It’s impossible to grasp the size of the SEMA show until you actually experience it. There are thousands of builds created by tens of thousands of dedicated enthusiasts excited to share their passion with the world. While we would love to spend the full week delving into each and every build, there simply isn’t enough time. So, we picked a few of our early favorites from this year’s show. Hopefully, you’ll find them as endearing as we do.
📌 The Core Development
Kei cars are already an adorable bunch, but add in Rocket Bunny’s Pandem Pocket Bunny kit, and now you’re talking best-in-show cute at your local car show. What you’re looking at here is a pair of Suzuki Twins built into R32 and R34 GT-Rs. These specific examples were built with no expense spared. The R32 makes around 120 horsepower from its turbocharged 1.0-liter, while the R34’s Twin was left more stock. – Jack Fitzgerald
I found this chopped-up Tesla Cybertruck parked in the back corner of the Central Hall, covered in Grand Theft Auto VI and Rockstar Games branding. Somehow, with a sports car figure and a giant APR spoiler, the Cybertruck’s styling looks good? – Carter Fry
🔍 Background & Sector Context
Can’t help but grin looking at this track-spec first-gen Toyota Tacoma . Not pictured is the engine mounted out back in the bed, below the massive rear wing. – Carter Fry
No, you’re not looking at some AI hallucination of a Lexus pickup that doesn’t exist. This is the Meso Customs TX1, a legitimate Lexus pickup based on the Toyota Tacoma and built by the crew at Meso Customs. The front end takes on the look of a Lexus GX , and even the interior gets overhauled to look and feel like what you’d get from the luxury brand. – Jack Fitzgerald
📊 Industry & Real-World Impact
There are plenty of ways to get your race car to the track, but most of them involve purpose-built haulers based on proven HD trucks. Builder Raymond Canales looked at the available options and said, “I can do better.” Then he set to work creating this tag-axle VW hauler based on the beloved Type 2, giving new meaning to its “Transporter” surname. Built specifically to transport his VW Beetle race car, the Type 2 Hauler is just the kind of inspired lunacy with a practical purpose that we can get behind. – Andrew Wendler
Benchmark Telemetry & EV Fuel Savings
Put top supercars and EVs to the test in The Pit Stop Lab — launch head-to-head 1/4-mile drag strip battles & compute EPA electric fuel cost savings.
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🔮 Strategic Outlook & What Lies Ahead
Mark Denlinger’s Mad Customs is responsible for this Chevy wagon build. While Nomads get most of the love, this 210 four-door wagon restomod features a natural patina to complement its subtle hardware updates. Yes, it’s lowered, but so deftly it almost appears to just be sitting on a worn suspension; the Forgeline EO1 wheels are painted black to keep a low profile; keep the hood closed, and you’d never see its LT4 GM V-8. Denlinger also fabbed up custom tubs to clear the rear tires and modified the cargo floor to clear the custom exhaust that was crafted in-house. With apologies to Michael Jackson, this is one smooth criminal—if you know where to look. – Andrew Wendler
Steve Stroppe has a history of clean builds, and this Z/28 does nothing to sully that legacy. Featuring a carbureted Chevy big-block and a massaged turbo-hydromantic 400 transmission with a Gear Vendors overdrive, it pays respect to builds of the past. But the craftsmanship is so meticulous, and the Ice Gray Metallic paint and Graphite Blue interior are so sublime, the whole thing makes a contemporary statement without trying too hard. The Camaro was basically the poster child for custom builds in the ‘80s and ‘90s, but for those of us raised in the Rust Belt, there’s still something special about a well-executed 1969 Z/28 project. – Andrew Wendler
