SEMA News - August 2010

Adding to the Receipt by Featuring the Latest in Vintage Products

The Restoration Marketplace section of the SEMA Show floor is dedicated to the new and original replacement parts that retailers need to satisfy their customer’s cravings. It’s home to the products and services that help cherry-out four-wheeled, family heirlooms and upgrade vintage tin to 21st century technology.

The following is a list of the 100 retailers whose commitment to the SEMA Show was second-only to their passion for providing customers with the restoration market’s hottest products. These retailers are considered the Top 100 because they scanned more products in the showcase, visited with more exhibitors and attended more seminars in one week than their competition will in a year.

 

 

Whitney Automotive Group 111 E. Wacker Dr., Ste. 3000 Chicago, IL 60601 312/431-6000 www.jcwhitney.com Eckler Industries Inc. 5200 S. Washington Ave. Titusville, FL 32780-7316 321/269-9680 www.ecklers.com Summit Racing Equipment P.O. Box 909 Akron, OH 44309-0909 330/630-0270 www.summitracing.com Auto Anything 9210 Sky Park Ct. San Diego, CA 92123 858/569-8111 www.autoanything.com Ron Mangus Hot Rod Interiors 247 S. Olive Ave. Rialto, CA 92376 909/877-9342 www.ronmangus.com Hillbank Motor Corp. 6 Autry Irvine, CA 92618 949/900-1960 www.hillbankusa.com Morris 4x4 Center 1020 S.W. 10th Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33069 954/941-7807 www.jeep4x4center.com National Parts Depot 900 S.W. 38th Ave. Ocala, FL 34474 352/861-8701 www.nationalpartsdepot.com The Eastwood Co. 263 Shoemaker Rd. Pottstown, PA 19464-6433 610/705-5412 www.eastwood.com Corvette Central 13550 Three Oaks Rd. Sawyer, MI 49125 269/426-3342 www.corvettecentral.com Just Suspension 4723 Mountain Creek Ave. Denver, NC 28037 704/809-1269 www.justsuspension.com Speed and Truck World 1060 W. Sunrise Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 954/760-9922 www.speedandtruckworld.com Dearborn Classics P.O. Box 7649 Bend, OR 97708 541/318-7471 www.dearbornclassics.com Wolfsburg West 2850 Palisades Dr. Corona, CA 92880 888/965-3937 www.wolfsburgwest.com Mustangs Plus Inc. 2353 N. Wilson Way Stockton, CA 95205 800/999-4289 www.mustangsplus.com The Parts Place 217 Paul St. Elburn, IL 60119-9055 630/365-1800 www.thepartsplaceinc.com TAPS Truck Accessories 1207 13th St. Paso Robles, CA 93446 805/226-8277 www.tapstruck.com State of Nine Ltd. 1 Chestnut St., Ste. 222 Nashua, NH 03060 302/351-6222 www.stateofnine.com Vettehead Products 876 Tower Rd. Mundelein, IL 60060 847/388-3950 www.hubcapsplus.com Performance Autosport 2179 Tomlynn St. Richmond, VA 23230 804/784-8851 www.performanceautosport.com Motorsport Industries 1139 W. Collins Ave. Orange, CA 92867 714/639-2620 www.zcarparts.com The Filling Station 990 S. Second St. Lebanon, OR 97355-3227 541/258-2114 www.fillingstation.com Auto Accessories Garage 7450 Duvan Dr. Tinley Park, IL 60477 708/444-2580, ext. 221 www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com USA Parts Supply 261 Industrial Blvd. Kearneysville, WV 25430-2775 703/335-1935 www.usapartssupply.com All American Classics Inc. 15209 N.E. Fourth Plain Rd. Vancouver, WA 98682-5143 360/254-8850 www.allamericanclassics.com Early Ford V-8 Sales Inc. Bldg. 37, Curtis Industrial Park Ballston Spa, NY 12020 518/884-2825 www.earlyford.com Grants Auto Trim Inc. 1600 Broad St. Chattanooga, TN 37408-1199 423/266-3772 www.grantsautotrim.com Modern Driveline 25308 Arroyo Ct. Caldwell, ID 83607 208/453-9800 www.moderndriveline.com Quantum Performance Ltd. 13700 Diplomat Dr. Farmers Branch, TX 75234 972/629-4440 www.quantum-perf.com Performance Truck & SUV 1053 W. Innovation Dr. Kearney, MO 64060 816/906-8785 www.performancetruckllc.com Trent’s Trick Upholstery 6886 Thoreau Ln. Baltimore, OH 43105-9732 740/468-2727 www.trentstrickupholstery.com Fuel Injection Specialties 11051 Wye St. San Antonio, TX 78217-2615 210/654-0774 www.fuelinjection.com No Joke Upholstery 106 W. Madison St. New Carlisle, OH 45344 937/845-3177 www.nojokeupholstery.com Weimanns Interiors LLC 2515 Rte. 66 Delmont, PA 15626 724/468-5887 www.weimanns.com Adaptive Performance 16965 W. Central St. Surprise, AZ 85388-1515 623/214-4995 www.adaptiveperformance.com Blue Collar Performance LLC 8310 Campbell Taylor, MI 48180 313/801-0391 www.bluecollarperformance.com Undercover Innovations 3624 Buck Owens Blvd. #12 Bakersfield, CA 93308 661/325-4506 www.undercoverinnovations.com Gearheads Garage 681 S. Tustin St., Ste. 302 Orange, CA 92866 714/225-3997 www.gearheadsgarage.com R & L Upholstery Works 94-1025 Molale St. Waipahu, HI 96797 808/677-2181 Truck Stuff and More 224 N. Water St. Bellefonte, PA 16823 814/357-8142 www.truckstuffandmore.com Shiftworks 320 North Washington St. Rochester, NY 14625 585/383-0574 www.shiftworks.com Unkl Al’s Custom Emporium P.O. Box 21595 Bullhead City, AZ 86439 928/704-8655 www.unklals.com K.M.P. Accessories 10900 Shaker Point Way #10 Harrison, OH 45030 813/417-6967 www.kmpaccessories.com The Street Rod Store 154 Cooper Rd., Ste. 1602 West Berlin, NJ 08091 856/719-8030 www.thestreetrodstore.com Gary Pilo Chevy Parts 104 Seneca Ave. Rochester, NY 14621 716/739-9777 J & M Enterprises Group Inc. P.O. Box 903 Corona, CA 92878 951/549-1441 www.jamcosuspension.com Traffic Jams Complete Car Center 7241 Olive Blvd. Saint Louis, MO 63130-2321 314/484-4573 www.trafficjams.com Transformers Custom Auto Specialists 8075 W. 20th Ave. Hialeah, FL 33014 786/219-1700 www.transformersauto.com Jon’s Autobody 311 Makia Pl. Makawao, HI 96768-8051 808/357-5715

