November 8, 2009
Cool Booth: Scion At SEMA
By Jen Dunnaway
Editor-at-Large
It seems like Scion’s booth gets better with each successive SEMA. This time around, it seemed to be scaled down a little from last year, but that made for a more efficient delivery–Scion’s offerings really were all fun, no filler. Every single vehicle present had undergone extreme modifications, like the roofless Cartell Customs tC below the jump, or was being used to showcase some visionary over-the-top concept, like the “mobile kitchen” xB, the wood-bed pickup conversion with the moped in the back, or the “DJ 2.0″ by Five Axis–complete with lights and disco balls, a monster Pioneer sound system, and a mini dance floor. A trio of rides from Scion’s xB Tuner Challenge rounded out the fleet, including this turbocharged xB by Peter Colello. The theme for the booth was “Become One Of Us By Becoming None Of Us,” in keeping with the brand’s emphasis on individualism and transformation. Follow the jump for more pics and a video tour.
November 7, 2009
Electric Beauty: Porsche 912 EV at SEMA
By Jen Dunnaway
Editor-at-Large
It’s a 1976 912 packing 85 3.3v lithium ion batteries. They power a NetGain Warp11 DC motor, which puts go to the wheels via an original Porsche 5-speed transmission. Built by Sunshine State Restorations in consultation with the Tallahassee Area Electric Vehicle Association. The overall effect? An ultra-clean classic EV. See more…
Continue reading "Electric Beauty: Porsche 912 EV at SEMA" »
Nostalgic Camaro SS To Pace 2010 Indy 500?
By Jen Dunnaway
Editor-at-Large
There’s been a slew of 2010 Camaro pace cars in the last year at high-profile motorsports events like Indy and the Daytona 500. The Sprint Cup series ran the ultra-hot Cyber Grey Camaro in a number of the races this season, and it’s become a welcome part of race-day scenery. However, I haven’t seen a pace car at the as hot as this retro-styled SS, made over by KAO Auto Styling as an update of the 1969 Camaro SS that served as the Indy 500 pace car that year. While this one obviously isn’t a convertible, the tribute was pitch-perfect: I love the louvered rear window and the nostalgic fender badging. The graphics indicate it’s going to be the official pace car for next year’s 500 on May 31, but the “For Sale” sticker suggests it’s probably just a concept.
Continue reading "Nostalgic Camaro SS To Pace 2010 Indy 500?" »
Another Surprise Truck at SEMA: A Datsun 620 "'Lil Hustler" Pickup
By Jim Brennan
UDMan
In the central hall, buried among the many forgetful vendors at this years SEMA, I found this curious little number at the Sure Shifter display, a mid 70’s Datsun 620 Pickup. This truck is set up as a little Drag Truck, with the usual Matte Black finish that seems to be THE paint job at this show. Read more after the jump!
Continue reading "Another Surprise Truck at SEMA: A Datsun 620 "'Lil Hustler" Pickup" »
November 6, 2009
SEMA 2009: Over and Out!
By John Coyle
Deputy Editor
So the reports about the death of SEMA had been greatly exaggerated. We hope y’all enjoyed our coverage, because we had one hell of a time posting it. Personally, it was awesome to be back in a little room typing, swearing, and laughing with my Seattle crew, and getting to watch them sing along with the with the balloon artist/guitar player/one-man-band at Terrible’s was just brilliant. SEMA is a wonderful reminder of why we bust our knuckles covering cars and car culture, and I love, love, love it. Rob and Jen are in the air right now, and I hope that Jim—who I apparently offended with the unprintable way I express myself—is asleep on a plane headed back to the Great Northeast. I am ready to fall down and sleep off this whole week, which might happen soon, because soldier Michelle—who could pilot a semi truck through the eye of a needle—has been charged with the unfortunate assignment of driving my drunken ass back to California. After Rob, Jen, and I sober up, we’ll be posting all of our SEMA cleanup coverage, so stay tuned, and thanks for reading! Viva SEMA!
All Up In Their Booth: the General at SEMA
By John Coyle
Deputy Editor
Did you know the General brought back the Camaro for 2010? There’s no way I’d have known,except for the fact that you can’t walk six inches at SEMA without bumping into one. I’m kidding, obviously, and I don’t mean to sound like I’m begrudging my favorite domestic automaker all the fanfare surrounding the return of its legendary muscle car. I think the boys and girls at GM did a great job with the Camaro, and the silver one in the pic below is so hot it makes me want to use expletives. To be honest, I’m a little pissed that we aren’t going to see a NASCAR version, but the Hancoock/Seibon car that’s going to run in Formula D—which is posted after the jump—is wicked, and the ZR1 was a close second for the car I wanted to shoplift from SEMA. Oh, and from the looks of the booth, you’d never know Lutz’s overlords were trying to pawn Hummer off on the Chinese. Tons of pics after the jump.
Continue reading "All Up In Their Booth: the General at SEMA" »
SEMA Best of Show: Ring Brothers '64 Fairlane
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
Best of Show, the award for “outstanding achievement in design,” went to this incredible Ring Brothers ‘64 Fairlane in the BASF booth. The car is powered by a Roush 427, rolls on Forgeline 3-piece wheels, and sports a carbon fiber hood, front and rear bumpers, side air intakes and deck lid spoilers. This was one of the hardest cars to photograph cause it was always mobbed. More pics and a quick video after the jump!
Continue reading "SEMA Best of Show: Ring Brothers '64 Fairlane" »
The 1957 Bel Air SS at the Eaton Booth
By Jim Brennan
UDMan
I had a chance to interview the builders of this particular machine. Its a cool, one of a kind 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air aptly named the Bel Air SS. Continue reading after the jump!
1965 C-10 in the Odyssey Booth at SEMA
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
I really liked this Chevy pickup built by Street Customs & Restorations of Mooresville, NC. I especially liked the look of the red engine bay on a black truck. More pics and a quick video after the jump!
Interview with the Builder of our "Guess the JDM Minivan" Minivan
By Jim Brennan
UDMan
Thanks to all the participants in the “Guess the JDM Minivan” posting here on CarDomain. We do have a winner, and its noname666, who happened to guess it almost when the posting went live. So much for the experts here at SEMA! Continue reading after the jump!
Continue reading "Interview with the Builder of our "Guess the JDM Minivan" Minivan" »
