Thousands of aftermarket manufacturers converged on the Las Vegas Convention Center for the 39th Annual SEMA Show. It's the crown jewel for the aftermarket industry leaders to showcase their latest custom automotive wares. The show is attended by manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and perceptive buyers... and oh yeah, the media.
The show is a gathering place for more than 2,000 exhibiting companies-from the international automobile and truck OEMs, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Scion to numerous custom wheel/tire manufacturers, original equipment re-manufacturers, and various companies representing mobile electronics, car care, engine performance, suspension, restoration, restyling, body/paint, tools/equipment, trucks, SUVs and off-road gear. Inside the massive 2-million square foot halls were some of the wildest custom cars and trucks, many unveiled for the first time at SEMA. These vehicles were displayed in sponsor booths along with their products. Besides the indoor exhibits, there was also an outdoor show 'n' shine, rock crawling, and drifting exhibitions. Barry Meguiar taped his Car Crazy show, interviewing automotive celebrities. Chip Foose filmed a segment of his TV show, Over Haulin', where he and his crew of volunteers performed a complete frame-off resurrection of a '66 Dodge Charger. Suspension, engine, transmission, rear end, interior, audio, visual, body work, paint, and detailing all during the SEMA Show timeframe.
Primedia flexed its muscle, with our massive booth space featuring a two-story structure complete with conference rooms and observation deck above to entertain guests with catered food and beverage. Every square foot surrounding the Primedia "Tower of Power" was covered with Primedia publication-featured custom vehicles. Also included was a temporary open studio where Hot Rod TV segments were being taped. The Truckin' editorial staff was in attendance during SEMA week. Our goals and objectives were to visit with our advertisers, getting firsthand exposure and information of their new products, and arrange tech articles showcasing their products for the upcoming year of '06. I also saw the show through the lens of my digital camera, as we retrieved hundreds of digital images of the show during and after-hours to share with our readers. Our third goal was to recruit high-quality custom trucks to photograph for our feature files. We did accomplish all three goals, including 18 features and four covers.
After the SEMA Show concludes on Friday evening, the exhibits began to be broken down and packed away. The owners of the tagged feature trucks were invited to Truckin' magazine's traditional SEMA Show sunrise feature photo shoot. The feature trucks were to meet the staff editors Dan Ward, Harley Camilleri, and me at 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning in front of the Hilton Hotel. After all the trucks were accounted for, we then caravan to a couple of disclosed photo shoot sights. After arriving at the sight, the trucks are unloaded if trailered, detailed, and then pre-staged, with the first trucks to be photographed put into position. As the early pre-dawn sun begins to crack the horizon, the shooting frenzy begins. Photographing the trucks from every angle imaginable-front, rear, interior, engine, and details. The shoot took most of the morning. We had a good year, capturing 14 feature trucks on digital. At the conclusion of the shoot, all the tech sheets are handed out, the trucks are loaded up, the camera is gear packed away, and its time for breakfast. Senior editor Dan Ward suggested a local eatery, The Black Bear Diner. Let me tell you, they served up an outrageous meal. Following breakfast it was time to break for home.Until Next Year! Remember: "Old Guys Rule."