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SEMA Show 2011

Dukes of Hazard style. And it's for sale!

SEMA 2011: American muscle cars

SEMA will never abandon its bread and butter: modified American muscle cars. This year was no different with a wide variety of cars and styles to suit every taste. As far as trends go, we noticed not every car is slammed on too-big rims. 'Bout time. Remember: just because it's a resto mod, doesn't mean it needs cartoon wheels. (All photos by Jeremy Alan Glover of JAG Imaging.)

SEMA 2011: Toyota - Camry pacecar, and pickups

Honestly, it was a pretty tame showing from Toyota this year. The highlight was the Camry pacecar. We guarentee it's the only new Camry with a "Fire!" toggle switch on the dash.

Rauh-Welt Porsche debuts in North America...

SEMA 2011: Best and brightest

The coolest stuff at SEMA this year was hidden away in the nooks and crannies of the show. But, that gives us hope. There are new, smaller players getting in on this tuning/custom/modifying/hot rodding game who are doing cooler and more interesting stuff than the old guard. Understated is coming back. Sleepers are coming back. And, gaudy bling-mobiles are finally on their way out.

SEMA 2011: Weird and wonderful

Pretty much everything at the SEMA tuner show could fall into either the Weird or Wonderful category. But, we had to narrow it down. Here are the people, cars and strange ideas that stood out above and beyond the crowd this year:

SEMA 2011: Retro MOPAR - HEMI Cuda, Coronet, Challenger

These three retro muscle cars were certainly among the coolest cars on the MOPAR stand. We have a '71 HEMI Cuda convertible, a 1969 Dodge Coronet 440, and a 1970 Dodge Challenger Convertible.

Introducing the new MOPAR/Jegs Dodge Avenger drag racing team.

SEMA 2011: Chrysler - Jeeps, dragsters, Challenger SRT8 ACR

Chrysler was packing some sweet Jeeps this year at SEMA, including the awesome Blue Crush. The hardcore Challenger SRT8 ACR was on display, as well as a pair of brand-new dragsters.

SEMA 2011: Dodge Charger Police Pursuit

Dodge was showing off its mean Charger Pursuit package. Remember this shape, and watch out for it in your rearview.

Car culture goes hand in hand with tattos. She asked if she could pose like this, with her gun pointing at her head.

SEMA 2011: Booth professionals

SEMA is known as the wildest auto show of the year, although it has become more tame in recent times.

Ken Block doing his Gymkhana thing in the Ford Fiesta.

SEMA 2011 - live action drift demo with Ken Block

When the scream of tortured tires interrupted our stroll through the show cars at SEMA, we knew we had to see what was going on. Profesional drivers, including Ken Block, were putting their skills to the test and entertaining fans with all sorts of smokey stunts. (All photos by the excellent Jeremy Alan Glover of JAG imagining).

1967 VW Patina Beetle by Mid America Motorworks.

SEMA 2011 - 1967 Patina Volkswagen Beetle

The patina on this vintage Volkswagen Beetle looks like it was earned over decades of road trips. The car seems honest, real, relaxed - and, ultimately, just cool. We'd love to see more of these at the show and on the road next year. To the builders at Mid America Motorworks who are responsible for this project, we salute you.

Best looking 1 Series M Coupe yet. By H&R suspension.

SEMA 2011 - modified BMWs, M3 and 1 Series M Coupe

BMW - like all the big European automakers - didn't have an official booth at SEMA. But, that didn't stop tuners of all sorts from showing off slammed, stanced and tweaked Bimmers. Ag1ain, the purists should look away now. Highlights included the new 1 Series M Coupe which was only improved by a modest drop and a choice set of BBS rims.

SEMA 2011 - Engines, chrome and horsepower

At SEMA it's easy to miss what's under the hood. But, if you take the time to look, what you see might surprise you. From all types of small blocks to late model crates and exotic Italian V12s, it's all here. The quality of some of these builds is off the charts. Just a pitty we didn't get to hear what they sound like...

SEMA 2011: Chevrolet - custom Camaro, Corvette some sick Sonics

Chevrolet had a giant booth at SEMA this year. The green Hot Wheels Camaro was hard to miss, but it was the compact Sonics that hogged the lime light. Several tuners got to try their hand at pimping the Sonic, but we'll let you judge for yourself which is best:

SEMA 2011: Exotics - tuned Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti and more

Purists look away now. The tuned exotics of the SEMA show aren't for you. There are carbon bits everywhere, massive rims and gaudy paint. Still the depreciation on these things will be the real killer.

SEMA 2011: Matte paint, still trending

Flat, non-glossy matte paint and vinyl wraps are still hot topics at SEMA this year. Love it or hate it, it's a trend that took the car world by storm:

SEMA 2011: Honda Civic, CR-Z, and other customs

Not too much new to report from Honda. BUT: the HPP Civic racer was a sight to behold, especially the body-in-white display with just the go-fast bits attatched. The supercarhged CR-Z motor was mighty impressive too, but frankly, we're sick of waiting for a high-performance hybrid from Honda. Just build it already!

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Detroit Auto Show 2013