauge the interest of the public towards these cars and trucks. Ford had a drifting track out front that also housed a Mustang from each of the 50 years it has been manufactured. Vendors come out showing off their newest products and ideas. Just when you think you have seen it all, someone wows you with fresh new ideas and innovations. One man designed a twenty inch rim that mimics a wide white wall look. A different vendor even incorporated a beer pong layout in their tailgate protector. Ah, American ingenuity!
Speed and the National Hot Rod Association are always big at the show. NHRA hosts a breakfast each year with racers, including John Force, Antron Brown, Tony Schumacher and Gary Scelzi, telling behind the scene stories and lies. This event keeps drawing more fans each year. Who says drag racing is dying?
But the stars of this show have to be the more than 1,500 cars and trucks that are crammed into every square foot of this showcase.
Vendors bring out cars to show off their products and lure potential buyers off the carpeted aisles. Other cars and trucks are parked outside in rows and rows to be a part of the show and demonstrated their owners' visions and craftsmanship.
One of the best parts of the show, and one I personally look forward to, is the SEMA Cruise. The cars and trucks that have been cooped up all week, finally roar to life and cruise out of the convention center and tear down the streets of Las Vegas.
The cars and trucks competing in Optima's Ultimate Street Car Invitational (held the weekend after SEMA) led the parade of cars. On this final night of SEMA, the public was invited to a casino parking lot for "SEMA Ignited" where they could see firsthand many of the cars and trucks from SEMA and where car builders showcased their passion and metalwork. A white 1969 Camaro built by Kyle Tucker won the SEMA Ultimate Builder Award during a contest slated for airing on television later in 2015.
Next year's show will be held again in Las Vegas, but is only open to the "trade", so for many of our readers these pictures may be the closest you get to see these awesome cars in person!