Ford's always-impressive SEMA...
Ford's always-impressive SEMA display incorporated plenty of Mustangs, including nearly a dozen '11 Mustangs that showcased performance and personalization by aftermarket companies. This "Pony Girl" convertible was built by Creations n' Chrome to raise awareness for breast cancer.
What a difference a year can make. In 2009, the SEMA Show was reeling, along with everyone else, during difficult economic times. The usual people grid-lock in the aisles was totally missing, allowing plenty of room for Las Vegas Convention Center workers to fork-lift in hundreds of tables and chairs to fill the empty spaces where paying displays had been in previous years. However, the 2010 SEMA Show, held last November, gave everyone reason for optimism as mobs of attendees created more typical traffic jams in the aisles. And you had to search for an empty chair to rest your weary back and feet.
Post-event, SEMA reported an "overwhelmingly positive vibe" with over 100,000 industry professionals converging on Las Vegas for the 2010 SEMA Show. As always, many of them were there to check out the new aftermarket performance parts for Mustangs. Although new Camaros outnumbered Mustangs for the first time in decades, there were plenty of Mustangs to be found in booths and scattered around the Convention Center nooks and crannies. We roamed the packed Convention Center in search of cool Mustangs and the latest Mustang parts for both old and new.
Dynacorn's '69 Mustang fastback...
Dynacorn's '69 Mustang fastback replacement body shell, as licensed by Ford, was front and center in the Ford booth at the SEMA Show. It was displayed on a stanchion with Henry Ford's quote, "When I'm through, everybody will be able to afford one, and about everybody will have one."
Seems like every year at SEMA,...
Seems like every year at SEMA, Jim and Mike Ring raise the bar on Mustang restomods. Their latest '66 Mustang fastback wowed visitors at the Flowmaster booth. Built during tough economic times, the Ring Brothers' "Bail-Out" Mustang is painted "Stimulus Blue." It features a carbon-fiber roof and power by a 602 cubic-inch Keith Craft engine.
Bob Tasca III, driver of the...
Bob Tasca III, driver of the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang Shelby Funny Car, was all smiles while signing autographs at the NHRA display.
This mild-mannered Grabber...
This mild-mannered Grabber Blue Mustang GT belies its appearance because under the hood is Magnuson Product's new Magnacharger supercharger for the '11 Mustang's 5.0-liter engine.
Long-time supercharger guru...
Long-time supercharger guru Bob Roese and new Business Development Director Michael Hewitt manned the Magnuson booth to tell attendees about the system, which features a unique pulley setup.
It's always good to see Scott...
It's always good to see Scott Drake at SEMA. The Scott Drake Reproductions booth was packed with plenty of new products for vintage Mustangs, including a shorter turn signal stalk for cars with smaller aftermarket steering wheels, concours '65-'66 kick panels, and reproduction Boss 302 oil pan and oil pickup. Drake has also expanded into parts for new Mustangs.
Galpin Auto Sports plans to...
Galpin Auto Sports plans to offer a retractable hardtop Mustang, as showcased in their outdoor SEMA display.
GAS showed off this '11 prototype...
GAS showed off this '11 prototype with PPG custom Orange Pearl paint. Plans are to build these cars at their southern California facility.
Walking from the South Hall...
Walking from the South Hall to the North Hall, it was hard to miss Craig Heidenthal's '64 1/2 Mustang convertible.
Although it looks close to...
Although it looks close to stock in its original Pagoda Green paint, the Mustang is powered by a Ford Racing M-6007-X302 small-block with a Magnuson Products' Eaton supercharger on a B&H Superchargers' manifold with integrated liquid to air intercooler. The engine dyno'ed at 440 hp with seven pounds of boost.
Dynacorn already offers Ford...
Dynacorn already offers Ford licensed '67-'68 and '69 Mustang fastback replacement body shells, so we knew it was only a matter of time before they reproduced the '65-'66 Mustang convertible. Dynacorn's Larry Brogdin was hoping for Ford Licensing approval during or shortly after the SEMA Show.
Well known for its aftermarket...
Well known for its aftermarket sound systems for vintage Mustangs, Custom Autosound has entered the Fox-body market with the new USA4-DIN stereo for '84 and later Mustangs with the DIN opening. Loaded with features like MP3 compatibility, RCA pre-outs for speakers, and multi-color display that shows artist and song, the unit has a detachable or flip-down face that reveals the CD slot. You can find more information at
www.casmfg.com.
Every SEMA Show features a...
Every SEMA Show features a vehicle that has everyone talking, "Did you see that car?" At the 2010 SEMA Show, everyone was talking about Tom Fry's '69 Mustang fastback in the Magnaflow booth.
Built by Buddy Shroud from...
Built by Buddy Shroud from BS Industries, the down-low Mustang is powered by a rare 494 cubic-inch Boss 429. A former hydroplane racer, Fry bought three of the engines from Holman-Moody in 1975.
A display of hot Mustangs...
A display of hot Mustangs in the Convention Center lobby included this '94 Mustang GT that was used as the original prototype for the Roush Mustangs. It featured the first Roush sidepipes along with a cowl-induction hood and intake that never went into full production.
If you want to win this "Boss...
If you want to win this "Boss Snake" '70 Shelby replica, you'll have to join Goodguys or participate in one the Goodguys events in 2011. Powered by a Jon Kaase Boss 429, the Mustang is the Grand Prize in Goodguys' 2010 Giveaway. Visit
www.good-guys.com for more information.
One of the featured Mustangs...
One of the featured Mustangs in the Ford display was MRT's Predator, built from an '11 GT. Scott Hoag gave us the rundown: Black Cherry Ghost paint, new Sean Hyland twin-screw supercharger, MRT stainless steel exhaust with Max-Flow H-pipe, TMI custom interior, and new MRT tilting headrests. Visit
www.shopmrt.com to see more about the Predator.
Wheel Vintiques had a great...
Wheel Vintiques had a great display of their available vintage Mustang wheels, including Styled Steel, Magnum 500, and '68-'69 GT.
A special area in the Ford...
A special area in the Ford booth was reserved for the introduction of the '12 Boss 302.
Boss on Display
As expected, Ford used the SEMA Show to showcase the upcoming '12 Boss 302. All the new Boss models were on display, including the standard production, a Laguna Seca, and a Boss 302R.
With a video of Edsel Ford...
With a video of Edsel Ford Jr. introducing the '12 Boss 302 in the background, SEMA attendees were able to get up close and personal with a cut-away version of the new 5.0-liter Boss engine.
There was a Calypso Coral...
There was a Calypso Coral '69 model on display to represent the original Boss 302. This particular car will be given away, along with a '12 Boss 302, as part of the Mustang Dream Giveaway, with the winner to be announced at the Boss Reunion in Dearborn in August. Visit www.winthemustangs.com for more information.
Even former '70 Trans-Am champion...
Even former '70 Trans-Am champion Parnelli Jones (left) made an appearance to sign autographs and pose for photos in the Ford booth.