SEMA News—June 2014
HOT ROD ALLEY PRODUCTS
Performance Is Premium
Hot rods are at the heart of the automotive specialty-equipment industry. From the dry-lakes racers that flourished after World War II to the modern musclecars rolling out today’s factories, improved performance has always been at a premium. The New Products Showcase at the 2013 SEMA Show featured dozens of innovative introductions as well as featured products from performance companies throughout the industry. SEMA News now offers this listing of hot-rod products for those who may have missed the Show or just want to refresh themselves about what’s coming to the market this year.
View more than 150 Hot Rod Products and expert testimonials debuted at the 2013 SEMA Show (PDF). |
Vintage Air Inc. Vintage Air’s new ProLine-series louvers are designed, flow-tested and manufactured to deliver the highest air volume possible from just 2.625 in. of diameter. | Vintage Air Inc. Vintage Air’s new ProLine-series louvers are designed, flow-tested and manufactured to deliver the highest air volume possible from just 2.625 in. of diameter. | |
Vintage Air Inc. Fully electronic, bolt-in climate control system featuring new state-of–the-art, fly-by-wire rotary controls. Separate coils with a temperature-blend door for instant just-right comfort. | VDO Instrumentation & Accessories The VDO CB500 is an all-in-one instrument cluster that presents the user with all necessary engine data along with a wide array of telltale indicators. | |
Wheel Vintiques More new old stuff from Wheel Vintiques. Now offering 14- and 15-in. OE-style wheels for tri-five Chevys, with just the right backspace for disc-brake applications and dimpled-rim outers to fit stock hubcaps with a smooth satin black finish. | American V8 Classics & Customs Customized, billet-aluminum, CNC-machined valve covers for twin LS7 Engines (427 + 427 = 854 ci, LSX16.com) installed in a ’69 Camaro with Z06 Corvette transaxle. Seals tight, accepts stock GM gasket/O-ring. | |
Pacific Tool & Gauge A modern-day, high-octane action comedy of errors. Crowd-pleasing rumbles from engines and fists. This movie will reignite the fire that once burned for less-technological advances, when things were more simple back in the day but in the here and now. Produced and directed by Chris Darland. | Eddie Motorsports CNC machined from solid billet aluminum, the gauge panels are a direct replacement for the stock plastic dash. The panel easily adapts aftermarket gauges to classic Mustangs. The dash piece has a separate aluminum insert for multiple finish options. High-beam and turn-signal LEDs are included in the gauge panels. | |
Excalibur Wheel Accessories/McLean This is a reproduction Chevrolet rally derby cap with Chevrolet Motor Division logo. Was original equipment on ’73–’82 Corvette. This is a General Motors licensed product. | Hotwire Auto Complete engine- and transmission-management wiring harness to run the new 6.4L Hemi and Nag1 transmission using all-new components. Computers and programming available. | |
GT Performance Products The Autocross wheel has a layered-tier spoke design and a modular leather grip, allowing grip to be removed and color matched to any interior. | Bed Wood and Parts The EZ tailgate butcher block transforms the tailgate of a fullsize pickup, wagon or SUV into an ideal food-preparation surface for an outdoorsman, tailgater or camper. It protects the tailgate from damage and keeps liquids trapped on the board and off the vehicle during use. Cleans up easily and stows when the work is done. | |
HushMat Touch the untreated panel—ouch! Touch the HushMat Ultra-treated panel and feel a 40% reduction in heat. Touch the Ultra- and Silencer-treated panel and feel no heat at all. Customers experience the incredible insulating value of HushMat insulation material on the counter or shelf. HushMat’s interactive merchandising display is plug-in ready. | Winner—Best Street Rod/Custom Car Product Aeromotive Inc. This system is a complete drop-in, retro-fit fuel system that places a high-performance fuel pump and baffle system into almost any gas tank. Its modular design is cut to height for any fuel tank or cell from 5 to 20 in. in depth and provides proper fuel-slosh control, venting and performance. A perfect solution for EFI conversions and engine swaps. | |
SSBC Performance Brake Systems Tri-power HD aluminum caliper with 14.5 rotor. Front disc-brake upgrade kit for ’99–’13 GM 3/4- and 1-ton truck and SUVs. | SSBC Performance Brake Systems Tri-power three-piston aluminum HD rear-wheel caliper quick-change kit for ’05–’12 Ford 3/4- and 1-ton trucks. | |
Unisteer Performance Products A rack-and-pinion designed to handle the rigors of extreme off-road applications with the ease of power steering. | Unisteer Performance Products Power rack-and-pinion retrofit kit for ’70–’77 Mavericks. | |
