What It is Like to Attend the Insane, Amazing, and Closed-to-the-Public SEMA Show in 35 Images

The annual SEMA show in Las Vegas is technically an automotive trade occasion but has evolved into a no-holds-barred display of tuning and customization genius. There are usually hundreds of lifted trucks, slammed imports, and engine-swapped muscle automobiles. But there is far far more to the show than that—the parties, the celebrities, the high-octane demos, the excess of it all. (And the Rascal scooters. Seriously, we saw a guy from Road & Track on one.) However, SEMA is not open to the public, but that does not imply you can’;t experience what it’;s like to attend the craziest show on the automotive calendar. Appreciate!

Magnus Walker’;s Iconic Porsche 911 “277″

Stumbling across Magnus Walker’;s well-known 911 “277″ is a normal-ish occurrence for a show like SEMA.

Magnus Walker’;s Next Iconic Porsche 911

Stumbling across a project in progress, in this case, Magnus Walker’;s next 911 build, is a bit less ordinary.

Magnus Walker

Meeting Magnus Walker and talking shop about his next build? Okay, there’;s no way we can play it cool—we nerded out difficult-core.

Boxed Bride and Wedding Celebration

If we could encapsulate SEMA into a metaphorical box, then make that box actual, this is what it would look like. Oh, Claus.

Occasionally You Run Into Richard Petty

We’;re fundamentally ideal friends with the King now. Hey! Richard! Wanna hit up Red Lobster?! Our treat!

Original Batmobile, Any individual?

It really is telling that, at SEMA, the original Batmobile decorates the lobby.

Original Batmobile, Any person?

Holy Toledo, Batman! You have been relegated to the auto show’;s entrance!

Rad Rod Pickup

There are dozens of choice rat rods at SEMA every year, but this one particular stood out, thanks largely to its frequently exercised—and automatic—slammed air-bag suspension.

Rad Rod Pickup

Seemingly at random, the truck would lift up on its air springs with a hiss—before lowering itself without having warning. A handful of bystanders barely escaped.

Rad Rod Pickup

2 rat bikes are the ideal rat accessories for a rat truck.

Rum-Operating Classic Chevrolet Wagon

When approached from the front, this matte-yellow Chevy wagon wowed us with its SEMA-best beach cruiser vibe.

Rum-Operating Classic Chevrolet Wagon

. . . until we walked about the the rear, where we discovered sufficient rum to kick off a correct beach party.

Rum-Operating Classic Chevrolet Wagon

For the record: No, we did not take shots. But we wanted to.

And Finally, the Parties

The greatest portion of SEMA is that it’;s all a single big convention for the different industries that cross paths there—and that means there are a LOT of parties. Like this one particular we attended for the Gran Turismo Awards, in which Sony-selected judges pick their preferred rides from the show.

Sony Gran Turismo Awards party, continued

The Sony Gran Turismo celebration was hosted at Vegas’; newest club, Drai (never ask us how to pronounce that), and featured a number of PlayStation, er, stations exactly where you could play Gran Turismo.

Ford-Powered Superformance Cobras Drifting

If you waited in a lengthy adequate line, Ford would sit you in the passenger seat of a Superformance Cobra replica and let a driver slide it all over the parking lot.

Ford-Powered Superformance Cobras Drifting

With those walls so near, this seems mildly risky, no?

Ford-Powered Superformance Cobras Drifting

Oh look! A blue one!

Airbrushed Goddess

In your ideal Ron Burgundy voice, say it with us now: “Sweet Neptune’;s daughter!”

Hot Wheels Twin Mill

Almost every kid’;s Hot Wheels collection ever has incorporated a Twin Mill, so predictably, this full-size example was mighty popular.

Hot Wheels Twin Mill

Just appear at those proportions! They perform even far better in 1:1 scale.

Hot Wheels Darth Vader Car

Is it just us, or does the Darth Vader car look out of place outdoors in the Las Vegas sun? Wants a lot more Death Star.

Stadium Trucks!

Ford’;s outside exhibition gifted us with a stadium-truck jumping and drifting session early on the second day of SEMA.

Stadium Trucks!

. . . and liftoff!

Stadium Trucks!

Stadium Trucks!

Mini Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

This is a golf cart, created to appear like a Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. Ask us how badly we want it. Go ahead, ask.

Bedazzle All of the Factors

Sparkly engine leading ends, sparkly model bottom finish.

Basic Motors Ride and Drive

Comparable to Ford’;s “Out Front” parking-lot demo arena, showgoers can take (slow) spins in GM’;s latest and greatest.

Basic Motors Ride and Drive

A lengthy exposure and pan makes this Camaro appear fast. In reality, it was governed to 11 mph. Or the driver was governed to 11 mph. Either way.

Common Motors Ride and Drive

GM’;s outside playground also permits SEMA attendees go for rides with Ron Fellows driving college instructors, who drive much, a lot faster than 11 mph.

Purple on Purple on Purple

Handful of factors at SEMA are subtle, so why do up a low-slung beach buggy in anything but layers and layers of purple?

Velocity Wheels Custom Ram 1500

A hood mural depicting actress Megan Fox as the Mona Lisa holding a mustachioed Mona Lisa mask? Verify.

Liberty Walk—for Children

There had been Liberty Walk–fettled rides all more than SEMA this year, but this stanced children’;s ride-on toy may just have been our favorite.

Honda Soireé with Dash Berlin

We also discovered time to crash Honda’;s “Soireé” at the Tao nightclub. And now, if you do not thoughts, we’;re going to sleep for a week straight, simply because if there is 1 takeaway from our synopsis of what it really is like to attend SEMA, it really is that this show totally wrecks you—in an awesomely good way.

What It is Like to Attend the Insane, Amazing, and Closed-to-the-Public SEMA Show in 35 Images