10 things I learned at SEMA...

[Boyd]

This was my first year to attend SEMA, and it blew me away. Here's 10 things I learned (in no particular order).

1. No one can prepare you for the experience. It is simply mind-blowing. In a span of about 3 minutes I saw PHR’s Johnny H welding aluminum at Miller Welding’s booth, Ron Covell giving an English wheel demonstration, and Mini-Me ride by on his electric scooter with a few “Booth-Babes” in tow.

2. Boyd Coddington is as much of an ass in person as he is on his “rod-opera” TV show. He had about 10 people in line to get his autograph on Tuesday – later the same day, Foose had over a thousand.


3. If a bomb were to have dropped on the Convention Center, the world’s supply of Bentley’s would have been immediately depleted. The same can be said for First Gen Camaros, Mustang Fastbacks, and Honda Civics.

4. You will hear more languages spoken at SEMA than at a United Nations discussion on Global Warming. It is that huge.

5. It’s surprising how many of the people that attend the show really aren’t “car guys”. Overhaulin’ was rebuilding a 1953 Ford Sedan and while standing in their tent, I heard it called everything from a ’57 Chevy to a ’49 Buick to a ’48 Packard. And don’t get me started on what I overheard every time I stood near an engine display.


6. Some people take the SEMA Hot Wheels Giveaway WAY too serious. Both days that I was there I witnessed a fight break out in the line to get the freebie. No lie.

7. No matter how many times you walk the Convention Center floor, you will see hundreds of things you didn’t notice the first few pass throughs. It is sensory overload.

8. The combination and variety of Hot Chicks and Hot Cars was almost too much to handle. Asian chicks on American Iron, American chicks on Asian Iron (or carbon or aluminum?) and everything in between. SEMA Rocks!

9. There is no end in sight for the "Donk" brigade. They were everywhere. And just as you thought it couldn’t get anymore out of control…. I saw a 36” low profile tire in a Japanese tire manufacturer’s booth. There wasn’t a wheel in it, but I just know some idiot somewhere has a lathe going to cut a wheel to fit that tire.

10. The last thing I learned at SEMA? How much damn fun I’ve missed all these years by not attending. If you have the opportunity to go…I HIGHLY recommend it. Personally, I won’t miss another show as long as I can help it.

[TonyL]

It's something. A pilgrimage every car enthusiast should make. I'm kicking myself for not going this year. I won't miss out again next time.

[moreHP]

+1 This was my first year going and it is mind blowing how much stuff is there. Simply amazing how much money was setup in there!

[tb8125]

I saw all those thing you spoke about but I also learned one important lesson


The right shoe IS SO important my feet are killing me oouch!!!!!!

[THX 138]

:throw: next year. And one day a display :drool:

[LMDGUY]

this was was my 6th year in a row attending and it s always amazing

[trapin]

Good stuff, Boyd. That's the type of info I like to get. I'd like to make this some year too, but I know I won't be there next year either. I'm spending all my green on the car to get ready for Pigeon Forge. Maybe in '09 I'll go.

[KagA152]

i wish i wouldve gone, i can do with out all the donk stuff. looking forward to PRI this year

[novanutcase]

Did you see this?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/11/PICT0059-1.jpg

42" Wheels with plexiglass centers!:jawdrop:

John

[WEAVER]

If i had to pick one show to go to it would be sema,been going for about 15 years now and it gets bigger every year.Every thing automotive in one place.Major bonus it's in VEGAS

[steemin]

Boyd,
Good Post..
Thanks for rubbing it in:spank2:

I will get there someday..

Scott

[MarkM66]

First and last time for me. To many people. Don't really like fighting my way through foreign non car people to try to see something. I spent about 3 hours there total.

All the cars I want to see are also at GG Columbus, and even more that I'm interested in. JMO.

[Jim Nilsen]

Those wheels are not plexiglass, that is tranparent aluminum so to speak. If you were looking closely you could see that it is a bit cloudy and not perfectly clear as plexiglass. What all of those big wheels did get me to see is how it looks when you have smaller disc brakes that don't fill up the wheel. Soooo many cars had huge brakes that filled up the wheel that it makes me know that when I go bigger wheels the brakes have to be upgraded too.

[Bow Tie 67]

Those wheels are not plexiglass, that is tranparent aluminum so to speak.

Yeah, the same thing Captian Kirk used to save the whales.

