SEMA 2009 Take Two : The Toys

Perhaps the biggest draw at SEMA isn’t in seeing the cars you expect to see. Clearly we saw  modified VW’s, tuned Audi’s and Porsches ready for the racetrack. But beyond the bounds of our beloved brands exists a world of ‘one-off”* magic. There are literally thousands of examples of these cars whose modifications find an intersection at the limits of imagination and engineering.  As a 3ZERO3 Motorsports attendee, our expectations are skewed.  We are expecting not the unusual but the impossible. We want to see shades of the automotive rainbow that we didn’t know existed .

{*one-off: noun; 1. Limited to a single time, occasion, or instance. 2. Singular, unique.}

Take look at what makes some of these show cars SEMA-worthy.

SEMA-WORTHY.

The defining characteristics of a SEMA worthy show car aren’t necessarily the mere presence of high horspower, extensive body and paint work, extensive multimedia installations, etc.

Rather it is the clever and unique approaches to communicating the purpose of each vehicle that make these show cars stand above all others. It is not just enough to have a fully built engine in your car, often it is the unique engine swaps, or futuristic power plants that make these applications unique and truly SEMA worthy.

Here is a taste of what caught our eye.

Baja racers like this, are very cool if say, it was parked in your garage. But at SEMA, this vehicle alone is not that interesting…..

……Until you get close enough to find out that mounted above the rear axle is a Viper V10 !

Again it is the extreme combinations that make these cars so special. Vintage hot rod with a great 2 tone paint job is cool, but turning it into a drag car? NOW that is SEMA worthy.

What recession ? Someone had enough cash to buy a brand new Bentley, take it all apart, paint it flat charcoal grey, and add custom body work.

The F1 inspired rear diffuser indicates the speedy intentions of yet another brutally modified Bentley.

So meaty. Like someone built a Bentley for Batman.

More flat paint on $250,000 supercars. The resurgence of flat paint is a welcome change from the candy paint themes which is now all but passe on these italian exotics.

Did you see the sled in tow behind this STI ? Clever.

At first glance, this H1 Hummer doesn’t seem all that impressive.

Until you take a look at the prototype Michelin tires ! Who needs tire pressure ? Very cool possibilities for the future.

This Speed Demon salt flat racer lives up to its name, recording speeds above 425 MPH. It is these lunatics, who play a big part in the development of everyday vehicle safety equipment. The trickle down effect of their technology does benefit the mainstream consumer. But If you asked them, I think they have their own reasons for driving that fast.

Street rod meets Diesel rig ? That engine is larger than most new Volkswagen vehicles.

Art in the rust, and art in the paint. To me Rat Rods are all about art. Art in every detail.

Classic.

Would you believe this behemoth gets 50MPG ? Okay it doesn’t, and probably never could. Jut look how HUGE it is.

Richard Petty y’all.

3ZERO3 Motorsports continues to bend over backwards for our fans and customers. Whether online or in Denver, Colorado, 3ZERO3 Motorsports is your first choice for maintenance, repair, high performance tuning, and motorsports applications for Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche vehicles. If you have a question for anyone of our factory trained, and independently motivated service advisors, parts specialists, or technicians, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Comments

Nov 9, 2009
Stan
Yo, Max, the pictures are awesome. I want that ‘48 Merc.


Nov 9, 2009
Max
Stan, the lead sled is amazing. so classic. I think you can have the 48, if you can get it off the ground !


Nov 10, 2009
Zac Foxx
Great pictures Max! And I agree with you about the flat paint… spectacular.

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