Auto Accents 540 E. Cross Ave. Tulare, CA 93274-4009 559/688-8733 Elite Auto Sport 1387 Pacific Dr. Burlington, WA 98233 360/391-7458 www.eliteautosport.net Fairystone Import Parts & Paint 9230 Fairystone Park Hwy. Bassett, VA 24055-3056 276/629-5474 Duetto Motors LLC 20929 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 47-124 Woodland Hills, CA 91364 818/887-1474 www.duettomotors.com Pro Design Hot Rods 2020 S. Susan St., Ste. B Santa Ana, CA 92704-4436 714/436-1158 www.prodesignhotrods.com Industrial Finishes & Systems 3455 W. 1st Ave. Eugene, OR 97402-5449 541/284-2208 www.industrialfinishes.com Bobbys Upholstery 1467 N. 3700 W. Cedar City, UT 84720-8367 435/586-3251 Butch’s Hotrod Shop P.O. Box 2196 Ewa Beach, HI 96706-2915 808/689-3380 Sunstate Mustang Supply 14200 60th St. N Clearwater, FL 33760-2705 727/535-9158 Custom Image Auto Body & Accessories P.O. Box Afton, WY 83110 307/885-7289 New Old Stock Motorsports 3849 E. Oasis Cir. Mesa, AZ 85215-9796 602/454-0786 www.nosms.com Huntsman’s Body Repair 4065 Clearview Loop South Security, CO 80911 719/392-9610 Faro 11729 Autumn Ridge Cove Sandy, UT 84092 949/275-2295 www.faro.com Hot Rod Heaven Inc 22542 Bear Creek Dr. S Murrieta, CA 92562-3013 951/677-8339 Strategy Plus/Rescue Rods 2175 Ocean Dr. Oxnard, CA 93035-4436 805/310-2618 www.rescuemissionfoundation.org Sittin Sic Performance LLC 2544 Bay Shore Dr. Sister Bay, WI 54234 262/227-5678 www.sittinsic.com dds Discount 1372 Broadway New York, NY 10018-6107 212/819-3771 www.rossstores.com KOI Auto Parts 2500 Spring Grove Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45225 513/287-7500 www.koiautoparts.com Blue Package Delivery 1636 Gervais Ave., Ste. 3 Saint Paul, MN 55109-2136 651/773-0031 www.bluepackage.com Colours Inc. 50 Dana St. Wilkes Barre, PA 18702-4302 570/208-5655 www.gocolours.com Wesco Group P.O. Box 5003 Lynnwood, WA 98046-5003 425/771-0926 www.wescopbe.com The Dent Zone Companies Inc. 5100 N. O’Connor Blvd., Ste. 100 Irving, TX 75039 214/393-2148 www.dentzone.com Dynamic Auto Images 1407 N. Batavia, Ste. 102 & 202 Orange, CA 92867 714/771-3400 www.dynamicautoimages.com Automtive Paint Specialties 1707 N.E. Hwy. 20 Bend, OR 97708 541/389-8467 www.apspaint.com Hutchbsr 4030 Concord Parkway S. Concord, NC 28027 704/788-7004 http://hutchbsr.com Automotive Paint Specialties 33485 Hwy. 99 E Tangent, OR 97389 541/917-7496 Automotive Color & Supply Corp. 1902 S. Calhoun St. Fort Wayne, IN 46802-5260 260/456-1237 Corvettes of Houston 15350 North Fwy. Houston, TX 77090-6002 281/821-1222 www.corvettesofhouston.com Got My PT 36607 Chantecler Rd. Winchester, CA 92596-9021 951/926-5679 Hot Rod Paint & Fab 589 Industrial Blvd. Pueblo West, CO 81007-1552 719/568-1100 National Parts Depot 2435 S. Haggerty Rd. Canton, MI 48188 800/976-1117 www.npdlink.com Stinger Chemical Corp 905 Live Oak St. Houston, TX 77003-3623 713/227-1340 http://stingerchemicals.com Kc Auto Paints 1622 S. 4th Ave. Tucson, AZ 85713-2916 520/440-6885 www.kc auto paints.com GPC/NAPA 1005 2nd St. NW Albuquerque, NM 87102-2215 505/843-6700 Grunion Fabrication 13011 N. Cave Creek Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85022 602/258-0088 www.grunionfabrication.com Competition Speed 33543 Cedar Creek Ln. Lake Elsinore, CA 92532 213/448-5015 www.competition-speed.com Gladwin Paint Co. 2000 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78215 210/223-2695 www.gladwinpaint.com National Parts Depot 1376 Walter St. #1 Ventura, CA 93003 805/654-0468 www.npdlink.com Auto Body Supplies & Paint 1205 Main St., Ste. 3 East Hartford, CT 06108-2281 860/528-9283 www.absap.com Boesch Auto Body Inc. P.O. Box 332 Humphrey, NE 68642-0332 402/923-0770 TCP Global Corp. 6695 Rasha St. San Diego, CA 92121 858/909-2149 www.tcpglobal.com Mill Supply Inc. 19801 Miles Rd. Cleveland, OH 44128-4117 216/518-5072 www.millsupply.com Automotive Concepts 2731 Nevada Ave. N New Hope, MN 55427 763/535-2181 www.ac-mn.com ToolTopia.com 125 Freestate Blvd. Shreveport, LA 71107 318/560-2025 www.tooltopia.com Butchs Hotrod Shop 91-827 Kauwili St. Ewa Beach, HI 96706-2915 808/247-3883 Classic Parts of America 1 Chevy Duty Dr. Riverside, MO 64150-9643 816/741-8029 www.classicparts.com D’Agostino’s Rod Shop 7436 Mark St. Texarkana, AR 71854-8727 870/772-5402 Industrial Finishes & Systems 955 S.E. Wilson Ave. Bend, OR 97702-1792 541/388-7372 www.industrialfinishes.com Plas-Pak Ind. 1 Connecticut Ave. Norwich, CT 06360-1501 412/264-4481 www.plaspakinc.com R & R Products Inc. 3334 E. Milber St. Tucson, AZ 85714-2029 520/889-3593 www.rrproducts.com San Juan Depot 26411 Via Cuervo Mission Viejo, CA 92691-2907 949/855-8449

 

SEMA News - August 2010

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT NEW PRODUCTS

Boosting the Bottom Line With Gear That Gets the Job Done

The SEMA Show is the once-a-year epicenter for automotive accessories. It’s more than 1,500 exhibitors offering their best products and services to more than 100,000 attendees. The must-see attraction for many is the custom, one-of-a kind vehicles on display throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center. For others, however, the real eye candy is getting a look at the tools and equipment that builders are using to create those masterpieces.

