The compelling image you see on the cover of this issue was a byproduct of a visit by the world-famous SO-CAL Speed Shop crew. They came by to check out the newly completed SEMA Garage and to touch base with one of their celebrity clients—rock guitarist and legendary car collector Billy Gibbons. SO-CAL was among the first of many SEMA-member companies that will use the tools and facilities we have assembled in the SEMA Garage.

The SO-CAL team took advantage of the SEMA Garage FaroArm laser scanner to capture the exact curvature of the ’34 Ford’s sleek body panels to quickly fabricate a new custom trim piece. It’s an example of how the latest scanning and rapid prototyping tools can revolutionize the way our industry develops products.

New-Generation SVO Mustang, Ford Raptor Mule, SRT Challenger Hellcat, and GM Colorado, Canyon Diesel With VW Amarok.

Breaking news from SEMA members, including Wes-Coast Marketing, Holley Performance Products, Midwest Truck & Auto Parts, Flex-a-lite, Fidanza Performance, The Society of Collision Repair Specialists and more.

Registration for the 2014 SEMA Show is open and available. The Show takes place Tuesday–Friday, November 4–7, in Las Vegas. Registration is offered in three categories: attendee, exhibitor and media.

The 2013 SEMA Show featured literally thousands of cars. All kinds of cars. No matter what type you prefer, chances are it was on display at the SEMA Show. Whether it was Mustangs, Camaros, Porsches, Toyotas, Corvettes or something else, you were guaranteed to see the latest and greatest. These cars provide a canvas for the best in wheels, mobile-electronics products and LED headlights, just to name a few.

These custom builds were a great way for the Show’s almost 2,500 exhibitors to showcase and display their aftermarket products. SEMA Show vehicles provided aftermarket product manufacturers with the ability...

Tom’s 4x4 Superstore’s Blueprint to Continued Growth Starts With Customer Service

Tom Pickett has been a Jeep enthusiast for most of his life. He bought one at the end of 2009 but quickly realized that there was nowhere to buy parts for it in Chattanooga, Tennessee. So, in February 2010, he decided to walk away from a lucrative career in automotive manufacturing and build the foundation for Tom’s 4x4 Superstore—a Jeep and off-road parts supplier and installer that officially opened in June of that year.

If you think texting while driving is a distraction, imagine changing 45-rpm records while barreling down the highway.

“Wherever you go, listen to your favorite sounds by being your own disc jockey,” wrote Bud Lang in this Car Craft magazine how-to from 1963. “At the drags, beach, mountains or while just cruising around with the guys or your favorite chick, you can now play your own 45-rpm platters on an automatic reject record [ARC] changer that is designed for genuine driving pleasure.”

Once a year, SEMA provides members with a way to select the Board of Directors—the volunteers who help SEMA make decisions that will help your business and the industry to succeed. I want to thank the many members who participated in the nomination process; we have some very strong candidates again this year. And thanks in advance to all of you who will be first-time voters, as well as all our regular voters.

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