SBN volunteer Theresa Contreres removed underhood components so that the area could be painted black to conform to the project paint scheme.
	The front clip was among the many components that had to be removed prior to sanding and painting.
	With most of the components removed, the process of taping off the connectors and masking everything else began.
	Completely masked and prepped, the underhood area was painted.
	With everything reassembled, sisters Theresa Contreras and Sara Morosan of L&G Enterprises, stood next to the High Gear Mustang project, now sporting a black underhood paint job that looks like it was done at the factory.

For this year’s SEMA Show, Ford Motor Co. and SEMA have teamed up on a unique project: the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women. Under the direction of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) and built entirely by SBN members, the project is designed to shine the light on women working in the automotive aftermarket and encourage more women to pursue careers in the industry.

Donated by Ford Motor Co., 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. The satin-black luxury Mustang concept, designed by Jennifer Seely of Ford and known as High Gear, was adopted after an intense period of Internet voting and an ambitious, detailed build schedule was developed.

The first to get their hands on the donated ’13 Mustang GT were SBN members Theresa Contreras and Sara Morosan of L&G Enterprises in San Dimas, California. L&G is an award-winning, family-owned, full-service paint and body shop that has developed a national reputation for custom paint and design. L&G’s work has appeared on more than a dozen magazine covers and at many custom car shows, and its team regularly builds customs that end up at the SEMA Show.

Contreras is an experienced car builder and custom painter, and Morosan is L&G’s sales manager. Both grew up working in the L&G body shop and clearly relished the job at hand.

The High Gear Mustang GT came in white from the factory but is slated to receive a custom black-satin exterior finish. The paint is scheduled to be the last job in the build sequence, but because the plan includes adding underhood performance mods, the engine compartment needed to be painted first. That meant that all of the engine accessories bolted to the fenderwells, firewall and framerails had to be removed, along with the entire front clip, before the engine compartment could be painted black.

Contreras and Morosan, working as a team, took on the tedious job of removing everything that might hinder a perfect underhood paint job, which included removing components, such as the battery and battery box, air intake and air filter, brake line plumbing, hood-release mechanism, CPU, wipers and washer fluid reservoir, driving lights and fog lights and the hood and entire front bumper, plus all of the assorted pieces of insulation and heat shielding, among other things. The hardware was meticulously labeled and stored in plastic bags, and all of the connectors and fasteners were taped off and labeled.

After a few hours of work, the white engine compartment walls and frame rails were completely exposed. Factory stickers and labels were removed, then the engine and remaining lines and wiring harness pieces were masked off and all of the white underhood surfaces were sanded and wiped down with tack cloth prior to painting.

The next stop was the spray booth, where Contreras carefully sprayed the underhood area, paying special attention to all the little nooks and crannies that might show if any white remained visible. When she was satisfied, the paint was allowed to dry, and all of the pieces that had been removed for painting were carefully re-installed, including the factory labels. The end result was an all-black underhood area that looked exactly as if it had come that way from the factory.

Next stop for the High Gear Mustang will be the shop at Source Interlink Media headquarters, where other teams of SBN-member volunteer workers will add more custom touches, such as quilted suede seats and Rosegold chrome accents throughout the exterior and interior. They will also make modifications to the engine, undercarriage, drivetrain and sound system. When the process is complete, the car will come back to L&G for the exterior paint work.

The SBN vehicle build task force is comprised of Task Force Chair Rose Kawasaki (Exports International), Project Vehicle Coordinator Sherry Kollien (Ford Motor Co.), Assembly Coordinator Kellie Colf (Colf Creative Resources), PR/Media Coordinator Camee Edelbrock (Schiefer Media Inc.) and Product Coordinator Susan Carpenter (JR Products). Advisors include Mike Spagnola (Street Scene Equipment), Joel Ayres (Bedslide/Takit) and Marla Moore (Hypertech).