In 2009, 23,191 buyers went to Las Vegas specifically interested in tools and equipment. These buyers found 107 exhibitors, registering 32 products in the New Products Showcase and media/buyers scanned those entries 1,395 times. Jason Fennessey from Speedlife Motorsports in Andover, Massachusetts, attended the 2009 SEMA Show for the first time ever, looking for opportunities.

“We specialize in Audi and Volkswagen parts. I’m looking around for tools or anything I haven’t seen before,” said Fennessey. “This is my first time to the SEMA Show, and the New Products Showcase is very cool. I like the way it’s laid out by categories, and I’m amazed at all the things I didn’t know about.”

View a PDF of all the Tools & Equipment new products.

SEMA News - August 2010

By Steve Campbell
Photography Courtesy Local Motors

Local Motors Pairs Limited Production With Unlimited Potential

	With styling cues and an aggressive attitude reminiscent of a P-51 Mustang, the Local Motors Rally Fighter has the muscular image off-road enthusiasts love. That stands to reason, given that so many of them participated in its open design.

The concepts aren’t totally new to the automotive world: Get a group of designers together, brainstorm a vehicle concept, noodle out the financing, then sell every unit the market will bear. All a car company has to do is pick the right designers who develop the right concept that can be produced at the right cost for the right group of consumers. But that’s a whole lot of uncertainty, and the most common result is compromise after compromise, resulting in a bland vehicle for the masses.  John B. Rogers Jr. had a different idea. He decided that customers should design and develop the cars his company would help create. He also figured that there was no reason to start from scratch on every component part. Great engines, suspension systems, body pieces and interior components already existed throughout both the traditional tier-supplier network as well as in the specialty-equipment aftermarket. If his community of designer/builders tracked down the best of what was already on the shelves and used just-in-time delivery, he reasoned that they could avoid a whole slew of inventory and manufacturing headaches.

Rogers established his unique car company under the banner of Local Motors in 2007, based on the concept of open sourcing and open design. He developed a website where he held a series of contests to solicit vehicle concepts from a quickly burgeoning community of artists, car enthusiasts and designers. Then he allowed that same community—augmented by more and more users as the site and the intended project became more well-known—to vote on which designs should be pursued.

	Local Motors founder John B. Rogers Jr. holds an undergraduate degree from Princeton, an MBA from Harvard and an honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps, where his duty stations included a tour as an infantry company commander in Iraq.

“Local Motors routinely shares the development of car designs chosen by the community,” Rogers said. “We share this open development so that our community can co-create the cars with us. We also share the production data—chassis, body, build sequences—so that our customers and community can design and build aftermarket components that actually fit the vehicle. We choose to work with top-caliber parts manufacturers and, for the sake of our community, we tend to work with those manufacturers who are also willing to share their data.”

The commercial and intellectual properties of Local Motors products and those of its suppliers are fully protected, Rogers noted. Local Motors promotes Creative Commons licensing  to protect its community of contributors while encouraging collaboration.

“We utilize a license called ‘Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share Alike,’” Rogers said. “Our community is highly visual, and this license allows them to download a car design by a peer, sketch over it to express suggested changes and then share it with the community. But everyone must include the original designer’s name on the sketch-over, and they know that they cannot try to sell work that belongs to someone else. In effect, this has created the first real protection for intellectual property in transportation design and those wishing to engage in an open sharing of ideas.”

		For more information on Local Motors, visit booth #24501 in the Racing & Performance section at the 2010 SEMA Show or contact Sarah Stokes, CSO at sstokes@local-motors.com or 480/371-6797.

Rogers is as well-versed in the concepts of intellectual property and patents as he is attuned to car design. He holds an undergraduate degree from Princeton University and an MBA from Harvard. Lest you think he’s strictly a bookworm, however, be advised that he also spent six years in the Marine Corps between obtaining his undergraduate and graduate degrees, and part of that service was as an infantry company commander in Iraq. He also augmented his education through personal investigation within the automotive world. Given his vision for a small company, he pursued targeted guidance as well as real-world assistance from one of the leaders in the specialty-vehicle field: Factory Five Racing. Founded by brothers Mark and Dave Smith, Factory Five has been manufacturing component car kits since its inception in 1985.

“We get contacted all the time by guys who want to start car companies,” said Mark Smith. “When Rogers first called, he was kind of lost in the mix. We never got back to him because he was just another guy who wanted to start a car company. But a relative knew about him and told me that I should see what he had to say because he was a great guy. I did, and we eventually let him set up in a small building that we owned. Two of our engineers, Dave Riha and Mike Pisani, also went to work for Local Motors. With that building, two engineers and his idea, he was off and running.”

Smith said that the true strength of the Local Motors business model is that it uses “wild concepts from guys who are artists rather than car guys.” The Rally Fighter is a perfect example, he said. It’s definitely not for everyone, but for enthusiasts who want a unique type of vehicle, it’s fabulous.

	The Rally Fighter is designed to fit the BMW M57, GM LS3 and Mercedes BluTech, and the suspension includes a Fox Racing Shox package that is typical of the care with which components are selected for Local Motors vehicles.

The Rally Fighter was originally designed by Local Motors community member Sangho Kim of Pasadena, California, but more than 150 people contributed to its development and design. Some simply voted yes or no when an idea was proposed, Rogers said, and some did sketches to suggest new profile details or fender treatments. Others went as far as designing the entire interior or side vents or light bars.

“We had competition challenges to design unique parts of the Rally Fighter,” he said. The competitions were incentivized with cash prizes that ranged from $1,500–$20,000. The community also took part in sourcing components, and even when the company developed the primary selection list, the community chose which parts were actually fitted to the vehicle. The tooling used includes some high-tech appliances such as 3-D printers and scanners, but most of the equipment is standard fare. “We push very hard in our development process to reduce the use of complex machinery and the number of steps,” Rogers said. “For example, only two parts of the Rally Fighter require machine work. All of the other parts are off the shelf.”

In final trim, the Rally Fighter features a welded steel tubular space frame with lightweight thermoplastic and carbon-fiber body panels, and the suspension delivers 20 in. of travel. The beta car is fitted with a BMW M57 clean diesel engine that delivers 265 hp and, more importantly for off-road use, 425 lb.-ft. of torque. Rogers said that other Local Motors vehicles may be set up with Mercedes BlueTEC diesel or GM LS3 engines. The Fox Racing Shox shock absorber package on the Rally Fighter is typical of the care with which components are selected for Local Motors vehicles.

