Impressive Custom Fords At SEMA 2006 - SEMA Star Cars

Sometimes it seems a shame that the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas, Nevada isn't open to the public. As a trade show the SEMA event showcases newly introduced items that are often kept top secret until the last moment. Exhibitors don't want anyone to foul up the timing of an introduction or steal the thunder from their latest masterpiece. Hence the exhibits are strictly off limits to public scrutiny and security personnel at the Las Vegas Convention Center check identification at every juncture.

The truth is that the enormous halls are jammed to the doorways with new and exciting products for the entire automotive aftermarket industry. The manufacturers often need a vehicle to show off their wares and it's these cars that the public would certainly enjoy. There's also a lot of history on display at the SEMA show every year and vintage a Ford enthusiast could spend days surveying all of the beautiful exhibits. The vintage cars are growing in popularity more now than ever before and this is one reason why some manufacturers, Ford included, have new versions of classic models that harken back to the high performance days of yore.

SEMA is also a showcase for the newest and most radical custom cars around and these creative efforts were everywhere we turned at the week long gear head gathering. There was also an increased emphasis on high performance engines with Ford, Roush, World and others leading the way in the development of new technology. What's old is truly again new as reproduction Mustang bodies, killer FE engine combinations and enlarged versions of famous OE factory wheels abound. Come along with us for a stroll through the SEMA halls and we'll have a look at some of the best that the 2006 SEMA convention had to offer.

Here are some of the cars...        read full caption Here are some of the cars that Unique Performace brought to the SEMA show. Their reproduction Shelby cars have become quite the talk of the Mustang community. Here we see a blue G.T.350SR Fastback with a G.T.500E, both of which were made while working closely with Carroll Shelby himself.		This exquisite '68 Shelby...        read full caption This exquisite '68 Shelby GT500KR is one example of the vintage classic concept carried on to create a new version of the car. The new model of the Shelby is shown behind the original FE 428 powered car. Just as with the original the Shelby version of the new Mustang is more powerful and more expensive than a regular GT Mustang.
Speaking of Shelby Mustangs,...        read full caption Speaking of Shelby Mustangs, a perennial favorite is the Hertz GT350. The original rent a racer was first available in 1966. Most were the beautiful black and gold combination you see here but other color combinations were also available. Hertz Rent a Car and Shelby have teamed up once again to create a modern version of this timeless classic.	The Ford Mustang has had so...        read full caption The Ford Mustang has had so many successful incarnations that replicas and modern interpretations abound. Can you tell if this is Parnelli Jones' genuine 1970 Trans Am racer? The car behind it is an exact interpretation of the original color scheme on the modern Mustang platform and will be sold by Saleen.	We know for certain that this...        read full caption We know for certain that this '70 Mustang is a genuine Boss 302. The dedicated owner is a young lady who isn't afraid to drive the car and she keeps the Boss stock except for the Super Lite style wheels and Goodyear rubber and a few goodies under the hood.