To learn more about the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women, visit www.SEMA.org/SEMAmustangbuild, or contact Bryan Harrison, SEMA's senior manager of councils and the build's project manager at bryanh@sema.org. 

	SBN volunteer Theresa Contreres removed underhood components so that the area could be painted black to conform to the project paint scheme.
	The front clip was among the many components that had to be removed prior to sanding and painting.
	With most of the components removed, the process of taping off the connectors and masking everything else began.
	Completely masked and prepped, the underhood area was painted.
	With everything reassembled, sisters Theresa Contreras and Sara Morosan of L&G Enterprises, stood next to the High Gear Mustang project, now sporting a black underhood paint job that looks like it was done at the factory.

For this year’s SEMA Show, Ford Motor Co. and SEMA have teamed up on a unique project: the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women. Under the direction of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) and built entirely by SBN members, the project is designed to shine the light on women working in the automotive aftermarket and encourage more women to pursue careers in the industry.

Donated by Ford Motor Co., 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. The satin-black luxury Mustang concept, designed by Jennifer Seely of Ford and known as High Gear, was adopted after an intense period of Internet voting and an ambitious, detailed build schedule was developed.

The first to get their hands on the donated ’13 Mustang GT were SBN members Theresa Contreras and Sara Morosan of L&G Enterprises in San Dimas, California. L&G is an award-winning, family-owned, full-service paint and body shop that has developed a national reputation for custom paint and design. L&G’s work has appeared on more than a dozen magazine covers and at many custom car shows, and its team regularly builds customs that end up at the SEMA Show.

Contreras is an experienced car builder and custom painter, and Morosan is L&G’s sales manager. Both grew up working in the L&G body shop and clearly relished the job at hand.

The High Gear Mustang GT came in white from the factory but is slated to receive a custom black-satin exterior finish. The paint is scheduled to be the last job in the build sequence, but because the plan includes adding underhood performance mods, the engine compartment needed to be painted first. That meant that all of the engine accessories bolted to the fenderwells, firewall and framerails had to be removed, along with the entire front clip, before the engine compartment could be painted black.

Contreras and Morosan, working as a team, took on the tedious job of removing everything that might hinder a perfect underhood paint job, which included removing components, such as the battery and battery box, air intake and air filter, brake line plumbing, hood-release mechanism, CPU, wipers and washer fluid reservoir, driving lights and fog lights and the hood and entire front bumper, plus all of the assorted pieces of insulation and heat shielding, among other things. The hardware was meticulously labeled and stored in plastic bags, and all of the connectors and fasteners were taped off and labeled.

After a few hours of work, the white engine compartment walls and frame rails were completely exposed. Factory stickers and labels were removed, then the engine and remaining lines and wiring harness pieces were masked off and all of the white underhood surfaces were sanded and wiped down with tack cloth prior to painting.

The next stop was the spray booth, where Contreras carefully sprayed the underhood area, paying special attention to all the little nooks and crannies that might show if any white remained visible. When she was satisfied, the paint was allowed to dry, and all of the pieces that had been removed for painting were carefully re-installed, including the factory labels. The end result was an all-black underhood area that looked exactly as if it had come that way from the factory.

Next stop for the High Gear Mustang will be the shop at Source Interlink Media headquarters, where other teams of SBN-member volunteer workers will add more custom touches, such as quilted suede seats and Rosegold chrome accents throughout the exterior and interior. They will also make modifications to the engine, undercarriage, drivetrain and sound system. When the process is complete, the car will come back to L&G for the exterior paint work.

The SBN vehicle build task force is comprised of Task Force Chair Rose Kawasaki (Exports International), Project Vehicle Coordinator Sherry Kollien (Ford Motor Co.), Assembly Coordinator Kellie Colf (Colf Creative Resources), PR/Media Coordinator Camee Edelbrock (Schiefer Media Inc.) and Product Coordinator Susan Carpenter (JR Products). Advisors include Mike Spagnola (Street Scene Equipment), Joel Ayres (Bedslide/Takit) and Marla Moore (Hypertech).