	The total build run for the Rally Fighter is slated for only 2,000 units. That exclusivity—and the fact that the buyer actually takes part in the vehicle’s assembly—is part of the Local Motors mystique.

“We’re a vehicle dynamics and suspension solutions company,” said Ross McNab, senior project engineer at Fox. “We work with different customers to try to find solutions to their problems, and we specifically selected the four shock absorbers for the Rally Fighter. They use a patented internal-bypass system that gives position-sensitive damping in a single coil-over shock and provides damping as a function of both velocity and position. For small-amplitude inputs, there is less damping; on larger inputs, the shocks deliver a lot more damping to help prevent bottoming out.”

Local Motors doesn’t make many of its own components, preferring to use high-quality, vetted, federally compliant components from companies such as Hella, Ri-Tar Enterprises, Uni-grip, StanPro, 3M and others. Rogers said that more than 100 companies supplied hardware for the Rally Fighter.

Another unique aspect of the Local Motors business model is their assembly facilities and personnel. The just-in-time component deliveries eliminate most waste, and each customer actually participates in the building of his or her vehicle.

“We’re also going to create a marketplace on our website for component manufacturers who want to sell items they design specifically for the Rally Fighter,” Rogers said. “It will look much like an applications store for the iPhone, but it will feature the Rally Fighter and awesome parts instead of apps.”

The estimated price for a Rally Fighter is $50,000.

While Rogers’ open sourcing business model is an important feature to industry insiders, it’s not the most crucial aspect for those potential buyers, according to Factory Five’s Smith.

“Nobody cares whether Microsoft Windows came from a thousand people or from one guy,” he said. “People want great cars and a great experience. What’s going to drive the value proposition is actually delivering on the crowd-source concept. I believe Local Motors is doing that.”

 

SEMA News - August 2010

By Steve Campbell

Heavy on the Research; Must Reading for Industry Pros

	The Business of Speed: The Hot Rod Industry in America, 1915–1990 is a remarkable record of the birth, growth and maturation of the automotive high-performance industry.

If you scan no farther than these next words, know this: You should read The Business of Speed: The Hot Rod Industry in America, 1915–1990 by David Lucsko. Since you’re browsing through SEMA News, you must be favored with some interest in the automotive specialty-equipment industry, and Lucsko’s book offers a primer about where it began, how it evolved and, if not precisely where it’s heading, at least an optimistic appraisal of why it will live on. Lucsko admits early in the preface to The Business of Speed that he is not a hot rodder, but he should have added that he is one prodigious researcher. Just the endnotes to this history of the American automotive high-performance aftermarket encompass 79 of the book’s 343 pages and are worth consideration on their own merits. Lucsko says in an “Essay on Sources” that his eventual study of the material—which evolved from an earlier graduate dissertation—lasted nine years as he combed through decades-old copies of magazines, such as Hot Rod and Popular Hot Rodding, along with how-to manuals, a range of private papers, seminal reference works that were penned by automotive journalism’s most venerated scribes, and a wealth of personal interviews with industry insiders. But this is far from merely one desiccated fact piled on the next. Lucsko is a formidable organizer and a talented story teller.

He begins his chronicle with the Model T Ford—the “universal car”—and early speed-equipment innovators, such as Joe Jaegersberger, Robert Roof and the Chevrolet brothers, whose initial efforts were centered on overhead-valve improvements to the earliest four-cylinder Flathead engines. He then follows the performance train to the beginnings of competition-bred improvements on the dry lakes of California and Ed Winfield’s carburetor, head and camshaft advancements at early Indianapolis 500 races. He differentiates between high-performance specialty equipment and replacement parts, discussing not only the types of products that developed but also the impetus for their creation, whether on a track, a lake bed or the street.

Lucsko provides a backdrop for the creation of various racing and hobby organizations, including the Southern California Timing Association, the National Hot Rod Association, the National Street Rod Association and the origins of SEMA as the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association. Along the way, he explains how the people involved with these organizations identified strongly with their mechanical passions. “A bona fide hot rodder was a mechanically inclined young man who built, drove, and raced a ‘hot roadster,’” Lucsko writes. “He sourced his parts from wrecking yards, speed shops, and, increasingly, from some of the handful of his acquaintances who manufactured high-performance equipment of their own design. He gathered with his friends at clubhouses, speed shops, automotive repair shops, and local diners to share ideas, to plan events, and to bench race.”

	Author David N. Lucsko spent nine years in concentrated research for his history of the automotive performance aftermarket, including hundreds of hours exploring the pages of vintage periodicals, such as Hot Rod and Popular Hot Rodding.

As he traces the industry’s path through the post-World War II years, Lucsko also examines the origins of hot rodding’s poor reputation among the general populous, which stemmed from street racing, parts thieves and illegally registered cars. The rise of the enthusiast press in the late ’40s and early ’50s—most notably Robert E. Petersen’s Hot Rod and the devotion of editor and NHRA founder Wally Parks—helped the racing community move from the streets to airstrips and, eventually, to purpose-built dragstrips. The magazines, Lucsko points out, gave rodders a sense of community in addition to helping manufacturers sell parts and providing an information conduit for performance enthusiasts through technical and how-to stories.

The Business of Speed is also sprinkled with fascinating biographical information about industry legends, such as Phil Weiand, Vic Edelbrock Sr., Fred Offenhauser and Ed Iskenderian. Lucsko pays homage to the technical prowess of these pioneers while praising them as well for their selfless transfer of knowledge to the succeeding generations of entrepreneurs who worked for them.

Throughout his book, Lucsko details the intricate symbiosis between the auto manufacturers and the entrepreneurs who considered factory stock cars and trucks to be only a starting point. He devotes a fair amount of space to the advent of musclecars and the development by the original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of their own proprietary performance parts, tracing the evolution of factory engines from that first Ford Flathead in the early 1900s to the wildly popular Chevrolet small-block that was introduced in 1955. Yet he always brings the story back to the premise of the book: the business of developing, manufacturing and selling speed parts.

By the seventh chapter, Lucsko is delving deeply into the roots and reasons for the advent of SEMA, which was developed by a handful of speed-parts manufacturers as an attempt first to manage credit problems within the industry and then to influence emissions and safety legislation that began to affect automotive enterprises—both OEM and aftermarket—in the early ’60s. The Business of Speed describes the growth of the industry and the evolution of the association as it morphed from the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association to the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association. Perhaps because the focus of the book is the performance end of the industry, Lucsko doesn’t mark the final name change—to the Specialty Equipment Market Association—which now reflects the wider umbrella covering not only manufacturers but also retailers, warehouse distributors and automotive accessory businesses of all types.

