By SEMA Editors
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. announced the winners of the Toyo Tires SEMA Top Build Awards at the 2018 SEMA Show. Two prizes were awarded: a Best Toyo Tires SEMA Car Build and a Best Toyo Tires SEMA Truck/SUV Build. Each winner received a check for $5,000 and a Toyo Tires trophy.
Tony Arme from American Legends in Phoenix, Arizona, walked away with the award for the Best Toyo Tires SEMA Car Build. His ’68 Ford Mustang has extensive modifications, including a Ferrari 430 engine with a Ferrari California intake. The paint finish is a specially mixed BASF Magnetic Metallic color. Arme did extensive work on the interior with a custom-formed dash, along with 3-D-printed components and carbon-fiber work. Wilwood six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers clamp 14-in. rotors. The 18-in. front and 20-in. rear wheels are wrapped with Toyo Proxes R888R DOT competition tires.
Tony Arme’s ’68 Ford Mustang. | Chris Church’s ’40 Ford pickup. |
Chris Church of Church Built Customs in Portland, Oregon, won the Best Toyo Tires SEMA Truck/SUV Build award. His heavily modified ’40 Ford pickup sits atop a full custom Schroeder Speed chassis, while there is extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum throughout the build. Power is supplied by a Wegner Motorsports Chevrolet LS3 engine topped by a Whipple supercharger to make more than 900 hp. To harness that power, a QA1 carbon-fiber driveline forms the link to the rear axle. The truck rides on custom-built wheels from American Racing with 19-in. front and 20-in. rear Toyo Proxes R888R tires.
Judging took place on-site at the SEMA Show for vehicles displayed throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center. Entries were judged on several factors, including modifications, overall execution and embodiment of the Toyo Tires brand and lifestyle image. The awards announcements were made in the Toyo Tires Treadpass exhibit.