The wild rides of the 2019

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world segmented into 12 sections with over 2,400 exhibitors and a New Product Showcase featuring nearly 3,000 newly introduced parts, tools and components.

The SEMA Show draws the industry’s brightest minds, hottest products and over 70,000 domestic and international buyers to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more.

The SEMA Show is a trade-only event and not open to the general public.

The overwhelming size of the annual SEMA Show is a testament to the diversity of, and enthusiasm for the automotive aftermarket. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and boasting over one-million square feet of display area, the SEMA Show is unequaled anywhere.

Over the four day event, industry and trade representatives meet, mingle, share, learn, interact, teach, and promote all things automotive-related. What comes from this massive trade show are trends and products you will see on dealer lots, catalogs, online and in enthusiast publications.

What comes from this massive trade show are trends and products you will see on dealer lots, catalogs, online and in enthusiast publications.

The SEMA organization (Specialty Equipment Market Association) is an advocate for all things auto-related. A very truncated list to give you a sense of their influence in the industry includes: authoring the RPM Act, designed for the protection of race cars from being legislated out of existence. SEMA also helps businesses navigate the challenges of submitting the proper forms and test vehicles for Air Resource Board review in order to prove their aftermarket parts do not cause emissions over stock, thereby (potentially) be granted an Executive Order (EO) Number, allowing the sale of emissions-related aftermarket equipment in all 50 States. The organization hosts seminars at the SEMA Show to help businesses learn new methods in marketing, promotion, business development and many other avenues of learning and business promotion. SEMA also has vehicle measuring events, whereby businesses interested in developing new product for the latest models of vehicles, are made available on special days. SEMA also offers the SEMA Data CoOp program which structures manufacturer product input and makes it readily available to dealers, ensuring the flow of information, part numbers, and images are disseminated and accurate, which ensures the product is properly represented, including fitment.

These are but a very few of the many, many ways SEMA supports and bolsters the aftermarket industry. But, as with many grand efforts, if you aren’t in need of these offerings – say, you don’t own an auto-related business, or represent a cool car-product, or manufacture an aftermarket widget thingy – you are blissfully unaware of the significance of the SEMA organization.

So I’ll assume you are the latter. That said, let’s leave the huge aftermarket industry to utilize the SEMA Show for their own particular needs, and we, as consumers, will find joy in the products that will soon be available because of this amazing show.

Now let’s talk about what the SEMA Show really is!

Now let’s talk about what the SEMA Show really is! The SEMA Show is the most spectacular car show ever! The prestige from displaying a vehicle in a manufacturer’s booth, being chosen as a Battle Of The Builders participant, or perhaps being picked as a Young Guns builder, or even influential auto makers showing the very latest model to the public at the SEMA Show, which elevates each of these contributors to respected heights. The cars, trucks, SUVs, off-road vehicles, and the many other forms that display are the very best, and they are shined up, polished and presented with pride before their peers. Every single vehicle is the very best of the best. Being asked to show at SEMA is a great opportunity to show-off your skills as a builder or show the industry how to set a new trend.

 Every single vehicle is the very best of the best.

So, since SEMA is “trade only” and the general public is prohibited from attending (which makes sense, given the aforementioned), We are taking the opportunity to distill this overwhelming show down to just a killer car show. However, we will be presenting some of the awesome new products showcased at SEMA in next month’s issue..

The selections of vehicles chosen for the SEMA Show issue of Drive are but a drop in the proverbial bucket. But these were hand-picked for their special character, build quality, freshness and the general cool-factor that each of the SEMA Show display vehicles share, is that they have displayed at SEMA.

…and the general cool-factor that each of the SEMA Show display vehicles share, is that they have displayed at SEMA. 

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Jay Leno’s 1968 Bronco

Originally a gag gift from fellow latenight TV host Craig Ferguson, LGE-CTS Motorsport and help from Ford Performance, Kincer Chassis, Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts and SEMA Garage.

The Bronco was left for Leno as a joke. Craig Ferguson arranged for it to be parked in Leno’s spot on the eve of his last Tonight Show taping. Ferguson had no idea how rare these models are. But long-time car collector Leno knew. He happily accepted the gift which ended up sitting in his garage unrestored until recently.

“Bronco was an iconic vehicle that was many things to many people,” said Leno. “The Bronco was bought to use on the farm or to take your date to the prom and was comfortable in any of these environments. The idea of having a classic Bronco upgraded with modern handling, performance and braking really makes it the best of both worlds.”

The 1968 Bronco wagon will be seen on an upcoming episode of Jay Leno’s Garage on CNBC and will be showcased in detail on Jay Leno’s Garage on YouTube.

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