		The Business of Speed: The Hot Rod Industry in America, 1915–1990, By David N. Lucsko
		343 pages. $50 list,; $33.75 Barnes & Noble; $40.46 Amazon.com (all hardcover) The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008, www.press.jhu.edu

The book continually examines the relationships between the government, high-performance businesses and the OEMs, including the establishment of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board. It tracks the evolution of emissions controls, the demise of leaded fuels and SEMA’s role in the development of Executive Orders as the industry learned to “incorporate the requirements of regulatory agencies into its overall approach to the design and manufacture of high-performance parts.” Lucsko contrasts SEMA’s willingness to work within the system and develop compromises in the ’70s to the confrontational style adopted by the OEMs during that same period—and concludes that subtle negotiation was the more effective tactic.

The book is replete with arresting parallels between what occurred years and even decades ago with the forces still at work within the industry today. The Business of Speed is a remarkable record of the birth, growth and maturation of the automotive high-performance industry, carrying with it an enlightening subplot of a changing country and the shifting political winds that helped shape our current state of affairs.

Lucsko misses the mark with his prediction that the sport-compact market would continue to thrive—it was a hotbed as he was conducting his research—but while the bloom may be off that rose, at least for the time being, he nails the overarching passion that has always driven and will continue to drive the industry: “[T]he business of speed equipment manufacturing has never been about a certain brand of car, a certain type of engine, or a certain class of enthusiasts,” he writes. “Instead, it has always been about the ability to adapt.”

SEMA News - August 2010

BEST PRACTICES

By Steve Cambell

Finding, Evaluating and Using Field Representatives

	In a marketplace crowded with competitors, expert experience can make a difference. Manufacturers’ reps pride themselves on selling for multiple companies across multiple product lines in large geographic areas.

Unlike other types of salespeople, manufacturers’ representatives work for multiple companies across multiple product lines in a large geographic area, either as individuals or as part of an agency. 

A rep is an independent businessperson, an extension of the manufacturers’ sales force, and he or she can also be a highly valuable jack of all trades who not only closes deals but also teaches in-house manufacturer, warehouse distributor or retailer/jobber salespeople how to best present the manufacturer’s marketing plan to create sales.

A recently completed DVD produced by SEMA’s Manufacturers’ Rep Council (MRC), titled “Understanding the Sales Rep,” points out that companies of all sizes and across all manufacturing genres have used rep firms for years to market and sell their products. The video points out that manufacturers’ reps (also called field reps) tend to be more effective and cost-efficient. Because they are paid on commission, their cost of sales is directly related to their sales success.

“With an independent rep, a company saves money by not having to pay for health insurance, a car, office or travel expenses, retirement or taxes,” said Chris Perry, president of Bill Perry and Associates. “And we provide additional services, such as reviewing customer inventory, updating pricing, revising part numbers and training the customers’ salespeople.”

The benefits of using a manufacturer’s rep, either in conjunction with other salespeople or as a stand-alone sales force, are directly attributable to their experience, contacts and the fact that they are independent contractors. An established rep firm is made up of highly experienced professionals who have developed relationships with distributors and retailers through years of personal contact.

“A manufacturer’s rep is accepted into the existing accounts that he or she calls on,” said Nathan Kunzman of Michael Kunzman and Associates. “The rep has long-standing relationships with his warehouse or retail customers, and those relationships are very important. The ultimate goal should be to increase distribution of the product.”

Reps are knowledgeable about the markets that make up their areas of expertise as well as the product lines they already represent, and their experience allows them to not only sell but to advise their manufacturing clients about the validity of new products.

“Reps provide their clients with a high degree of honesty, integrity and ethics,” said Perry. “They can help review and analyze a customer’s inventories, make sure defects and stock adjustments are correctly handled and help resolve warranty issues. They can act as the manufacturer’s eyes and ears, communicating problems or issues to the manufacturer and providing information on competitive lines in the marketplace. A rep should be open about conflicts with other lines they represent, but manufacturers must also understand that overlaps can occur as lines grow and be open to discussions to resolve these types of issues. Professional independent reps will always feed back information to their manufacturers.”

		Reps are knowledgeable about the markets that make up their areas of expertise as well as the product lines they already represent, and their experience allows them to not only sell but to advise their manufacturing clients about the validity of new products.

In order for the rep to perform effectively and efficiently, the manufacturer must provide all required materials, guidance, leadership and education at no cost, just as it would provide them to internal sales people, said Irv Cohen, managing partner of S&S Sales & Marketing. That includes literature, samples and the opportunity to follow up on all leads generated through magazines, the Internet or other channels.

“Manufacturers’ reps are happy to work with the manufacturers’ inside sales force, so long as they are set up as a team rather than adversaries,” he said. “Most reps don’t sit in an office all day, so a rep on the road may not be able to answer a call immediately, even with a cell phone. If there is an inside sales rep who is assigned to customer service for the same account as a manufacturer’s rep, for example, the inside person might be able to handle that kind of emergency situation.”

As with any business relationship, mutual respect is the key to mutual success. Reps expect manufacturers to value their time, said Perry, providing adequate notice of sales training and in-field sales work and an advance look at all marketing materials, special promotions and telemarketing efforts within their geographic territory. Reps also expect complete reporting of all customer purchases and timely compensation for services rendered.

The industry-standard starting point for rep services is 5% of the rep’s sales on established accounts, but that can vary according to the product line and the work involved in servicing the account. A pioneer line—one that will take extra effort to land because the line isn’t established, has no built-in business, is new to the market or comes from a manufacturer that is new to an established market—will probably call for a 10% commission, Cohen said. And there are other services that his or her agency will soon begin charging extra for.

	SEMA members may obtain copies of the Manufacturers’ Rep Council DVD entitled “Understanding the Sales Rep” by contacting Staci Bostock, SEMA council relations manager, via e-mail at stacib@sema.org or by telephone at 909/978-6693.

“There are many, many trade shows and events that need to be covered, and our expenses are out of hand,” he said. “If we work a trade show without the manufacturer’s presence or we need to provide additional people to handle a booth, we’re going to have to charge a fee.” Likewise, Perry said, the rep should not be expected to bear the cost of sales meetings that are not held in conjunction with trade shows or other industry events that the rep might be expected to attend or are outside of the rep’s normal territory.

Logical factors should be considered when a manufacturer begins to consider using the services of a rep agency. Does it have one or more agents who service the locations that the manufacturer is interested in targeting? How many agents are in the group, and what is the background of the individual or individuals who will be assigned to the manufacturer’s account? Does the agency’s existing portfolio of clients include any competing lines? Does it include any complementary lines that distribution or retail customers might carry in tandem?

