News | Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

2017 SEMA Cares Ford Bronco Unveiled

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 12:54

SEMA News—February 2018

Built by WD-40 and Aaron Vaccar, the “Boosted” Bronco Now Heads to Auction to Benefit SEMA Cares

The WD-40/SEMA Cares Boosted Bronco was unveiled in the WD-40 booth at the 2017 SEMA Show.

A partnership now eight years in the making, WD-40 Co. and SEMA Cares have again teamed to create a one-of-a-kind build, with SEMA Cares’ partner charities—Childhelp and the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund—as the beneficiaries. Over the years, WD-40 has produced vehicles representing a variety of niches, partnering with automotive aftermarket companies to help turn ideas into reality.

“We have a long history of supporting the automotive industry with products that help auto pros get the job done and through our partnership with SEMA,” said Tim Lesmeister, vice president of marketing at WD-40 Co. “This project allows WD-40 to continue that tradition of support for the automotive industry, aftermarket professionals and auto enthusiasts.”

About the Bronco

For 2017, WD-40 enlisted the help of young automotive builder Aaron Vaccar of The Vaccar Co. A recent SEMA News 35 Under 35 award honoree, Vaccar has been a lifelong fan of the Bronco.

“The original ’66 Ford Bronco is an iconic, cult classic vehicle, and we’ve created a modern, bespoke version with the WD-40/SEMA Cares Boosted Bronco,” Vaccar said.

The term “boosted” was not, in fact, hyperbole. Rather, it was derived from the Bronco’s main attraction: a Ford Performance 3.5L V6 EcoBoost crate engine. The engine swap was a crucial component to the Bronco’s modern, sporty character and was accompanied by a Ford 6R80 transmission, a Flowmaster exhaust and an Airaid intake system. The new powerplant was chosen to give the Bronco a modern spin while also adding turbocharged power and efficiency that will work for decades to come.

“The Boosted Bronco allowed us to pay tribute to traditional hot-rodding standards of execution and finish with a first-of-its-kind vehicle,” Vaccar said.

The restomod theme continued with Detroit Steel Wheel 20-in. wheels wrapped in General Tires, Vaccar’s Master Garage Roadster-style doors and fender flares, in addition to Diode Dynamics 7-in. dual projector headlights. The Bronco was finished in BASF matte Kona Blue with Gloss Triple Yellow paint accent.

Completing the Boosted Bronco was a custom interior riddled with special details, including Distinctive Industries ’65 Mustang Touring II seats, AutoMeter gauges and a GripRoyal suede steering wheel, each adding to the Bronco’s functionally modern equipment while keeping its classic styling and character.

The Work of SEMA Cares

The practice of building cars to benefit charity represents just a small portion of the work that SEMA Cares does on an annual basis. The SEMA Cares Committee was established in 2007 by the SEMA Board of Directors with the goal of bringing the voice and resources of the SEMA community together to make a positive difference in the lives of others through outreach programs and various fundraising efforts.

In addition to building cars for auction, SEMA Cares puts on multiple events throughout the year, including the Pinewood drag races. For more information on SEMA Cares and its work with local communities, visit www.sema.org/sema-cares.

Assuming final tweaks happen on schedule, the WD-40 Boosted Bronco will be hitting the auction block during the 2018 calendar year, further advancing the shared goal of SEMA Cares and WD-40.

“By auctioning the vehicle and donating the proceeds to SEMA Cares, WD-40 Company is able to live these values by helping Childhelp, an organization that provides services to abused and neglected children, and the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, which offers scholarships to students entering the automotive aftermarket,” Lesmeister concluded.

2017 SEMA Cares Ford Bronco Unveiled

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 12:54

SEMA News—February 2018

Built by WD-40 and Aaron Vaccar, the “Boosted” Bronco Now Heads to Auction to Benefit SEMA Cares

The WD-40/SEMA Cares Boosted Bronco was unveiled in the WD-40 booth at the 2017 SEMA Show.

