THREE THINGS WERE OBVIOUS during last November's SEMA Show in Las Vegas. First, there was no way to miss the curtain barriers and hastily set-up gangs of tables and chairs that tried to hide the wide-open spaces in the Las Vegas Convention Center. We may be slowly recovering from a recession, but it was painfully obvious that many automotive aftermarket companies don't feel healthy enough to invest in a tradeshow display. Three years ago, the SEMA Show was bursting at the Convention Center seams, with displays spilling out into parking lot tents. Not so this year.
Second, new Camaros were everywhere. For at least the past ten years, Mustangs have dominated the SEMA Show, with mild to wild versions attracting attention in booths and as stand-alone feature cars in the indoor and outdoor display areas. That domination was "challenged" last year with the introduction of Dodge's new Challenger, which was joined at the 2009 show by a swarm of new Camaros in various states of aftermarket dress. As the guys at Ford Racing say, "Bring 'em on!"
Front and center in the Ford...
Front and center in the Ford Motor Company booth was an active buildup of a '69 Mustang fastback. Starting with already prepped components, including a brightly painted Dynacorn '69 Mustang fastback body shell and a Ford Racing engine, a crew from Galpin Auto Sports assembled the Mustang over a three-day period.
And third, Ford Motor Company made a loud and clear statement with its large and exciting display at the top level of the main convention hall floor. While the GM and Chrysler displays were very static and quiet in comparison, the Ford booth, bathed in blue light, featured a huge screen with recorded videos interspersed with live hosts who showcased the various display vehicles and interviewed celebrities and attendees, both inside and outside the convention center. In the middle of all the Mustangs, wild trucks, turbocharged Fusions, and politically-correct hybrid technology, a Dynacorn '69 Mustang fastback body was built into an outlandishly green restomod, thanks to the efforts of companies involved with Ford's licensing division. Ford didn't take the bailout, and they flaunted it to everyone with their SEMA display.
In the Restoration/Hot Rod area, we visited with a number of companies that offer vintage Mustang parts, including Scott Drake Reproductions, Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation, ididit, Mustang Project, Dynacorn, Baer Brakes, Specialty Wheel, and Total Control Products. As usual, while roaming the aisles we ran into friends from the Mustang parts industry, like Ron Bramlett and Bill Faull from Mustangs Plus; Rick Schmidt and Scott Halseth from National Parts Depot; Jason Childress, Lonnie Childress, and Brian Baker from Gateway Classic Mustang; and Creed Stammel from CJ Pony Parts.
TMI Products introduced several...
TMI Products introduced several new Mustang products at SEMA, including two-tone deluxe door panels for '65-'66 Mustangs. They're available in a variety of color combinations from Mustang vendors who carry TMI's interior products.
On Tuesday evening, Shelby Automobiles hosted a press conference at Las Vegas Speedway to introduce a new post-title Shelby Turbo Mustang and F150 Super Snake pickup. Although 86-year-old Carroll Shelby was under doctor's orders to stay away from the SEMA Show crowds due to the flu epidemic, he didn't miss the revealing of his two newest vehicles and spent the evening greeting and welcoming everyone.
Finally, there was good news on the economic front. Despite the contraction in displays, the aisles were packed with attendees. Most of the displaying companies we talked with reported brisk business activity and a promise of better things to come in 2010.
 Specialty Wheel showcased...  Specialty Wheel showcased its reproduction wheels for vintage Mustangs, including the five-spoke Cragars as used on '65 Shelby GT350s and the styled steel wheel for '68-'69 Mustang GTs. The styled steel wheel is also available with a plain hubcap for '69 Mach 1s. |  You never know what you'll...  You never know what you'll stumble into while roaming the SEMA aisles. In the booth for Thunder Road, a company that builds molded A.B.S. instrument panels, we found this new panel for '65-'66 Mustangs. It's a good-looking yet inexpensive alternative to billet aluminum panels. |  Interestingly, TMI's Dean...  Interestingly, TMI's Dean Satterfield told us that the Fox-body Mustang is the fastest growing segment for their interior components. As a result, TMI has developed a number of new Fox-body parts, including sun visors and the four different mounts. |
 Scott Drake unveiled the Pay...  Scott Drake unveiled the Pay It Forward Mustang at the Scott Drake Reproductions booth. The East Texas Mustang Club crew who restored the car for charity made the trip west for the special presentation. They're pictured in red T-shirts along with Mustang Club of America's Mary Jean Wesche and Scott Drake. The car was featured in the November 2009 issue of Mustang Monthly. |  There were plenty of Mustang...  There were plenty of Mustang brake products in the Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation booth but president Michael Jonas was like a proud papa when showing off SSBC's new Tmax thermostat for automatic transmissions. The thermostat, which installs in-line between the transmission and the transmission cooler, allows the transmission to operate at a warmer temperature for better performance and fuel-mileage. According to Jonas, transmission fluid works best at 190 degrees, but most transmissions operate at 130-145 degrees. |  You couldn't miss the Mustang...  You couldn't miss the Mustang Project display with its array of flashing Mustang sequential LED taillights. |