4 Cars I Would Drive Straight out of SEMA
Every year, manufacturers and retailers alike flock to Las Vegas for the SEMA auto show, one of the most radical and unique auto shows in the United States. There are cars here that might as well come from your wildest dreams — or nightmares. Maybe both.
There are low-riders so low they scrape the pavement. There are also hill crawlers, concept cars, vintage cars and cars that probably wouldn’t fit in anywhere else. When a visitor leaves the SEMA auto show, their vehicular mind is no doubt changed for the rest of their life.
While the show is chock full of amazing designs and displays, some might leave you wondering, “Would I actually drive that? What’s the use in having a Kia Forte mud bogger or a Kid Rock Chevy pickup? Where are the real cars?”
If that’s something you would say, and you’re nodding your head furiously in agreement, then take a look at this list. I found four amazing cars at SEMA that I would drive right from their displays. Let’s begin the tour:
CJ Pony Parts Modified Focus ST
You have to hand it to the crew at CJ Pony Parts — they really worked hard on this one! They stripped down and completely rebuilt a Focus ST, which was personally awarded to them from Ford.
With a handpicked list of parts, they made every measurable aspect of the Focus ST better than ever. This included a COBB Tuning Stage 3 Performance Pack, a digital air suspension kit, a custom front splitter made by CJ Pony Parts themselves and a stellar “Ultra Orange” paint job by GCR Auto. I absolutely love the color and the wheels too.
Mazda Miata Spyder
You’ve seen those Mazda Miata commercials on TV — the guy who sold his Miata after his early 20s, exchanging it for every family car in the book, and then returning back to his original true love. If there’s one way to bring that feeling rushing right back, it’s taking a look at the Miata Spyder concept.
The retro vibes are all over this car, from the canvas retractable top to the leather interior. Add a grille and body toneau cover, a carbon fiber aero kit, a stunning “Mercury Silver” paint job and 17-inch Yokohama ADVAN Racing RS II wheels, and you’ve got yourself a mouthwatering machine ready to woo all of the neighborhood folks.
Kia Optima Convertible
This car is begging you to let the wind flow through your hair, even if you don’t have any hair. It looks like it came straight out of a travel brochure. It’s even named A1A, after the Florida beach highway.
The car is eye-popping, from the set of 20-inch chrome wheels, Ksport coilovers, performance exhaust, cream-colored leather upholstery and a flashy “Robin’s egg blue” paint job. A 2.0L turbo four cylinder powers the car to 245 hp.
And if you didn’t think things could get any cheesier, it has suicide doors. Yup.
Ludacris’ Restored 1993 Acura Legend
It’s not the most flashy luxury sedan ever, but if it’s enough to be Ludacris’ pride and joy, it works for me, too. This one just screams daily driver, especially after its beautiful restoration by Acura themselves.
The Legend’s upgrades include 18-inch Ray wheels surrounded by Bridgestone Potenza tires, an “Ice Pearl” paint job, an Eibach camber kit, a custom sound system and six-piston brake calipers.
Plus, after gracing the cover of Ludacris’ newest album, Ludaversal, it has the superstar status it deserves.
What were some of your favorites from SEMA 2015?