To learn more about the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women, visit www.SEMA.org/SEMAmustangbuild, or contact Bryan Harrison, SEMA's senior manager of councils and the build's project manager at bryanh@sema.org. 

	SBN volunteer Theresa Contreres removed underhood components so that the area could be painted black to conform to the project paint scheme.
	The front clip was among the many components that had to be removed prior to sanding and painting.
	With most of the components removed, the process of taping off the connectors and masking everything else began.
	Completely masked and prepped, the underhood area was painted.
	With everything reassembled, sisters Theresa Contreras and Sara Morosan of L&G Enterprises, stood next to the High Gear Mustang project, now sporting a black underhood paint job that looks like it was done at the factory.

For this year’s SEMA Show, Ford Motor Co. and SEMA have teamed up on a unique project: the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women. Under the direction of the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) and built entirely by SBN members, the project is designed to shine the light on women working in the automotive aftermarket and encourage more women to pursue careers in the industry.

Donated by Ford Motor Co., 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. The satin-black luxury Mustang concept, designed by Jennifer Seely of Ford and known as High Gear, was adopted after an intense period of Internet voting and an ambitious, detailed build schedule was developed.

The first to get their hands on the donated ’13 Mustang GT were SBN members Theresa Contreras and Sara Morosan of L&G Enterprises in San Dimas, California. L&G is an award-winning, family-owned, full-service paint and body shop that has developed a national reputation for custom paint and design. L&G’s work has appeared on more than a dozen magazine covers and at many custom car shows, and its team regularly builds customs that end up at the SEMA Show.

Contreras is an experienced car builder and custom painter, and Morosan is L&G’s sales manager. Both grew up working in the L&G body shop and clearly relished the job at hand.

The High Gear Mustang GT came in white from the factory but is slated to receive a custom black-satin exterior finish. The paint is scheduled to be the last job in the build sequence, but because the plan includes adding underhood performance mods, the engine compartment needed to be painted first. That meant that all of the engine accessories bolted to the fenderwells, firewall and framerails had to be removed, along with the entire front clip, before the engine compartment could be painted black.

Contreras and Morosan, working as a team, took on the tedious job of removing everything that might hinder a perfect underhood paint job, which included removing components, such as the battery and battery box, air intake and air filter, brake line plumbing, hood-release mechanism, CPU, wipers and washer fluid reservoir, driving lights and fog lights and the hood and entire front bumper, plus all of the assorted pieces of insulation and heat shielding, among other things. The hardware was meticulously labeled and stored in plastic bags, and all of the connectors and fasteners were taped off and labeled.

After a few hours of work, the white engine compartment walls and frame rails were completely exposed. Factory stickers and labels were removed, then the engine and remaining lines and wiring harness pieces were masked off and all of the white underhood surfaces were sanded and wiped down with tack cloth prior to painting.

The next stop was the spray booth, where Contreras carefully sprayed the underhood area, paying special attention to all the little nooks and crannies that might show if any white remained visible. When she was satisfied, the paint was allowed to dry, and all of the pieces that had been removed for painting were carefully re-installed, including the factory labels. The end result was an all-black underhood area that looked exactly as if it had come that way from the factory.

Next stop for the High Gear Mustang will be the shop at Source Interlink Media headquarters, where other teams of SBN-member volunteer workers will add more custom touches, such as quilted suede seats and Rosegold chrome accents throughout the exterior and interior. They will also make modifications to the engine, undercarriage, drivetrain and sound system. When the process is complete, the car will come back to L&G for the exterior paint work.

The SBN vehicle build task force is comprised of Task Force Chair Rose Kawasaki (Exports International), Project Vehicle Coordinator Sherry Kollien (Ford Motor Co.), Assembly Coordinator Kellie Colf (Colf Creative Resources), PR/Media Coordinator Camee Edelbrock (Schiefer Media Inc.) and Product Coordinator Susan Carpenter (JR Products). Advisors include Mike Spagnola (Street Scene Equipment), Joel Ayres (Bedslide/Takit) and Marla Moore (Hypertech).