American Powertrain Ballistix body mounts for classic F-bodies (Camaro, Firebird and Trans Am). | United Pacific Industries Inc. Officially Ford-licensed ’32 five-window steel body shells. Beginning with steel of equal or greater thicknesses as original, every panel is stamped on handcrafted permanent steel dies to ensure that every detail is preserved. Bodies are electro deposit primer coated and are also supplied with complete hardwood assemblies pre-installed. | |
American Powertrain No more stretched cables, burned-up clutches or bent forks for Fox owners. American Powertrain’s new Hydramax Fox hydraulic clutch swap for ’83–’93 Mustangs eliminates the Fox cable-style clutch and quadrant with a true 100% hydraulic solution. | American Powertrain The new ISO-X transmission mount for | |
American Powertrain These all-new steel pedals are made to factory specs and will fit the original pedal housing for easy installation on manual or automatic cars. They are fully compatible with the original brake master and original pedal pushrod or American Powertrain’s Hydramax hydraulic clutch system. | American Powertrain The new X-Factor crossmember for Gen 2 GM A-body saves weight, bolts up to almost any transmission and provides clearance for up to 3.5-in. exhaust tubes in ’68–’72 Chevelles, GTOs, El Caminos or other A-body hardtops. | |
Axalta Coating Systems Cromax Mosaic 3.5 VOC-compliant solvent-borne basecoat is a full-featured collision-repair system with outstanding color match, color repeatability, blendability and spot repair. | Billet Specialties Inc. Get into a new level of dimension. The XF series boasts an aggressive plunging concave profile and some of the most innovative designs in the wheel industry. Each style has the rare and uncanny ability to upgrade the image of the world’s most envied automobiles. | |
Billet Specialties Inc. The ZL series’ soft-contour face adds a | Billet Specialties Inc. The Sprint is a billet-aluminum, traditional-style hot-rod steering wheel that bolts directly to early three-hole steering columns and includes the button cap. Features milled finger notches and works with Billet Specialties’ standard 14-in. half wraps. | |
Billet Specialties Inc. Billet Specialties Interceptor steering wheel features a billet aluminum/wrap design with milled finger grips. Select from nine top-grain leather choices, 13 horn buttons and select application adapters to complete. Made in the U.S.A. | Billet Specialties Inc. Billet Specialties chrome-plated taillight bezels for the ’69 Camaro are precision 3D machined from billet aluminum for a high-tech look, then plated to perfection. Available in two models—traditional slotted and segmented tri-panel—with buyer’s choice of flush mount or recessed bezels. Made in the USA. | |
Circle Racing Wheels Inc. Circle Racing Wheels is proud to introduce the 16-in. Billet Gasser. Just looking at this wheel makes owners start thinking of racing their roadsters at the local drag strip. This timeless design is available in 16x7 through 16x9.5 in. Another great addition to the Circle Racing Wheel product line. | Circle Racing Wheels Inc. Circle Racing Wheels is proud to introduce the Cadillac Sabre. This two-piece, billet-aluminum wheel is based on the ’50s design that came stock on the Eldorado. Cadillac also offered it as an option to its car line. Available fully polished in sizes 17x7 through 17x10 and 18x7 through 18x10 soft-lip outers. | |
Classic Instruments Inc. The ’54–’55 Chevy truck package is a complete package to upgrade the instruments in a factory dash. All mounting hardware, indicator lights and sending units are included. The package is available in 14 different series. | Classic Instruments Inc. The 1951-52 Chevy car package is a complete package to upgrade the instruments in a factory dash. All mounting hardware, indicator lights and sending units are included. The package is available in 14 different series. | |
Classic Instruments Inc. The AutoCross series by Classic Instruments is the latest in performance instrumentation. | Classic Instruments Inc. Go retro with Classic Instruments Rocket Tach. The Rocket Tach is certain to add a traditional flare to any hot rod with color-changing rocket boosters and nostalgic graphics. Comes complete with chrome mounting cup. | |
Classic Performance Products Inc. CPP’s exclusive, adjustable-design no-weld brackets are CNC laser-cut steel and feature a durable black powdercoat finish. FitRite kits include Polyplus engine mounts. | Runner-Up—Best Street Rod/Custom Car Product Classic Instruments Inc. Zeus Speedometer Technology (ZST) gives users the first self-diagnostic speedometer and has the simplest calibration procedure. With new, instant calibration, drive 30 mph and push a button. Done! The tachometer works with one- to 12-cylinder engines and has an optional shift light. Any known speed signal can be accepted. ZST has four pending patents. | |