A partnership now eight years in the making, WD-40 Co. and SEMA Cares have again teamed to create a one-of-a-kind build, with SEMA Cares’ partner charities—Childhelp and the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund—as the beneficiaries. Over the years, WD-40 has produced vehicles representing a variety of niches, partnering with automotive aftermarket companies to help turn ideas into reality.

“We have a long history of supporting the automotive industry with products that help auto pros get the job done and through our partnership with SEMA,” said Tim Lesmeister, vice president of marketing at WD-40 Co. “This project allows WD-40 to continue that tradition of support for the automotive industry, aftermarket professionals and auto enthusiasts.”

About the Bronco

For 2017, WD-40 enlisted the help of young automotive builder Aaron Vaccar of The Vaccar Co. A recent SEMA News 35 Under 35 award honoree, Vaccar has been a lifelong fan of the Bronco.

“The original ’66 Ford Bronco is an iconic, cult classic vehicle, and we’ve created a modern, bespoke version with the WD-40/SEMA Cares Boosted Bronco,” Vaccar said.

The term “boosted” was not, in fact, hyperbole. Rather, it was derived from the Bronco’s main attraction: a Ford Performance 3.5L V6 EcoBoost crate engine. The engine swap was a crucial component to the Bronco’s modern, sporty character and was accompanied by a Ford 6R80 transmission, a Flowmaster exhaust and an Airaid intake system. The new powerplant was chosen to give the Bronco a modern spin while also adding turbocharged power and efficiency that will work for decades to come.

“The Boosted Bronco allowed us to pay tribute to traditional hot-rodding standards of execution and finish with a first-of-its-kind vehicle,” Vaccar said.

The restomod theme continued with Detroit Steel Wheel 20-in. wheels wrapped in General Tires, Vaccar’s Master Garage Roadster-style doors and fender flares, in addition to Diode Dynamics 7-in. dual projector headlights. The Bronco was finished in BASF matte Kona Blue with Gloss Triple Yellow paint accent.

Completing the Boosted Bronco was a custom interior riddled with special details, including Distinctive Industries ’65 Mustang Touring II seats, AutoMeter gauges and a GripRoyal suede steering wheel, each adding to the Bronco’s functionally modern equipment while keeping its classic styling and character.

The Work of SEMA Cares

The practice of building cars to benefit charity represents just a small portion of the work that SEMA Cares does on an annual basis. The SEMA Cares Committee was established in 2007 by the SEMA Board of Directors with the goal of bringing the voice and resources of the SEMA community together to make a positive difference in the lives of others through outreach programs and various fundraising efforts.

In addition to building cars for auction, SEMA Cares puts on multiple events throughout the year, including the Pinewood drag races. For more information on SEMA Cares and its work with local communities, visit www.sema.org/sema-cares.

Assuming final tweaks happen on schedule, the WD-40 Boosted Bronco will be hitting the auction block during the 2018 calendar year, further advancing the shared goal of SEMA Cares and WD-40.

“By auctioning the vehicle and donating the proceeds to SEMA Cares, WD-40 Company is able to live these values by helping Childhelp, an organization that provides services to abused and neglected children, and the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, which offers scholarships to students entering the automotive aftermarket,” Lesmeister concluded.

Lawmakers Love Cars

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 12:51

SEMA News—February 2018

FROM THE HILL

By Daniel Ingber

Lawmakers Love Cars

State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus Leads the Way in Support of the Hobby

Current and former members of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus gathered this past November to enjoy dinner, meet with SEMA staff, and tour the 2017 SEMA Show. The caucus is comprised of more than 750 legislators from all 50 states and helps raise the automotive hobby’s profile in the state capitols. In attendance were (standing left to right) Sen. Jim Patrick (ID); Rep. Howard Mosby (GA); Rep. Joe Pitre (NH); Del. Terri Sypolt (WV); Sen. Dave Sypolt (WV); Assemblymember Jim Frazier (CA); Rep. Stan Blake (WY); Sen. Josh Newman (CA); Sen. Mo Denis (NV); Rep. Roger Bruce (GA); Rep. Patrick Brennan (VT); Rep. Jason Ridley (GA); (seated left to right) Rep. Chip Campbell (SD); Sen. Mark Maynard (WV); Caucus Chairman Del. Gary Howell (WV); Sen. Tony Mendoza (CA); Former Sen. Mark Manendo (NV); and Rep. Linda Gallagher (KS).