Actually I looked it up and fiction has become reality. I cant wait till my car ideas do the same.

[novanutcase]

Those wheels are not plexiglass, that is tranparent aluminum so to speak. If you were looking closely you could see that it is a bit cloudy and not perfectly clear as plexiglass. What all of those big wheels did get me to see is how it looks when you have smaller disc brakes that don't fill up the wheel. Soooo many cars had huge brakes that filled up the wheel that it makes me know that when I go bigger wheels the brakes have to be upgraded too.

I think I'm going to have some of those "transparent aluminum" wheels made but I'll double side it and make the centers into a fish tank!

John

[Scatpack]

I think I'm going to have some of those "transparent aluminum" wheels made but I'll double side it and make the centers into a fish tank!

John

Yeah, and then you can have Ish make you up a custom yellow and black interior with a waterfall and espresso maker in the dash

[vintageracer]

The night life is also better in Columbus!

[Nine Ball]

5th year for me to attend. We will go to every SEMA since it is a good excuse to come to Vegas. Cars, chicks, Vegas....it IS sensory overload.

Good to see/meet several of you! I'm sitting in the Vegas airport right now (Sunday) waiting to go home :)

Its been a LONG week!

Tony

[trapin]

First and last time for me. To many people. Don't really like fighting my way through foreign non car people to try to see something.
Yep...I have a strange feeling I'm going to feel the same way about it that you do, Mark. I'm at the stage now where I'm just getting tired of car shows...and big crowds of people too. I can see how after a couple of hours it would get old real quick and I'd be looking to get the hell out of there. For me the real attraction would be just going to the Pro-Touring dinner and then hitting some boobie bars and some blackjack tables. I guess I can see how people involved in the industry would get so excited about it, but for me - a backyard hot rodder - I'd rather be clutching a steering wheel and leaning into an accelerator. I've been going to car shows snapping pictures for 7 years now while my car has been slowly getting built. I guess you can only look at other people's cars and car parts for so long before you've finally had enough.

[ssdeuce]

I was a SEMA virgin also and loved it. :jawdrop:

[GinoRin]

You guys are makin' me jealous. I went to sema in 2005 before I knew about this website and was awestruck. I was supposed to be there again this year but I tore my ACL about 5 weeks ago and had surgery Oct 16th. I'll see you guys next year for sure!

[monza]

My first SEMA and I agree 100% mind blowing....
If your a car guy it's a must see!!!

[victionone]

SEMA is definitely a must go for any serious car enthusiast. By the end of the event I always tell myself I'm not coming back next year because it is just too exhausting, but I always end up back. There is nothing better than Vegas and cars!

[syborg tt]

I learned it's very important to have your own hotel room as you may hear some sounds that you really don't want to hear at 4am

[96Z28SS]

Those wheels are not plexiglass, that is tranparent aluminum so to speak. If you were looking closely you could see that it is a bit cloudy and not perfectly clear as plexiglass. What all of those big wheels did get me to see is how it looks when you have smaller disc brakes that don't fill up the wheel. Soooo many cars had huge brakes that filled up the wheel that it makes me know that when I go bigger wheels the brakes have to be upgraded too.

Its not a transparent aluminum.
Its clear Polycarbonate which is a plastic.

[andrewb70]

First and last time for me. To many people. Don't really like fighting my way through foreign non car people to try to see something. I spent about 3 hours there total.

All the cars I want to see are also at GG Columbus, and even more that I'm interested in. JMO.

Since SEMA is not a car show I don't know what people expect. SEMA is a show where automotive aftermarket companies can show off their latest products and do business with new and existing resellers. Those "foregn non car" people help the companies do business.

Andrew

[J2speedandcustom]

I learned it's very important to have your own hotel room as you may hear some sounds that you really don't want to hear at 4am
LOL "slurp, slurp oh you like that? You want me to do that again for another $100."

I would of laughed so hard the whole floor would of woken up!!!

[MarkM66]

Since SEMA is not a car show I don't know what people expect. SEMA is a show where automotive aftermarket companies can show off their latest products and do business with new and existing resellers. Those "foregn non car" people help the companies do business.

Andrew

Yeah, I know what SEMA is for. It just wasn't for me. I'll stick with shows for cars, and the internet to look at parts.

I doubt many non english speaking people are buying hot rod parts.