The annual SEMA show, held this time of year in Sin City, is supposed to be a commercial-grade gathering of aftermarket parts suppliers selling their wares to other companies. If you’re getting into making replacement panels for a square-body Chevy, for example, this should be the place to meet potential customers.
What the soirée has turned into, however, is a multi-day party in which suppliers, hot-rod shops, and automakers trot out wild custom vehicles as a flex on their abilities to build outrageous one-off rides. It is also a de facto auto show for OEMs, to which they bring vehicles which can range from bonkers engineering projects; to rolling accessory catalogs.
With that sort of vitae, you know we had to take this opportunity to single out a handful of machines identified by our crack editorial team (most of whom admittedly have unique tastes) as some of the hits and misses of the annual parts party in the desert.
1967 Plymouth GTX Electromod Concept
We’d be remiss if we didn’t start this list off with this all-electric concept from Mopar. Jil Mcintosh ably covered its introduction a week ago, but it is worth reiterating the car has a crate EV kit making 335 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Driving range is in the neighbourhood of 400 clicks on a full charge.
Ringbrothers INVADR Buick Grand National
It’s difficult to make this G-Body look any more sinister than it did when rolled out of the factory — but the INVADR manages to pull it off. Those are Michelin Cup 2 tires on a massive 345 section out back, pairing well with the bespoke body work that includes tucked bumpers and ample carbon-fibre. Under the hood is a twin-turbocharged (boosted to 32 lbs!) variant of the storied 3.8L V6, making a stunning 1,246 horsepower and mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
2024 Toyota GR Suprabird
In what some NASCAR fans may classify an act of heresy, Toyota has dressed up a GR Supra in the famous ‘43’ livery raced for ages by none other than Richard Petty. How did this seemingly unholy union of Petty Blue and Toyota Supra manifest? Thank, or blame, the fact that The King is one of Toyota’s newest ambassadors.
The team known as Legacy Motor Club, formerly Petty GMS, wheels cars from that brand, an arrangement which began this year. It also helps that Toyota ambassador Rutledge Wood is good buddies with Kyle Petty.
HotPartsUSA V10(?)-powered Mazda Miata
This one is creating some controversy, partly because it is a Miata with what appears to be a V10 engine shoved up its nose; and partly because no one is presently sure if the thing actually runs. Some on social media are trolling the builders, saying this build may be a Lambo intake fitted atop an American V8, with turbochargers for eyes that may or may not be purely decorative. Even if this is an elaborate cart for a non-functioning engine, it still looks appropriately bonkers.
Ringbrothers TUKA Chevy Blazer
Swinging back to brothers Jim and Mike Ring for a moment, they are also showing off a 1972 Chevrolet Blazer restomodded to the zenith by putting the classic K5 body and modern 525-hp V8 crate engine atop the chassis of a 2016 Toyota Tacoma. Wait, what? At least the “TUKA” name now makes a lick of sense.
Controversial in the extreme, this build somehow just works, with a great stance and custom interior which also manages to successfully blend new-school Toyota with vintage Chevy. This is one for the books.
Nissan R34 GT-R from Built by Legends
If a speed shop is willing to call themselves a bunch of “legends,” they’d better be ready to back it up with a raft of killer builds. Fortunately, this Japanese company seems up to the task. After showing off a restored and mildly modded R34 Skyline earlier this year, they cranked efforts to 11 with this unit — presented in Bayside Blue, of course.
The formula is similar to what Singer does to Porsche 911 sports cars, with improved gear like bushings and brakes playing alongside a body which looks stock but incorporates a raft of trick upgrades.
Alchemy “Sorcerer” Ford Super Bronco
Being at the helm of a vintage Ford Bronco powered by a modern Megazilla – you know, Ford’s 7.3L V8 engine – pushed to 612 horsepower sounds like an excellent time. This is exactly the formula followed by the chemists at Alchemy, all bolted to a custom chassis and a widebody peppered with 3D-printed parts (grille, fender flares, vents, et al). This is a two-door Bronco with a 93-inch wheelbase, but apparently there is also a four-door variant coming to future shows.
Editor’s Pick: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren “Là SLR”
I couldn’t let Matt have all the fun, could I? Like him, I’m not on the ground at SEMA in Vegas this year, but feasting my eyes on some of the rides above, that may be more of a blessing than a curse. I’ve nevertheless been taking in tonnes of off-the-wall builds from the exposition virtually, and, boy, are the some zany ones.
I specifically wanted to add to this list one of the SEMA 2024 debuts I think may have a crack at the most-outrageous title, this Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren by John Sarkisyan of California coachbuilder S Klub that’s been dubbed “Là SLR.” The Speed Racer Mach 5 inspiration is readily apparent, but the specific changes include custom bubble windshields and a unique 30-piece body kit that adds 10 inches to the SLR’s fenders. Hey, and since I’ve got the ol’ typewriter fired up anyway—
Editor’s Pick: Blazin Rods’ 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle “Doughboy”
Blazin Rodz out of California bills itself as “a new team of young builders pushing the boundaries of innovation in the custom car world.” It brought two boundary-pushers to SEMA 2024, a 1,500-hp carbon-fibre-bodied ’70 Dodge Charger, “Sangria,” destined for a Hemmings auction post-event. But if you’re looking for some real “innovation,” turn your attention to its other build, the ’70 Chevrolet Chevelle known as “Doughboy.”
Combining “the power of a drag racing car with the style of a GT cup car and the luxury of a modern sports car,” this 2,800-horsepower twin-turbo monstrosity is on this list to balance out the demure, battery-powered approach to American muscle that Stellantis took with its GTX Electromod. I mean, just look at this thing—does it get any more SEMA than this? —Ed.
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