Coker Tire Co. Attractive all-steel tire display rack mounted in a chrome wheel. Presents the product at eye level for easy viewing. Sturdy construction takes a small vertical footprint. | Dakota Digital A sleek, functional instrument system that fits directly into the stock gauge cluster. No cutting is required to enjoy six analog readouts with dual LCD message centers. Lighting is available in red, blue or white, with silver or black alloy gauge-face options. Senders for oil, water and speed are included. Unit is water and vibration resistant. | |
CON2R It’s a look directly out of the art-deco era, but it’s functionally all state of the art, with electronic gauges and adjustable LED lighting. Sized to fit a standard ’32 Ford dash opening, it can easily be installed in any flat dash. | Dakota Digital The finishing touch for late-model builds after swapping in a tough, older transmission. For those looking to simplify and strengthen their hot rods, this mechanically driven pulse generator creates a 128,000-ppm speed signal suitable for modern ECMs and speedometers in vehicles now sporting mechanical speedometer-cable GM transmissions | |
Coker Tire Co. The first bias-look whitewall radial tire for American automobiles manufactured in the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. Fitments include | Detroit Speed & Engineering Inc. This Detroit Speed electric headlight door kit replaces the stock electric system. It operates the headlight doors more reliably and smoother than stock using current-sensing technology, and it needs no adjustment. Comes with two electric actuators, control module, harness, mounting brackets and hardware. | |
Eddie Motorsports Eddie Motorsports’ CNC-machined, billet-aluminum hood hinges for ’82–’92 Camaros and Firebirds offer the ultimate in engine-bay customizing and directly replace inferior, stock, stamped-steel hinges. The hinges utilize sealed bearings for ease of operation and incorporate SS nitrogen-gas-filled struts for increased stability and durability. | Runner-Up—Best Dakota Digital Now builders can install a cable-driven speedometer with a transmission that provides only an electric VSS output. Waterproof case allows mounting anywhere; powerful motor with PID control yields extremely stable needle operation. Three-foot cable is available with ends to connect to GM/Ford thread-on, GM clip-on or Ford clip-on speedometers. | |
Eddie Motorsports Eddie Motorsports’ CNC-machined, billet-aluminum fender braces offer the ultimate in engine-bay customizing and directly replace the Camaro’s inferior, stock, stamped-steel parts. They are available with optional inserts for unlimited custom color combinations. | Flaming River Industries Inc. All-new roadster-style tilt steering column for classic trucks, roadsters and ’53–’62 Corvettes. Compact space-saving design has a nostalgic look, tilt and GM wiring. Made in U.S.A. | |
Flaming River Industries Inc. Direct fit for ’69–up Nova/Skylark, Chevelle/El Camino, Camaro. Proximity-based RFID keyless ignition system integrated into the column and available in paintable, black powdercoat or polished finishes. System is fully programmable and compatible with keyless entry/trunk release, door popper and other remotely controlled accessories. | E-Stopp Braking System Secure a vehicle like a bait car. With Remote E-Stopp, a user can stop a vehicle from | |
Fesler Built Fesler Glue is a two-part, 10-second adhesive. Just apply the adhesive, then spray the activator and stick it together for a strong, permanent bond. Its greatest benefits are its speed and strength. | Hells Gate Hot Rods Form and function meet in this stylized lake header cap. The cam-over tightening lever features a positive fastening feel. The symmetrical four-point clamping mechanism is infinitely adjustable, easy to operate without tools and designed to fit any existing 5x1/4 megaphone ring. Caps come fully assembled and ready for customers’ personalized finish. | |
Grex Airbrush Grex innovation is focused on ergonomics and the ability to adapt to the user’s applications and preferences. The defining design element of these new airbrushes is the ergonomic hand grip that provides improved comfort and handling. They’re specifically engineered for maximum adaptability by leveraging the wide selection of accessories from Grex. | ididit Inc. ididit’s new ’65 Mercury Comet floor-shift steering column is a direct-bolt-in design and features eight-position tilt, a Ford top shaft and Ford wiring. A new floor mount and Ford-style knobs and levers are included. | |
March Performance New carbon-fiber air cleaner designed to fit low-mounted hoods. Manufactured from carbon fiber and billet. | Lokar Inc. The Lokar early Bronco throttle pedal and brake/clutch pads are designed to replace the original pads for early ’66–’77 Ford Broncos. The pads are made of durable billet-aluminum construction. The brake and clutch pads are curved to add style as well as function. The throttle pedal pad mounts to the factory arm. |
View more than 150 Hot Rod Products and expert testimonials debuted at the 2013 SEMA Show (PDF). |