Back from SEMA in one piece

Posted by Jive-Bomber on November 11, 2014 and filed under: Event Coverage

I made the mistake of trying to do the entire SEMA show in just ONE day this year: From the Vegas Convention Center doors opening at 9 am to being literally kicked out well after 5 pm that same night. We are talking about 1.6 million square feet of exhibits, 2,ooo vendors & businesses, and 60,000 visitors dragging around piles of catalogs and swag. My ambitious one-day see-it-all plan was probably a mistake, and my aching feet paid the price, but I made it work. SEMA is quite an event to behold, and probably worth attending once in your life. It’s a great way to see where automotive trends are going, whats hot in accessories, and a chance to see some pretty wild rides. Hot Rods & Customs are very well represented at the show, and all the industry names your familiar with were in attendance- Edelbrock, Coker Tire, Moon Eyes, Bob Drake, Eastwood and so on. My only question at the end of the day was how much of this stuff *really* applies to the hardcore, 100% traditional hot rod guy? I would say more than you might initially think. Obviously there are many over-designed rods with doodads and digital fluffery, but these guys are in the business of selling new parts, so I get it. On the other hand, there are those one or two brand new reproduction speed parts for a Flathead or a early Hemi that you’ve been dying for. Maybe there’s a brand new ’32 or ’40 Ford steel body or replacement panel that just saved you a year of metalwork pain. SEMA has the gold, but you’ve got to get in the mine to dig it out. And don’t try to do it in a day…