Readly RF Feb 20

SEMA SHOW ‘19
SEMA SHOW ’19
WORDS: MIKE RYSIECKI PICS: MIKE RYSIECKI, FORD PERFORMANCE, SEMA SHOW, BRAND NEW MUSCLE CAR
As a member of international
judging panel for new products at
SEMA Show ’19, Mike Rysiecki had
a close up and personal view of
the latest automotive aftermarket
offerings from over 2400 exhibitors.
The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market
Association) Show held in Las Vegas every
November is a legendary event showcasing
everything that is louder, faster and shinier about
cars. The annual gathering is where 161,000 trade
and media attendees spend 4 days checking out
the latest products and ideas for modifying cars
and pickup trucks. It is one of the few events
where current and classic, modern and retro sit
comfortably together and complement each other to
stimulate this multibillion-dollar industry. In parallel,
the AAPEX Show, further down the boulevard at the
Sands Expo deals with the even larger, essential
repair and maintenance side of the business.
Products featured at SEMA Show include those
designed to enhance the performance, styling,
functionality, comfort, convenience and safety of
cars and light trucks.
For Ford fans the fare is fulsome as the
performance aftermarket division of FoMoCo take
this event very seriously, inviting independent
vendors to build one-off show specials, as well as
displaying their own proprietary Ford Performance
products. 2019’s show was an event of extremes
with retro and future-tech taking equal but opposite
billing, alongside current model offerings. For lovers
of classic and retro there were ‘Original Venice
Crew’ recreations of the pioneering Mustang GT350,
new Eleanor body shells build off period correct VIN
donors and the reappearance of the Ford Bronco in
anticipation of a 2020 relaunch. Ford Performance
had gathered together ‘Bronco Alley’ to highlight the
competition heritage of this tough off-roader before
entering a new-build Bronco R in the 2019 Baja
500. To top off the Bronco revival Ford Performance
unveiled a restomod build of Jay Leno’s 1968
Bronco wagon. Built on a Kincer Adventure Series
coil-over chassis with Fox 2.0 factory race series
coil-over shocks, its supercharged Mustang GT500
V8 5.2 litre engine is coupled to a Tremec TR-4050
5-speed Silver Sport transmission and heavy-duty
4WD drivetrain.
Current model sports, SUV and pickup models
were presented on the central Ford stand in
modified forms by California Pony Cars - Ford
Mustang GT Fastback, Goodguys Rod & Custom
Association - 2.3 Ecoboost Ford Mustang
Convertible and 3 F-150 fully accessorised offroaders.
Escape, Explorer and Expedition examples
were also displayed each with a full complement of
in-house and independent aftermarket treatments.
Ford Rangers made their way to the 2019 SEMA
show with a wide range of personalised guises.
No surprise that the 2019 Ford Performance Parts
Ford Ranger in the new overlanding section was
chock-full of goodies designed to get adventurers
deep into the great outdoors. Highlights included
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