It’s often said that it’s not what you know but who you know. In today’s political climate, it pays to have a sizeable Rolodex.

Given the outsized influence that states play in regulating the automotive specialty-equipment aftermarket industry, SEMA recognized long ago the importance of forging relationships with some of the most powerful state lawmakers in the country, and the results speak for themselves.

SEMA officially chartered the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus in 2005. It was the byproduct of long-standing relationships with legislators around the country. The caucus is a nonpartisan group of state lawmakers who love automobiles and appreciate the important role the industry plays as an economic driver in communities across the United States. Working in their state capitals, caucus members preserve and protect the industry by seeking to improve existing motor vehicle laws and creating new programs to safeguard and expand the hobby.

Currently led by West Virginia Delegate Gary Howell (R), these state-level legislators have been responsible for a range of pro-industry legislation, such as titling and registration for custom cars and street rods, reducing the tax burden on collector-car owners, implementing commonsense exhaust-noise testing programs and emissions exemptions, allowing single rear license plates, and abolishing ethanol requirements in gasoline.

The state caucus, now comprised of more than 750 members, is a vital tool for SEMA’s efforts to protect the industry. It has also been valuable to SEMA’s efforts to work with Congress, as many state caucus members have gone on to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. To see if your state lawmaker is a member of the caucus, visit www.semasan.com. For more information on the caucus, contact Daniel Ingber via email at danieli@sema.org.

Tell the U.S. Congress What Matters Most to You at the 2018 SEMA Washington Rally

Whether it’s pursuing a pro-growth and job-creation agenda or combating counterfeit products, there are many issues facing SEMA members in the nation’s capital. Join fellow SEMA members in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, May 16, for the 2018 SEMA Washington Rally.

The Washington Rally is your opportunity to demonstrate to congressional lawmakers the importance and strength of the $41-billion specialty-equipment industry. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with your legislators on Capitol Hill and inform them of the issues that matter most to you, your community and your business. The SEMA Washington Rally is exclusively for SEMA members.

Scheduled events include:

Legislative briefing session with SEMA staff.
One-on-one meetings with
legislators.
Capitol Hill luncheon.
Private reception with members
of Congress.
Opportunities to visit attractions
in the nation’s capital.

To register or for more information, please contact Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

Fancy Footwork

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 12:33

SEMA News—February 2018

HERITAGE

By Drew Hardin

Photo Courtesy Pat Brollier, Petersen Publishing Company Archives

The 1967 NASCAR season was dominated by Richard Petty and his Hemi-powered Plymouth Satellite—a potent combination that won 27 races and notched 35 top-five finishes in 48 starts that year. NASCAR’s 1966 champion, David Pearson, found himself struggling in 1967. He ran just a partial season and left Cotton Owens’ Dodge team after 10 races to drive Fords for Holman Moody.

In September 1967, several Petersen Publishing Company staffers traveled to Darlington Raceway in South Carolina for the Southern 500. Ray Brock, reporting on the race for Hot Rod magazine, said Petty “was never challenged after the first few laps.” By the time the race was over, he had a five-lap margin over the second-place car, Pearson’s number 17 Fairlane.

But Pearson wasn’t in the Ford for that second-place finish. Late in the race he got dirt in his right eye, a condition that got so bad he had to “call for relief,” wrote Brock. Cale Yarborough, whose Fairlane had blown its engine in just the third lap and had already changed into street clothes, was pressed into duty to fill in for Pearson.

So when Brock shot this photo of Pearson’s car in for a pit stop, it’s Yarborough behind the wheel, taking a drink while conferring with Glen Wood, of the famous Wood Brothers, pioneers of the quick pit stop. Why is Wood (and another member of his crew to his right) balanced so precariously?