To learn more about the SEMA Mustang Build Powered by Women, visit www.SEMA.org/SEMAmustangbuild, or contact Bryan Harrison, SEMA's senior manager of councils and the build's project manager at bryanh@sema.org. 

	The First-Time and Featured Exhibitors section includes hundreds of exhibitors representing a variety of market categories.

Located alongside the Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase in the upper level of South Hall, the First-Time and Featured Exhibitors Section that debuted at last year’s SEMA Show will return in 2012. With nearly 2,000 manufacturers exhibiting throughout the SEMA Show, the First-Time and Featured Exhibitors section serves as an easy and convenient location for buyers to hone in on hundreds of new and emerging manufacturers who are exhibiting at the Show for the first time.

“Last year’s First-Time and Featured Exhibitors Section proved to be successful at connecting attendees with new exhibitors,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “Buyers will again be able to meet with new exhibitors quickly and easily, while conveniently stopping by the New Products Showcase at the same time.”

The Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase is among one of the most visited attractions at the SEMA Show. With hundreds of products featured in display cases, the area helps attendees to get an overview of what’s new and debuting at the Show.

“Buyers and media often make the New Products Showcase their first stop, visiting the area even before the Show opens on Tuesday morning,” said MacGillivray. “Visitors will note the products that interest them in the Showcase and create a list of exhibitors that they want to visit. This often becomes their plan for the week.”

The First-Time and Featured Exhibitors section includes hundreds of exhibitors representing a variety of market categories. To view a complete list of exhibitors and their booth locations, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

The SEMA Show is a trade-only event not open to the general public. This year’s event takes place Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, 2012, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

	The First-Time and Featured Exhibitors section includes hundreds of exhibitors representing a variety of market categories.

Located alongside the Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase in the upper level of South Hall, the First-Time and Featured Exhibitors Section that debuted at last year’s SEMA Show will return in 2012. With nearly 2,000 manufacturers exhibiting throughout the SEMA Show, the First-Time and Featured Exhibitors section serves as an easy and convenient location for buyers to hone in on hundreds of new and emerging manufacturers who are exhibiting at the Show for the first time.

“Last year’s First-Time and Featured Exhibitors Section proved to be successful at connecting attendees with new exhibitors,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “Buyers will again be able to meet with new exhibitors quickly and easily, while conveniently stopping by the New Products Showcase at the same time.”

The Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase is among one of the most visited attractions at the SEMA Show. With hundreds of products featured in display cases, the area helps attendees to get an overview of what’s new and debuting at the Show.

“Buyers and media often make the New Products Showcase their first stop, visiting the area even before the Show opens on Tuesday morning,” said MacGillivray. “Visitors will note the products that interest them in the Showcase and create a list of exhibitors that they want to visit. This often becomes their plan for the week.”

The First-Time and Featured Exhibitors section includes hundreds of exhibitors representing a variety of market categories. To view a complete list of exhibitors and their booth locations, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

The SEMA Show is a trade-only event not open to the general public. This year’s event takes place Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, 2012, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

	The First-Time and Featured Exhibitors section includes hundreds of exhibitors representing a variety of market categories.

Located alongside the Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase in the upper level of South Hall, the First-Time and Featured Exhibitors Section that debuted at last year’s SEMA Show will return in 2012. With nearly 2,000 manufacturers exhibiting throughout the SEMA Show, the First-Time and Featured Exhibitors section serves as an easy and convenient location for buyers to hone in on hundreds of new and emerging manufacturers who are exhibiting at the Show for the first time.

“Last year’s First-Time and Featured Exhibitors Section proved to be successful at connecting attendees with new exhibitors,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events. “Buyers will again be able to meet with new exhibitors quickly and easily, while conveniently stopping by the New Products Showcase at the same time.”

