By SEMA Editors
 Tim Allen's Smokey Yunick-inspired ’68 Camaro built by renowned custom-car builder Bodie Stroud. |
Classic Industries to Showcase Two Iconic Camaros at 2013 SEMA Show
The 2013 Classic Industries SEMA Show display, Booth #23975, will host two Camaro builds this November. One is a ’69 427 Camaro—a collector car built by drag-racing pioneer “Mr. Chevrolet” Dick Harrell. The other is a Smokey Yunick-inspired car—a ’68 model built by renowned custom-car builder Bodie Stroud for actor/comedian Tim Allen. The Dick Harrell ’69 427 Camaro, recently added to the Classic Industries collection, left the factory as an SS 396 car. It was immediately sent to the Dick Harrell Performance Center to be upgraded with an iron-block 427ci with a ZL1-spec camshaft, a set of 4.56 gears and Lakewood traction bars.
Tim Allen’s ’68 Camaro, built by Bodie Stroud, has been upgraded with a 505hp LS7 427 V8, steering and suspension by Detroit Speed, Brembo brakes and a variety of other subtle custom touches. This Camaro collaboration between Allen and Stroud was recently televised on Speed Channel’s "Hot Rod TV" with parts supplied by Classic Industries. The project originally aired June 8, 2013, and took seven months to build using hundreds of parts from Classic Industries, including bumpers, spoilers and many interior specialty items. Classic Industries will host the first public unveiling of the car during the upcoming 2013 SEMA Show in November.
 Richard Colliver |
Katzkin Names Richard Colliver to Advisory Board
Industry veteran Richard Colliver, former executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., has joined Katzkin’s Advisory Board with a focus on helping Katzkin expand its automotive manufacturer programs. According to Brooks Mayberry, chief executive officer for Katzkin, customization has become a consumer expectation. “Automotive manufacturers are keenly aware of this trend, with consumers spending more than $30 billion annually in specialty automotive products. The lines between custom vehicles from the factory and the aftermarket are blurring as consumers demand more choice,” said Mayberry. He also noted that vehicle interior personalization allows the automotive manufacturer to respond to consumer wants and needs with vehicle interiors that are tailored to individual tastes and lifestyles, giving customers more choices and automotive brands greater identity. Prior to joining Honda, Colliver spent more than 20 years with Mazda Motors of America. During his Mazda tenure, he held executive positions overseeing vehicle and parts distribution, business planning, dealer placement, dealer operations and feasibility analysis for new product lines. Prior to joining Mazda, Colliver held a number of sales and marketing positions with General Motors and Chrysler.
Toyo Tires “Drive Within” Sweepstakes Awards UFC 167 Experience; Includes Dinner With Anthony “Showtime” Pettis
Toyo Tires will send one fan on an exclusive, behind-the-scenes trip to UFC 167 in Las Vegas—the grand prize in the Toyo Tires “The Drive Within. What’s Yours?” sweepstakes running now through October 13 on Facebook. The Toyo Tires Facebook page features videos of UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis, UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz and others telling what drives them in and out of the Octagon. Fans are encouraged to share their own drive within while entering for a chance to win the exclusive UFC 167 Experience from Toyo Tires. This grand prize package includes: roundtrip airfare for two to Las Vegas and a three-night stay in a deluxe hotel suite; tickets to UFC 167: St-Pierre vs. Hendricks, November 16; dinner with UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis; tickets to the UFC 167 After Party; behind-the-scenes access to the UFC 167 weigh-ins; photos in the UFC Octagon; and $1,000 spending cash.
 Royal Purple selected Mark Field’s ’69 Chevy Camaro as a winner of its 2013 Show It Off at SEMA contest. Photo Credit: Mark Field |
Royal Purple Announces 2013 SEMA Show Contest Winners
Royal Purple has announced the winners of its third-annual Show It Off at SEMA contest and first-ever Royal Purple Ladies Feature Vehicle contest. Mark Field’s customized ’69 Chevy Camaro, Steven Bloom’s ’55 Ford-F100 and Carrie Strange's ’64 Chevy Corvair have been selected to be on display as feature vehicles sponsored by Royal Purple at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 5–8. The Royal Purple Show It Off at SEMA contest was hosted online during the month of August. Over the course of two separate seven-day periods, via Facebook, car and truck owners had the opportunity to submit a photo for the opportunity to display as a Feature Vehicle at the SEMA Show. The top-five finalists from the car and truck classes were chosen by Royal Purple, with the two winners selected by two separate expert panels of judges. The winners of the Show It Off at SEMA contest and Royal Purple Ladies vehicle search will have all SEMA feature vehicle fees and registration taken care of by Royal Purple. Each winner will also receive a number of Royal Purple wearables as well as a seat at Royal Purple’s VIP dinner in Las Vegas.