Hooniverse Asks: Anything catching your eye at SEMA so far?

The aftermarket adventure that is SEMA is underway. There’s a ton of news, and it ranges from mild to far too wild. Somewhere in the middle is the entertaining and tasty meat. For example, that car in the photo above? It’s Dodge’s new Challenger Drag Pak. No you can’t drive it on the street and just 50 will be built and sold. But for those lucky few with the means and a desire to uncork a supercharged 5.8-liter V8, then 7.5-second quarter mile runs are in their future. Yes, that’s not a typo; this thing runs sevens!

Other great debuts include the Ford Bronco R Baja race truck prototype, a wicked electric Mustang, a well-built Nissan Frontier, and a stunner of an old Dodge truck.

Is there anything you’ve seen that has your attention? Sure there’s the usual slog of overdone vehicles, but there’s also some great news rolling out as well. Let us know what you’ve found.

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23 responses to “Hooniverse Asks: Anything catching your eye at SEMA so far?”

  1. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    Just because I have a friend that worked on it, the Bimmerworld/Optima Battery BMW E36 Pikes Peak car. It has insane ground effects and over 1000hp at the rear wheels. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7a47e7164549e8d551d97c4e843ecac7b28ee6e4e201554cd32c464833fd8748.jpg

    1. caltemus Avatar
      caltemus

      I love the look of modern time-attack style aero

    2. caltemus Avatar
      caltemus

      I love the look of modern time-attack style aero

    3. caltemus Avatar
      caltemus

      I love the look of modern time-attack style aero

    1. salguod Avatar

      I saw that at the Detroit Autorama this past summer. Very nice.

    2. salguod Avatar

      I saw that at the Detroit Autorama this past summer. Very nice.

    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      Ringbrothers consistently builds classy rides– regardless what they bring, you know it’s going to be worth ogling over. This ’69 is undeniably cool, but the graphics and color scheme just don’t push the right buttons for me (I rarely like black on blue). I’d be interested to see what they could do with a ’71-’73 Mustang– especially considering what they proved with the long-nosed Defiant Javelin– or even a Maverick. I’ve had a serious itch for an early Maverick recently.

      My favorite RB Mustang build might be the Dragon from a several years back.

      View post on imgur.com

    2. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      Ringbrothers consistently builds classy rides– regardless what they bring, you know it’s going to be worth ogling over. This ’69 is undeniably cool, but the graphics and color scheme just don’t push the right buttons for me (I rarely like black on blue). I’d be interested to see what they could do with a ’71-’73 Mustang– especially considering what they proved with the long-nosed Defiant Javelin– or even a Maverick. I’ve had a serious itch for an early Maverick recently.

      My favorite RB Mustang build might be the Dragon from a several years back.

      View post on imgur.com

      1. neight428 Avatar
        neight428

        I looked past the graphics seeing them as an unfortunate necessity to get the project financed. I just sort of advertised Flowmaster on Hooniverse (sorry Jeff), so, I guess it works?

      2. neight428 Avatar
        neight428

        I looked past the graphics seeing them as an unfortunate necessity to get the project financed. I just sort of advertised Flowmaster on Hooniverse (sorry Jeff), so, I guess it works?

        1. Zentropy Avatar
          Zentropy

          I’ve never seen them advertise so heavily on any of their builds before– perhaps it’s a new business strategy. They did put some modest Prestone graphics on their Javelin (and painted it a color reminiscent of the brand), but that car was specifically built for that company. Graphics or not, Ringbrothers is one of my favorite builders. Everything they turn out is phenomenal.

          https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/amv-prod-cad-assets/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Prestone-1972-AMC-Javelin-Defiant-112.jpg?resize=980:*

          1. salguod Avatar

            I have a ton of respect for the quality and craftsmanship of the Ring Brothers builds, but they frequently miss the aesthetic mark on some details for me. That aggressive, modern air dam on that Javelin is a good example. It feels out of character on a 70s muscle car.

          2. salguod Avatar

            I have a ton of respect for the quality and craftsmanship of the Ring Brothers builds, but they frequently miss the aesthetic mark on some details for me. That aggressive, modern air dam on that Javelin is a good example. It feels out of character on a 70s muscle car.

          3. Zentropy Avatar
            Zentropy

            I agree with you completely regarding the Javelin. I was excited to see them build an AMC, but the direction was a bit out of character for Ringbrothers, and not as vintage-looking as I would have liked. Their cars typically have a cleaner, military-grade-precision vibe, but you’re right– that front air dam wouldn’t look out of place on a Civic Type R or a BMW M car. I’ve never cared for tall cowl induction hoods, either.

          4. Zentropy Avatar
            Zentropy

            I agree with you completely regarding the Javelin. I was excited to see them build an AMC, but the direction was a bit out of character for Ringbrothers, and not as vintage-looking as I would have liked. Their cars typically have a cleaner, military-grade-precision vibe, but you’re right– that front air dam wouldn’t look out of place on a Civic Type R or a BMW M car. I’ve never cared for tall cowl induction hoods, either.

  2. salguod Avatar

    Thinking back to my days in the kit car world, I’m intrigued by the new V12 LS powered front mid engine “hypercar” chassis that Factory Five showed. This is supposed to be a replacement for their GTM and should have a full reveal next year.

    https://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG_0773.jpg

  3. salguod Avatar

    Thinking back to my days in the kit car world, I’m intrigued by the new V12 LS powered front mid engine “hypercar” chassis that Factory Five showed. This is supposed to be a replacement for their GTM and should have a full reveal next year.

    https://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG_0773.jpg

    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      This video on the engine is worth a look, in case you were wondering about the on-paper ‘low’ output.

    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      As usual, Foose’s work is impeccable, but this car is completely handicapped by its roadster origins. In my opinion, it’s the fastback that gives the E-Type such a dramatic and dynamic look. I think if this had been a coupe, it would have been a jaw-dropper. Given what the team started with, though, I think the execution was outstanding with the exception of the hood scoop. It looks too much like that of the last Thunderbird, which is a design no one should want to emulate.

    2. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      As usual, Foose’s work is impeccable, but this car is completely handicapped by its roadster origins. In my opinion, it’s the fastback that gives the E-Type such a dramatic and dynamic look. I think if this had been a coupe, it would have been a jaw-dropper. Given what the team started with, though, I think the execution was outstanding with the exception of the hood scoop. It looks too much like that of the last Thunderbird, which is a design no one should want to emulate.