The Ideas Alive: Featuring the New Products Showcase is among one of the most visited attractions at the SEMA Show. With hundreds of products featured in display cases, the area helps attendees to get an overview of what’s new and debuting at the Show.

“Buyers and media often make the New Products Showcase their first stop, visiting the area even before the Show opens on Tuesday morning,” said MacGillivray. “Visitors will note the products that interest them in the Showcase and create a list of exhibitors that they want to visit. This often becomes their plan for the week.”

The First-Time and Featured Exhibitors section includes hundreds of exhibitors representing a variety of market categories. To view a complete list of exhibitors and their booth locations, visit www.SEMAShow.com.

The SEMA Show is a trade-only event not open to the general public. This year’s event takes place Tuesday–Friday, October 30–November 2, 2012, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

	Ray Gollahan of Brookville Roadster Inc. won the Hall of Fame Award at last year's HRIA Industry Awards Reception.

Each year, the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) awards the Industry Recognition of an Individual, Business of the Year, and Hall of Fame honors to the top businesses and individuals for their contributions to the hot-rod sector of the specialty-equipment market. The winners of these awards will be recognized at the 2012 HRIA Industry Awards Reception, October 31, 2012, during the SEMA Show at the Hotel Las Vegas.

To nominate a business or individual for one or more of the 2012 HRIA Awards, please click on the links below for the full award criteria. Award criteria and nomination forms can also be found on the HRIA website.

Business of the Year Award

The HRIA will recognize the company that has provided exceptional service, integrity and business ethics throughout the past year. The Business of the Year should have made a significant contribution and impact on the hot-rod industry and promoted the hobby as a whole. If you know of a SEMA-member company that fits this profile, please click on the above link and complete the form today.

Industry Recognition Award of an Individual

The HRIA Industry Recognition of an Individual is a person who has actively promoted, supported and benefited the hot-rod industry over the past 10 years or more. This individual is generally perceived as a leader in the industry and serves it in a manner that benefits the greater good. If you know of a professional in our industry who fits this profile, please click on the above link and complete the form today.

Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame award was founded to honor and recognize those outstanding individuals in the hot-rod industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the status of the industry while significantly contributing to its growth. Think back—whom do you know who should be recognized for a lifetime of contributions to the hot-rod industry?

The deadline for nominations submissions is August 17, 2012. For more information, please contact Arlene Wood at 909-978-6689.

	Ray Gollahan of Brookville Roadster Inc. won the Hall of Fame Award at last year's HRIA Industry Awards Reception.

Each year, the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) awards the Industry Recognition of an Individual, Business of the Year, and Hall of Fame honors to the top businesses and individuals for their contributions to the hot-rod sector of the specialty-equipment market. The winners of these awards will be recognized at the 2012 HRIA Industry Awards Reception, October 31, 2012, during the SEMA Show at the Hotel Las Vegas.

To nominate a business or individual for one or more of the 2012 HRIA Awards, please click on the links below for the full award criteria. Award criteria and nomination forms can also be found on the HRIA website.

Business of the Year Award

The HRIA will recognize the company that has provided exceptional service, integrity and business ethics throughout the past year. The Business of the Year should have made a significant contribution and impact on the hot-rod industry and promoted the hobby as a whole. If you know of a SEMA-member company that fits this profile, please click on the above link and complete the form today.

Industry Recognition Award of an Individual

The HRIA Industry Recognition of an Individual is a person who has actively promoted, supported and benefited the hot-rod industry over the past 10 years or more. This individual is generally perceived as a leader in the industry and serves it in a manner that benefits the greater good. If you know of a professional in our industry who fits this profile, please click on the above link and complete the form today.

Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame award was founded to honor and recognize those outstanding individuals in the hot-rod industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the status of the industry while significantly contributing to its growth. Think back—whom do you know who should be recognized for a lifetime of contributions to the hot-rod industry?

