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Words by Matt Willis

There’s no question there is a TON to see at the SEMA Show. Without a strategic plan and a lot of time, it can be easy to miss the best parts. Given we were only at the show for about a day and a half, time was limited, but we were still able to find the gems that stood out from the rest.

The Toyo Tires Treadpass is a section that is almost always worth visiting. Since 2013, this sort of modern outdoor convention hall consistently showcases a top-notch selection of vehicles. This year, the main feature seemed to be this beautifully configured BMW E9…

This car really has an early GT-era feel with the wheels and extra-wide body. The subdued paint color makes it a little more refined.

Little details like this really set this car off as a design piece.

The unique seats and dash were a nice touch too.

Wide enough?

The awaited Rywire S2000. This car kind of takes from the palette of the former E-AT Civic build.

I’ve never been a fan of the Mugen kit for the S2000, until I really looked it over on this car.

From the ITB setup, to the titanium bits, to the dimple-die accents – it really is a thing of beauty.

Lovely red Z with some extra power to boot…

Gorgeous welds!

You don’t see a lot of RX-8s anymore. I can’t say this one made me fall for them again, but it was a friendly reminder of the rotary quad-coupe.

This setup was by far the coolest display piece of the show.

Tim and I both loved these wheels.

Out in the same area, we found this lovely EG with a reworked chassis, K-swap and everything in-between.

LS-equipped sleeper rabbit. Welcome to SEMA folks.

Lovely headers…

Perhaps on of my personal favorites was this Porsche 993 from Gunther Werks, dubbed the ‘400R’, at the Meguiar’s booth.

The 993 was never in my taste, even though most will argue they all are the same design or they are all ugly. But this rework made me think again.

Even the engine is beautiful.

Crazy drift spec FC at the Eneos booth…

…and a crazy Supra over at Torco…

Ford had their then-and-now GTs on display…

I think one of the coolest designs we saw was this stainless futuristic bike concept.

Kia was showing off their new performance sedan, the “Stinger”, at the show.

I had to look twice at this all carbon-fiber R33.

When I say all carbon…

…it is ALL carbon.

Cool pickup built around a radial airplane engine…

And a little support vehicle to go with it!

You couldn’t miss Grave Digger on the show floor…

The uncommon AMC Javelin done up nicely by Ringbrothers.

This FD RX-7 was probably the most, well, “all-out” car at the show in terms of a start-to-finish effort.

No clear boundaries with performance or styling, but it’s still pleasant to look at.

Not short on power, either.

I loved this little control/gauge box. And the more toggle switches, the better.

Back outside, we came across the Hennessey Venom F5.

Nice Falcon from Flat 12 Gallery.

Ford/Ken Block Escort RS Cosworth…

VIP Rolls from R1 Concepts…

Out back, we checked out what was going on at the Optima booth.

This ’88 Chrysler Conquest was awesome. All unique styling elements, and not to mention it’s nearly been rebuilt from scratch.

LS3 swap never hurts…

This car had a cool theme…

A WWII aircraft, with gauges and all…

Ending this post with my absolute favorite build of the show, Phil Robles’ Honda Civic.

I’ve admired this car for years now, ever since I first saw it at the track. And it continues to be a major inspiration.

Phil’s EG was the winner of the 2017 SEMA Sony GT Award.

Couldn’t think of a better or more deserving car and owner!

That wraps up our journey through the 2017 SEMA Show. Hope you enjoyed it!