This past week, Linkage was in Las Vegas for the annual SEMA show — the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association’s main event of the year — where the best of the automotive aftermarket was on display over a million square feet of convention center space.
If you’re looking to see trends in the classic car world, particularly when it comes to modern interpretations and tastes, this is a good place to start. Influential builds and products compete here for attention from a mass of industry insiders. No, the general public isn’t allowed inside — and yet, it still draws droves of attendees from around the globe to both present and learn about some of the best products of the year.
Here are some shots from inside the show, as taken by Linkage’s editors.
There’s no slowing the classic truck movement, at least not yet. They were everywhere on the floor at SEMA, including this ’68 Chevrolet at the Barrett-Jackson booth.Alternative power options are expanding and evolving. This E-Camaro is a great example……as is this ReVolt-equipped classic Cord, now an EV. Nothing is sacred!More proof? How about a Ferrari Dino EV? Blasphemy or balance?It’s not just EV power that’s making waves. This ’57 Chevy features a late-model Hemi running on Hydrogen, built by the team at Arrington Performance.No gasoline needed — and the supercharged Hemi sounds just like it’s supposed to.Then again, some things never change — top-level custom car builds are the norm here. This is Kindig’s “Twelveair” custom Corvette, winner of the Ridler Award and sparkling under special lighting.But there are also other cutting-edge ideas, such as a completely carbon fiber Datsun 240Z. RONIN, by Grayscale auto, features a flat-plane V8 for power.SEMA’s Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year was Blazin Rods’ 1970 Chevelle wide body. It features 3D-based design and printing techniques, with style and performance aimed at GT Cup-level cars. It makes 2,800 hp via a twin-turbo 540-ci big block.Japanese cars from the 1970s continue to turn heads here, including this clean turbo Celica.…As do Euro imports from the 1980s, such as this E30 BMW.The Gunther Werks 911 was a showstopper as well.Practical solutions are also a staple of SEMA, particularly for car collectors. Have six cars and only floor space for two? Why not go up?
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