SEMA News—October 2012

SBN Mustang Gets Custom Paint Job and More

For those of you just tuning in to this historical project, Ford Motor Co. donated a ’13 Mustang GT to SEMA and the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN), and the vehicle is being modified entirely by SBN members. The project is designed to shine the light on women working in the automotive aftermarket and to encourage more women to pursue careers in the industry.

The vehicle will be auctioned on eBay, with proceeds benefitting the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, thereby helping to foster the industry’s next generation of leaders. During weeks one and two, the Mustang started out at L&G Enterprises in San Dimas, California, where the entire underhood area was transformed from its factory white to a sleek all-black finish. Of course, every component hindering the perfect paint job had to be meticulously removed, labeled or taped up, then reinstalled or uncovered. The Mustang was then moved to Source Interlink Media headquarters in El Segundo, California, to the Hot Rod garage where the powertrain team went to work installing the Edelbrock E-Force supercharger and other engine improvements. A chassis dynamometer test, courtesy of the folks at Edelbrock, revealed that the power to the wheels was now 489 hp and 424 lb.-ft. of torque.

Week three was reserved for the interior team, which consisted of Team Leader Kristin Cline of Cie Studios, Rachel DeBarros of Purple Star Media, Liza Sheen of Kizuna Kustoms, SBN Chairman Marla Moore of Hypertech, Crew Chief Kellie Colf of Colf Creative Resources, Jessi Combs of Precious Metals, JoAnn Bortles of Crazy Horse Custom Paint, Michelle Perez and Genevieve Saxton, both auto tech students at Skyline College and Heart Wrenchers Car Club members. Their first step was to pull out all the seats and carpet in order to install the DEI sound-deadening material in preparation for the Kicker stereo installation, then on to the Wilwood brake installation.

“I was especially impressed with Missy Perez and Genevieve Saxton, the two students from Skyline College and the Heart Wrenchers Club,” stated Marla Moore, SBN chair. “Not only was their enthusiasm infectious, but seeing these young college women’s passion helps all of us see that tomorrow’s industry leadership is alive and well.”

To learn more about the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women, visit here, or contact Bryan Harrison, SEMA’s senior manager of councils and the build’s project manager. Follow the build progress at www.youtube.com/MotorTrend and www.hotrod.com.