The SEMA Show – arguably the greatest car show on earth. This is the ultimate hub for the latest and greatest ideas in the automotive industry. Some of the world’s best car builders pull out all the stops to stand out from the crowd, hoping to be recognised as the very best.

After two full days, I’ve managed to cover about half of the show, but I wanted to share a few standouts and personal favourites I’ve seen so far! I should clarify that I’m not a judge by any means, and these aren’t necessarily the best cars of the show. They’re simply the ones that have caught my eye for one reason or another, as I’ll explain below.

1968 Dodge Charger R/T by Classic Car Studio

This was one of the first cars to greet me as I entered the Central Hall, and it was an instant standout. Built by the team at Classic Car Studio in St Louis for Ed Ganziotti, it packs a 440ci V8 built by legendary drag racer Dick Landy and sits on a Roadster Shop chassis. Its overall styling, stance, and simplicity really captured my attention.

1969 ‘Bankroll’ Camaro by Weaver Customs

This tastefully built restomod by Weaver Customs in Utah was a delightful surprise. The
more I looked, the more unique details I noticed, all complementing the car’s look without overpowering it.

From the centre-exit exhaust integrated into the rear tail-light fascia to the custom fender and bonnet vents, every detail worked together beautifully. Even the understated colour combo was spot on.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle widebody by Blazin Rodz

This build, called ‘Doughboy’, comes from Blazin Rodz out of Orange County, California. The Chevelle merges the brute power of a drag car, boasting nearly 3000hp, with the wild styling of a GT Cup car.

It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but in person, it demands your attention. The custom fabrication work is fantastic, and I couldn’t look away. I can’t wait to see some footage of it tearing up the track!

1987 Buick Grand National GNX by Dutchboys Hot Rods

G-bodies are so hot right now, and this GNX is my favourite so far! All of the cheap ‘80s
plastic has been replaced with metal, giving it a strong, unique look. With beefed-up wheel arches and custom details neatly integrated, it’s rocking a 1400hp twin-turbo 427ci LS7. Don’t be surprised if you see more G-body builds like this in the coming years!

1965 Ford Mustang fastback by Count’s Kustoms

This one was an accidental find late on day two – its candy red paint first caught my eye,
and then I was drawn in by the detail in the paintwork. The multi-layered shadowing has a low-rider flair that’s subtle yet stunning. Hopefully, the photos do it justice, but seeing it in person was a real jaw-dropper. This Mustang’s paintwork alone made it one of my top picks of SEMA 2024.

1981 Ferrari-Powered DeLorean

Anyone who knows me will understand why this one is among my favourites – it ticks all my boxes! This 1981 DeLorean DMC-12, owned by Anderson Dick of FuelTech, features a 4.3L V8 from a 2012 Ferrari California (not quite running yet), expected to push around 450 hp. The V8 is paired with a Porsche 997 Tiptronic six-speed transaxle, and it’s rolling on custom-forged, upsized 16/17in OE turbine-style wheels, KW Coil over Suspension and a heap of other suspension upgrades that will be sure to make this car handle as good as it looks.

1971 Plymouth Duster by BBT Fabrications

Jordan Costello’s Plymouth OE+ Style Duster was a true standout. After spending a bit too long admiring it, Jordan came over and offered to share some more information about it. BBT Fabrications shoe-horned a supercharged Hemi Hellcat into a custom engine bay, delivering over 600hp to the rear wheels. While everything looks original, almost every component has been rebuilt for a timeless look that still respects the Duster’s roots.

1971 Plymouth ’Cuda ‘Barbarric’ by Salvaggio Auto Design

This 1000hp Hellephant-powered ’Cuda was the hero of the MagnaFlow stand. Its styling is refreshingly understated, allowing the elegant lines of the ’Cuda to shine in a subdued light metallic blue with a rich, coffee-coloured interior to complete the look.

1969 Camaro ‘Commando’ by RMS Customs & Fabrication

Garrett Randall’s 1969 Camaro was one of the most impressive builds that seemed to be leading the pack in terms of emerging design trends. This military-inspired build is loaded with carbon fibre accents, hand-crafted parts, and elite execution all round. You’ll definitely be seeing more builds like this in the years ahead.

1966 Chevrolet Chevelle ‘Phoenix’ by American Legends

The Phoenix Chevelle’s striking colour is what first caught my attention, but it’s also loaded with one-off details like shaved drip rails, custom bumpers, a laser-cut aluminium grille, and unique 3D-printed hood vents and rear tail lights. Under the bonnet is an LSX376 engine paired with a twin-turbo setup.

So there you have it – just a few of the cars that have caught my eye at SEMA 2024 so far! With a few more days to go, I’m sure there’ll be even more that make the favourites list. Stay tuned for what’s to come!