“Six men are allowed over the wall on pit stops,” read Brock’s caption for this photo, which appeared in the November 1967 issue. From this angle a sixth man is out of the camera’s view at the right rear wheel, so to keep within the letter of the law, at least, “Wood has to keep one foot in legal territory as he talks to his driver.”

Pearson would finish the 1967 season with two wins and in seventh place in the overall standings. But in 1968, driving a new aerodynamic Ford Torino, he would come back to win the first of two back-to-back NASCAR championships.

SEMA Cares ’17 Ford F-250 Super Duty Fetches $115,000 for Childhelp at Barrett-Jackson

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 11:22

By Chad Simon

Loaded with aftermarket upgrades, the SEMA Cares ’17 Ford F-250 Super Duty SuperCab XLT 4x4 was built at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, and auctioned for charity at Barrett Jackson, Thursday, January 18, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The SEMA Cares ’17 Ford F-250 Super Duty SuperCab XLT 4x4, built at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, sold at Barrett-Jackson, Thursday, January 18, in Scottsdale, Arizona, for $115,000. Proceeds benefit the Childhelp children’s charity.

The truck was donated by Ford and built by SEMA Garage staff and member manufacturers to demonstrate the latest technology that can be used for building a vehicle, familiarize membership with the Tech Transfer program and raise funds for SEMA Cares charities.

The Super Duty showcased many new products, including a Rogue Racing custom rear cantilever suspension and oversized CAD-designed fenders, Icon Vehicle Dynamics front four-link suspension and a Stratasys 3D-printed custom grille shell.

Equipped with a 6.7L Power Stroke V8 diesel, the truck was tuned at aFe Power in Corona, California, with an aFe Power Scorcher HD Electronic Power Module, Momentum HD air intake air cleaner, and 5-in. DPF-back exhaust system. The upgrades added 50 hp and nearly 100 lb.-ft. of torque, totaling 397 hp and 817 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels.

In addition to the rear suspension system, Rogue Racing supplied the front and rear bumpers and custom bed rack. LGE*CTS Motorsports in San Dimas, California, installed the fenders and managed the custom matte silver/black/bronze paint scheme. The 3.0 External Bypass full adjustable shocks utilize Icon Vehicle Dynamics coil springs. A performance front sway bar by Hellwig Suspension Products added more control.

The wheels are custom Raceline bronze 935M Defenders with 2-in. Rough Country wheel spacers, and are wrapped in Toyo Open Country M/T tires. Macs Custom Tie Downs supplied spare-tire tie-downs.

Baja Designs provided the lighting, featuring 10-in. LEDs, four wide/driving S8 10-in. lightbars and another two S2 Pro LED flush-mount amber spots. In addition, the Rogue Racing Enforcer front bumper has two S2 Pro LED driving lights and two XL-R Pro LED driving/combo ambers. A Warn Zeon 12s winch was mounted to the Rogue unit.

A Curt manufacturing Class 5 Commercial Duty hitch was installed to handle towing duties. The AMP Research Power Step XL retractable steps are illuminated when they are down to help improve footing when it’s dark.

A pair of BD Squadron Pros were mounted atop the Rogue Racing bed cage. An ARB Twin Compressor rests underneath the truck for when more air is needed.

Mounted near the A-pillar, an sPOD 8-Circuit SE System was tasked with operating all of the lights, and the stock stereo system was upgraded with a SYNC 3 system and a Kicker Audio–powered vehicle-specific sub enclosure.

To date, SEMA Cares and Barrett-Jackson together have raised more than $2 million for SEMA Cares charities and the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. Last year alone, SEMA Cares raised $95,000 from the sale of the Ford Maverick and $75,000 from the sale of the Omix-ADA Jeep Wrangler.

“It’s exciting to see the industry we all love and cherish give back to those who are less fortunate,” said Mike Spagnola, SEMA vice president of OEM and product development programs. “SEMA Cares was established 11 years ago to benefit the charities that SEMA supports. Special thanks to Craig Jackson for partnering with SEMA Cares and helping to raise money for its charities.”

Watch Spagnola talk about the F-250 build.

Watch the truck being auctioned at Barrett-Jackson.