By Fredy Ramirez
SEMA is gearing up for the 2019 Battle of the Builders (BOTB) competition, set to take place during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and the list of competitors keeps growing longer as the Show approaches. SEMA eNews will highlight several vehicles each week leading up to the Show. This week's featured builds include Justin Brunner’s ‘70 Chevrolet Nova, Jesus Lopez’s ‘69 Chevrolet Camaro, Telly Violetto’s ‘73 Chevrolet Camaro and Jacob Griffin’s ’65 Mustang.
Jacob Griffin’s latest project is a Ford Mustang “Straight Razor” build in which he’s taken a ’65 Mustang and body swapped it with a ’99 Mustang Cobra GT. |
Jacob Griffin, ’65 Ford Mustang
Young builders all over the country are competing in the SEMA Young Guns Regional competition for a chance to win a trip to the 2019 SEMA Show and have their vehicle displayed. Jacob Griffin joined SEMA earlier this year at Formula Drift in Long Beach, California—one of the competition’s regional qualifier stops.
Griffin, a third-generation builder, also comes from a family of racers and hot-rod enthusiasts. Working alongside his dad at Griffin Design, his latest project is a Ford Mustang “Straight Razor” build. He’s taken a ’65 Mustang and body swapped it with a ’99 Mustang Cobra GT.
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| Justin Brunner’s ‘70 Chevrolet Nova | Jesus Lopez’s, ‘69 Chevrolet Camaro | Telly Violetto’s ‘73 Chevrolet Camaro |
Justin Brunner, ’70 Chevrolet Nova
Scheduled to Appear: Mast Motorsports #23575
Justin Brunner enters this year’s BOTB with a ’70 Chevrolet Nova that is engineered to push out 820 hp. The LS2 engine features a Whipple kit and Ultimate headers, and is controlled by a 4L85E transmission. The build’s exterior features tucked bumpers, custom BASF paint and Nu Relics windows. The vehicle sits on Detroit Speed suspension and is fitted with Baer brakes and Forgeline wheels. The interior is a custom design that includes Dakota Digital gauges and Vintage Air A/C.
Jesus Lopez, ’69 Chevrolet Camaro
Scheduled to Appear: Jet Performance #23713
This ’69 Camaro will be Jesus Lopez’s first complete build on his own. He comes with plenty of experience, as he has been in the hot-rod industry since the age of 14. The build’s carbon-fiber engine bay is filled with a Mercury SB4 7.0, 750hp engine controlled by a Tremec six-speed T56 transmission. Baer brakes are tasked with bringing the machine to a stop. The custom body rides on a Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis with HRE wheels. The interior is also custom and includes continental ICD gauges and flush-mount glass.
Telly Violetto, ’73 Chevrolet Camaro
Scheduled to Appear: HRIA #23393
Telly Violetto enters this year’s BOTB with a ’73 Camaro. The profile of the vehicle includes custom flares, a tucked-in bumper, a one-off hood, and in-house taillights. The paint features a mix of Porsche Riviera Blue and Mexico Blue with ice-blue pearl. The build is powered by a supercharged engine that pushes out 700 hp, and it sits on Ridetech suspension with Forgline wheels fitted with Wilwood brakes.
For more information, visit the SEMA Battle of the Builders website.