Just as with any new hire, the manufacturer should spend some time checking the background and references of the agency and its employees before entering into a contract for services. Reputable agencies will happily furnish a list of current clients, and the manufacturer may wish to contact other agencies in a different geographic area, since most rep firms are aware of each other and can provide feedback based on their own expertise.

Once a manufacturer has signed with an agency, the proof is in the pudding. Sales are the number-one criteria.

“A rep should be able to open new accounts, increase sales within the territory and avoid complaints,” said Cohen. “But it’s all based on the bottom line. If you started with $100 worth of sales in a territory and it grows to $10,000, is that good, bad or indifferent? The way a rep shines is in what he or she actually does.”

However, even though production is the best evidence of value, the unexpected should also be factored into the equation. The recent recession provides a stark example.

“The rep’s service should also be evaluated by his hard work,” said Kunzman. “Sometimes it takes years for a product to sell, and there are many factors that go into its success. Often it takes repetition and continued follow-up on the rep’s part. The rep should communicate with the manufacturer, letting the client know about their efforts. The manufacturer will see the type of commitment a rep has.”

The SEMA MRC webpage and the SEMA Membership Directory offer listings of manufacturers’ rep agencies, and the Performance Warehouse Association also offers a rep section on its website. Neither organization will recommend an individual agency, but their listings include a wide range of established firms.  

SEMA News - August 2010

How ProPledge Works for 3dCarbon 

SEMA News recently had the chance to catch up with well-respected manufacturer and ProPledge participant 3dCarbon. We spoke with the company’s vice president of sales and marketing, Ernie Bunnell, to learn a little more about its products and about how 3dCarbon is utilizing ProPledge’s benefits to differentiate itself from its competition. 

SEMA News: How has the ProPledge warranty assurance program benefited 3dCarbon?

Ernie Bunnell: Dealers and consumers want to know that the products they’re purchasing are backed by quality and service. ProPledge increases awareness of product quality and service.

SN: What primary benefit does ProPledge offer your segment of the industry?

EB: ProPledge raises the bar, creating a benchmark for all manufacturers to meet and increasing the confidence to the restyler/installer networks. It reinforces that there is a standard of excellence being backed by ProPledge.

SN: Are there any suggestions or ideas that you would like to offer about the current ProPledge program elements?

EB: Additional marketing support for ProPledge members that are directed to domestic car dealers and international
distributors.

SN: How long has 3dCarbon been in business?

EB: 3dCarbon started in July of 2004. Our very first product was the Boy Racer Mustang kit for the ’05–’09 Mustang.

		For more information and a detailed analysis of what ProPledge is and its benefits to most SEMA-member companies, visit the ProPledge website at www.propledge.com or call 818/248-4449.

SN: Could you cite some of the key trends 3dCarbon has helped to develop over the past six years?

EB: Our Boy Racer kit has been a huge success for us. It is a wide-body look for the ’05–’09 Mustang and the ’10–’11 model. We also have developed a wide range of small accessories, such as hood scoops and other items that are easily installed to create a uniquely different look from other vehicles and kits on the road today. 

SN: Where will future 3dCarbon growth and development be coming come from?

EB: Our growth will come from designing and manufacturing aerodynamic styling kits and accessories for a wide variety of vehicles, such as sport compacts, midsize vehicles and SUVs. The utilization of computer-aided design (CAD) and rapid prototyping will aid us in cost savings for development.

SN: What are the biggest challenges 3dCarbon sees in the future?

EB: Being able to design and create products as quickly as the opportunities arise and keeping development costs in line
with revenues.

SN: What are some of the most significant success stories within 3dCarbon’s business model?

EB: We have developed a unique process for designing and manufacturing very high-quality parts that are easy to install and easy to paint. The products we manufacture are regarded as the highest quality in the aftermarket.

SN: What do you do in your off time in the midst of what seems to be a pretty busy work schedule?

EB: I enjoy golfing, road biking and traveling with my family. I also have a ’69 Camaro Z28 that I am also wrenching on when time allows, even though I fully restored it years ago.

SN: What kind of vehicle are you driving currently?

EB: I drive a Lincoln MKX. It has our 3dCarbon body kit, and the size of the vehicle is perfect for me—not too big but still plenty of room. 

	The 2010 PAACE Automechanika Mexico grew 140% in comparison with 2009, which shows the growth and recovery of the global automotive aftermarket.

The 12th edition of PAACE Automechanika Mexico—Mexico and Central America’s international trade show for the automotive aftermarket—returned to the Centro Banamex in Mexico City, July 14–16, 2010, with the largest event in its history. Six hundred fifty exhibitors from 19 countries around the world exhibited their latest products and services in 9,456 net sq. m. of exhibition space.

The size of the 2010 event grew 140% in comparison with 2009, signaling the growth and recovery in the global automotive aftermarket and confirming the opportunities in Mexico’s important and significant share of the market. Mexican companies accounted for more than 40% of the exhibit space on the show floor during the record event.

“The recently concluded PAACE Automechanika was a success with great reviews from both buyers and exhibitors and reflects the opportunities for SEMA members in Mexico,” said Linda Spencer, SEMA director of international relations, who urged companies to consider all opportunities to improve their bottom line through overseas sales.

She noted that SEMA has compiled a list of Mexican buyers of specialty-equipment products. For a copy, SEMA members can contact Casey Kooiman at caseyk@sema.org.

In addition to the record presentation of exhibitors from Mexico and around the world, PAACE Automechanika Mexico was successful in restricting access to the show to only the most qualified buyers and attendees in the industry. The event welcomed 12,059 individual qualified buyers and industry press to the 2010 edition. Key aftermarket players attended the three-day trade show from Mexico, Latin America and abroad to find the latest products and services, network with industry colleagues, and learn more about the personalization of vehicles and enhance their business in the PAACE Automechanika Mexico Seminar Program. The program offered a wide range of technical sessions and business seminars to educate both technicians and shop owners on how to improve processes, increase efficiency and continue to develop business.

A new feature of the Seminar Program this year was the participation of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), offering an enhancement to the educational program with three three-hour sessions each show day on auto body repair, electrical troubleshooting and success in the automotive repair business.

Additional show features this year covered everything from feature vehicles and live customization to product innovations and demonstrations. Responding to the needs of attendees, the New Product Showcase featured 30 of the latest products and services launched by exhibiting companies onsite in a special display, demonstrating the innovations in the market. In order to support the growth and interest in the specialty-equipment market, PAACE Automechanika Mexico 2010 featured one of the largest tuning displays in Mexico with more than 98 customized vehicles during the show sponsored by the National Association of Mexican Auto Clubs (ANACM) and Muscle Cars V8 Magazine.

West Coast Customs Mexico also returned this year with their popular presentation of live demonstrations and vehicle customizations, drawing crowds of thousands for their live recording of an episode of the third season of their popular TV show, “Tunéame la Nave.”