The deadline for nominations submissions is August 17, 2012. For more information, please contact Arlene Wood at 909-978-6689.

	Ray Gollahan of Brookville Roadster Inc. won the Hall of Fame Award at last year's HRIA Industry Awards Reception.

Each year, the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) awards the Industry Recognition of an Individual, Business of the Year, and Hall of Fame honors to the top businesses and individuals for their contributions to the hot-rod sector of the specialty-equipment market. The winners of these awards will be recognized at the 2012 HRIA Industry Awards Reception, October 31, 2012, during the SEMA Show at the Hotel Las Vegas.

To nominate a business or individual for one or more of the 2012 HRIA Awards, please click on the links below for the full award criteria. Award criteria and nomination forms can also be found on the HRIA website.

Business of the Year Award

The HRIA will recognize the company that has provided exceptional service, integrity and business ethics throughout the past year. The Business of the Year should have made a significant contribution and impact on the hot-rod industry and promoted the hobby as a whole. If you know of a SEMA-member company that fits this profile, please click on the above link and complete the form today.

Industry Recognition Award of an Individual

The HRIA Industry Recognition of an Individual is a person who has actively promoted, supported and benefited the hot-rod industry over the past 10 years or more. This individual is generally perceived as a leader in the industry and serves it in a manner that benefits the greater good. If you know of a professional in our industry who fits this profile, please click on the above link and complete the form today.

Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame award was founded to honor and recognize those outstanding individuals in the hot-rod industry whose creativity, dignity, integrity, industriousness and accomplishments on a national basis have enhanced the status of the industry while significantly contributing to its growth. Think back—whom do you know who should be recognized for a lifetime of contributions to the hot-rod industry?

The deadline for nominations submissions is August 17, 2012. For more information, please contact Arlene Wood at 909-978-6689.

	One of the best opportunities for exhibitors to promote their SEMA Show debut is by sending press release materials into SEMA's publication department.

The key to a SEMA Show exhibitor's overall success is building excitement and exposure for new-product launches and project-vehicle premieres prior to the Show. One of the best opportunities for exhibitors to promote their SEMA Show debut is by sending press release materials to SEMA's publication department.

New Product Promotion

One of the pre-Show publications is SEMA's monthly magazine—SEMA News. Though it's published year-round, in the months leading up to the Show, it's an excellent resource for Show attendees. In fact, the October issue will focus specifically on new products to be unveiled at the 2012 SEMA Show.

To be included, simply e-mail Managing Editor Carr Winn a brief description of the product and include a high-resolution image in either tif, eps or jpeg format. The deadline to send materials for consideration is August 10, 2012. Please review the following PDF for details about the word count and image size required to be included in the new product sneak peek.

2012 SEMA Show Project Vehicles

To get extra visibility for your project vehicles at the Show, don’t miss the free opportunity to showcase your company’s 2012 SEMA Show creation in the November issue of SEMA News magazine! Entries for the popular “Vehicles of the Show” article are now being accepted. 
To be included, e-mail Steve Campbell at stevec@sema.org with “2012 Feature Vehicle” in the subject line. Please include a high-resolution image in either tif, eps or jpeg format along with detailed information about the vehicle modifications.

For this article, entries must be received by September 7, 2012. For reference, here's a PDF highlighting the word count and image requirements necessary when completing your entry. Keep in mind that all vehicle modifications must be organized by category and that the most important detail in each submission is the contact information. This data is critical for our editorial team to contact you regarding your submission and for readers to use as a reference during the SEMA Show. Don’t wait until the last minute—ensure that your vehicle is included for free by sending your e-mail today.

For any questions about pre-Show coverage in SEMA News, please contact Carr Winn at carrw@sema.org.

Submission Policy: All submissions will be featured in pre-Show publications based on the order in which they were received on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event that the publications department receives more submissions than it can accommodate, the unpublished items will be placed on a waiting list and then included when and if additional space becomes available.