The Seventh Annual International Auto Salon (IAS) produced by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) at the Los Angeles Convention Center could be summed up in one word: more! More spacious: the show covered 112,000 square feet. More exhibitors: 210 including Ford, GM, Chrysler, Honda, Nissan and the top aftermarket custom and performance companies. More cars: 275 feature vehicles and more than 100 project cars. More to see: hot new products, hot models, racing celebrities Steph Papadakis, R.J. de Vera and L.J. Garcia and hot laps in the BFGoodrich Challenge where you are the test driver. More attendance: some 13,000 people came through the doors of the three-day event.
The SEMA Salon is a one-of-a-kind show because the first day was open only to members of the trade and press; the other two days were open to the public. This gave West Coast auto enthusiasts the unique opportunity to preview all that's new for transforming any car, from compact to SUV, into a rolling ego extension. It was a car guy's (or gal's) candy store for sure!