PAACE Automechanika Mexico is organized by Messe Frankfurt Inc., in partnership with key industry associations APRA, MEMA and SEMA. The event is also sponsored by ANDELLAC, ARIDRA, ASA, the U.S. Commercial Service and West Coast Customs Mexico, among other groups. Organizers are already working on the next edition of PAACE Automechanika Mexico, July 13–15, 2011.

For more information, visit: www.PAACEAutomechanika.com.

	Car-care products, such as polish, will help to produce that new-car shine.

As the world’s premier automotive specialty-products trade show, the 2010 SEMA Show, to be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from November 2–5, 2010, attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries and also provides a unique opportunity for buyers and exhibitors to connect.

The Show covers the entire realm of the specialty-equipment industry and is comprised of 13 categories: Business Services; Global Tire Expo—Powered by TIA; Hot Rod Alley; Mobile Electronics & Technology; Paint, Body & Equipment; Powersports & Utility Vehicles; Racing & Performance; Restoration Marketplace; Restyling & Car Care Accessories; Tools & Equipment; Trucks, SUVs and Off-Road; Wheels & Accessories; and OEM.

Each will be highlighted separately every week in SEMA eNews. This week’s category is Restyling & Car Care Accessories. So far, 212 restyling and car-care accessories companies—of which, 58 are first-timers—are exhibiting in the North Hall.

In 2009, 25,086 buyers went to Las Vegas specifically to bring the newest restyling and car-care offerings from the Show floor into their own retail shops.

The restyling and car-care accessories market is made up of products used to modify a vehicle’s interior or exterior after it has left the factory, as well as those for cleaning and maintenance. Appearance and accessory products are often a consumer’s first contact with the automotive specialty-equipment industry. The trend to customize one’s vehicle was born out of the desire for consumers to create something unique that fits their personal lifestyle. Restyling products, which include sunroofs, ground effects, grille guards and drop-center bumpers, are functional; however, many consumers purchase them for their aesthetic appeal. Car-care products including vacuums, chemicals and more.

“The SEMA Show is like fashion week for the auto industry, and many of the most fashionable accessories are from the restyling and car-care market,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “Because products in the segment appeal to a wide audience, an increasing number of buyers are expanding into the restyling and car-care market. In fact, nearly 50% of buyers at the 2009 SEMA Show sought products in this market.”

As the largest segment of the industry and the only one to have increased its market share over the years, the restyling and car-care accessories market went from 51.1% market share in 1996 to 57.6% in 2006. Sales of specialty accessories and appearance products were estimated at $21.14 billion at the retail level in 2006.

The Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) is a SEMA council dedicated to addressing the challenges facing the restyling segment of the automotive aftermarket and to developing effective strategies for dealing with industry-specific issues.

In 2009, 25,086 buyers went to Las Vegas specifically to bring the newest restyling and car-care offerings from the Show floor into their own retail shops.

One of the most profound effects of the recession was the decline in U.S. vehicle sales, which plummeted from nearly 17 million in 2006 to about 10.6 million in 2009, according to Ward’s AutoWorld. And while the downturn impacted nearly every aspect of the automotive aftermarket, some of the greatest damage occurred in the restyling category, whose very existence is based on available vehicle inventory. Conversely, the recession and market forces also caused OEMs to change the way they develop and market their products.

Gone are the days when each automaker produced a multitude of variants, each of which was accompanied by seemingly unending options lists. In order to save costs, the OEMs have decreased their offerings to restricted trim levels in the most popular models of the strongest brands. These variety limitations will prove to be a boon for restylers, industry leaders say. As the OEMs reduce the range of packages they offer, restylers can fill the gaps.

“Decontenting by manufacturers to lower costs will provide a lot of opportunities to accessorize and restyle,” said Karl Stearns, president of KMS Marketing Solutions and chairman of the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO). “Manufacturers also frequently bundle certain popular items, such as spoilers, with other pricey options, and the whole package pushes the vehicle out of the price range for buyers.

"It produces vehicles that consumers don’t necessarily want, with upgraded trim packages or performance features that must be purchased to obtain the few items the buyer does want. Restylers can make the popular parts available to dealers so that vehicles can be niche-marketed while eliminating the expensive, undesirable options.”

Knowledgeable dealers have come to understand that restyling provides a significant marketing opportunity. While the OEMs reduce their offerings, restylers are taking advantage of new techniques and technologies to provide products and services that are otherwise unavailable.

For more information on the restyling and car-care market, click here.

 

Buyers, exhibitors and media: Click here to register or reserve your space for the 2010 SEMA Show.

Click here to view the online floorplan.

	Car-care products, such as polish, will help to produce that new-car shine.

As the world’s premier automotive specialty-products trade show, the 2010 SEMA Show, to be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from November 2–5, 2010, attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries and also provides a unique opportunity for buyers and exhibitors to connect.

The Show covers the entire realm of the specialty-equipment industry and is comprised of 13 categories: Business Services; Global Tire Expo—Powered by TIA; Hot Rod Alley; Mobile Electronics & Technology; Paint, Body & Equipment; Powersports & Utility Vehicles; Racing & Performance; Restoration Marketplace; Restyling & Car Care Accessories; Tools & Equipment; Trucks, SUVs and Off-Road; Wheels & Accessories; and OEM.

Each will be highlighted separately every week in SEMA eNews. This week’s category is Restyling & Car Care Accessories. So far, 212 restyling and car-care accessories companies—of which, 58 are first-timers—are exhibiting in the North Hall.

In 2009, 25,086 buyers went to Las Vegas specifically to bring the newest restyling and car-care offerings from the Show floor into their own retail shops.

The restyling and car-care accessories market is made up of products used to modify a vehicle’s interior or exterior after it has left the factory, as well as those for cleaning and maintenance. Appearance and accessory products are often a consumer’s first contact with the automotive specialty-equipment industry. The trend to customize one’s vehicle was born out of the desire for consumers to create something unique that fits their personal lifestyle. Restyling products, which include sunroofs, ground effects, grille guards and drop-center bumpers, are functional; however, many consumers purchase them for their aesthetic appeal. Car-care products including vacuums, chemicals and more.

“The SEMA Show is like fashion week for the auto industry, and many of the most fashionable accessories are from the restyling and car-care market,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “Because products in the segment appeal to a wide audience, an increasing number of buyers are expanding into the restyling and car-care market. In fact, nearly 50% of buyers at the 2009 SEMA Show sought products in this market.”

As the largest segment of the industry and the only one to have increased its market share over the years, the restyling and car-care accessories market went from 51.1% market share in 1996 to 57.6% in 2006. Sales of specialty accessories and appearance products were estimated at $21.14 billion at the retail level in 2006.

The Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) is a SEMA council dedicated to addressing the challenges facing the restyling segment of the automotive aftermarket and to developing effective strategies for dealing with industry-specific issues.

In 2009, 25,086 buyers went to Las Vegas specifically to bring the newest restyling and car-care offerings from the Show floor into their own retail shops.

One of the most profound effects of the recession was the decline in U.S. vehicle sales, which plummeted from nearly 17 million in 2006 to about 10.6 million in 2009, according to Ward’s AutoWorld. And while the downturn impacted nearly every aspect of the automotive aftermarket, some of the greatest damage occurred in the restyling category, whose very existence is based on available vehicle inventory. Conversely, the recession and market forces also caused OEMs to change the way they develop and market their products.

Gone are the days when each automaker produced a multitude of variants, each of which was accompanied by seemingly unending options lists. In order to save costs, the OEMs have decreased their offerings to restricted trim levels in the most popular models of the strongest brands. These variety limitations will prove to be a boon for restylers, industry leaders say. As the OEMs reduce the range of packages they offer, restylers can fill the gaps.

“Decontenting by manufacturers to lower costs will provide a lot of opportunities to accessorize and restyle,” said Karl Stearns, president of KMS Marketing Solutions and chairman of the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO). “Manufacturers also frequently bundle certain popular items, such as spoilers, with other pricey options, and the whole package pushes the vehicle out of the price range for buyers.

"It produces vehicles that consumers don’t necessarily want, with upgraded trim packages or performance features that must be purchased to obtain the few items the buyer does want. Restylers can make the popular parts available to dealers so that vehicles can be niche-marketed while eliminating the expensive, undesirable options.”

Knowledgeable dealers have come to understand that restyling provides a significant marketing opportunity. While the OEMs reduce their offerings, restylers are taking advantage of new techniques and technologies to provide products and services that are otherwise unavailable.

For more information on the restyling and car-care market, click here.

 

Buyers, exhibitors and media: Click here to register or reserve your space for the 2010 SEMA Show.

Click here to view the online floorplan.

	Drawing 120 cars and 900 spectators, the second annual Show 'N Shine filled the Pasadena Convention Center with a mix of metal spanning nearly 100 years of automotive history.

Collectors, enthusiasts and gearheads of all stripes came out for the second annual SEMA Show 'N Shine car show, July 24, in Pasadena, California. The event drew nearly 120 cars, ranging from pre-war Ford and Buick metal to lowriders, late-model muscle and vintage Mercedes-Benz. All proceeds from entry fees went to benefit ChildHelp and Victory Junction Gang Camp charities.

Show 'N Shine organizer Mike Spagnola of Street Scene Equipment was impressed, and admittedly a little surprised by the growth and interest in the event.

"It was completely sold out," Spagnola said. "Car show spaces, vendor slots—totally full."

It also drew a similarly eclectic collection as last year's showing of local automotive classics and contemporaries.

"If you ever wanted to see who the retail 'SEMA' customer is, Show 'N Shine was the perfect example," said Spagnola, who helmed last year's inaugural show. "We had lifted and lowered, rods and musclecars, trucks, donks, imports, classic restored—everything. You can't plan for that when you're developing a car show, but it worked out perfect."

Show 'N Shine Winners included:

People's Choice: '64 Lincoln Continental, Rich Evans
Participant's Choice: ’06 Ford Mustang, Bill Lohr
Best Interior: '56 Ford pickup, Brian Glick
Best Engine: '61 Plymouth two-door, Charlie Tachdjian
Best Paint: '69 Pontiac, Art Peterson
SEMA Cares Selection: '41 Plymouth Coupe, Mike Harn
Kid's Pick: '38 Buick Century, Pete Rius
Top 10

• ’56 Ford pickup, Steve Lopez
• '60 Ford Starliner, Ron Tittle
• '30 Ford Model A, Chuck Schuweker
• '53 Studebaker Starlight Coupe, Leonard Knight
• '36 Ford roadster, Fred DeFalco
• '57 Ford Thunderbird, Jerry Logan
• '50 Chevy pickup, Jim Meyer
• "Wood Car," Kelsey Clark
• '50 Oldsmobile 88, Marty Fisher
• '70 Pontiac Firebird, Michael Keenan

	The "ROD Riguez," a custom, Japan-built 1930 Ford Model A sedan.		Jerry Logan's '57 Thunderbrid was a judge's favorite for the Top 10.
	'51 Ford Custom Victoria hardtop coupe.		Steve Lopez' '56 Ford F-100 won a Top 10 award from the judges.
	Rich Evans' '64 Continental was the hands-down crowd favorite, winning Evans the People's Choice award and a trip to the 2010 SEMA Show.		Quilted stitching and suicide doors are just two of the features that made Evans' '64 Lincoln the People's Choice.
	Kelsey Clark's wood pedal car replica features 24-volt electric drive, working headlights and a radio and 30 different exotic woods and is, according to Clark, made from 80% recycled material.		Charlie Tachdjian's '61 Plymouth took the award for Best Engine.
	Bill Lohr's 2006 Mustang was a favorite among fellow car show participants, earning Lohr the Participant's Choice award and a trip to the 2010 SEMA Show.		This '29 Ford Model A Sport Coupe is powered by a Chevy small-block.
	'70 Dodge Challenger T/A done resto-mod style.		Dave Wolin's '57 Mercedes-Benz 300SL didn't win any awards, but left us with a dose of LeMans and Mille Miglia nostalgia.
	Under the hood of "Moonshined," a heavily-modified '66 Pontiac GTO packed with a 428 c.i. big block.		Inside the '66 "Moonshined" GTO.
	Chip Foose's "P-32" is a '32 Ford "Deuce" roadster inspired by WWII aircraft design and powered by a flathead Lincoln V-12.		Customized 80's Oldsmobile Cutlass, done hi-rise box style with thumping audio system, rich paint and detailed airbrushing.
	Chopped and hot-rodded '32 Ford "Deuce" roadster pickup.		The 23-GT, a circle-track inspired Model T roadster street rod.
	SEMA Hall of Famers Van Woodell, Harry Hibler, Louis Senter and Ron Funfar were among the honorees hanging out in the Hall of Fame VIP area.		Chip Foose returned as Grand Marshall of the Show 'N Shine, sharing his knowledge and experience with showgoers and signing every autograph asked of him.
	Dennis Gage was also on hand to sign and extend the classic car legacy and enthusiasm into the next generations.		The 2008 AREX puts down more than 600 hp from a blown V8—plenty enough to outrun from the '69 Plymouth Belvedere L.A.P.D. patrol car next to it.