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Podcasts Take Two
The Wheel Thing Special: The SEMA show's spectacle of custom cars in Vegas
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Nov 4, 2014
Listen • 6:02
The Wheel Thing Special: The SEMA show's spectacle of custom cars in Vegas
A shuttle van that goes off-road. A car/guitar amp. And tires designed to be recycled into shoe soles. A trade show for auto customizers opens in Vegas.
Chevy's Silverado truck, customized with over-sized 33" wheels, blacked-out trim, and carrying the Polaris ACE all-terrain vehicle.
Chevy's Silverado truck, customized with over-sized 33" wheels, blacked-out trim, and carrying the Polaris ACE all-terrain vehicle.
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General Motors
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A Scion xB inspired by skateboarder Riley Hawk features shag carpet, an 8-track player and a built-in cargo box for boards.
A Scion xB inspired by skateboarder Riley Hawk features shag carpet, an 8-track player and a built-in cargo box for boards.
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Scion
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This tricked out Transit has off-raod wheels and tires, but also features comforts like five flat screens, video gaming station, and custom LED lighting.
This tricked out Transit has off-road wheels and tires, but also features comforts like five flat screens, video gaming station, and custom LED lighting.
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Ford Motor Co.
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Kia is showing a custom Sedona van, built specifically for go-kart racers.
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A shuttle van that goes off-road. A car/guitar amp. And tires designed to be recycled into shoe soles. A trade show for auto customizers opens in Vegas.

Imagine one of those hotel shuttle vans - the kind you see at the airport - barreling over hills and dunes, far from any road.  Or a car that doubles as a monster guitar amp.

These vehicles, and many others are debuting Tuesday in Las Vegas at the SEMA show. SEMA is a trade organization of auto customizers and manufacturers of specialty auto parts. Every year, auto "upfitters" try to top each other with cooler, or more outrageous modifications.

There are vans specifically for go-kart racers, dirt bike aficionados and even skateboarders.

Orange County Register automotive critic Susan Carpenter shares more about some of the interesting, and maybe even insane custom vehicles being shown. She notes there are some more down-to-earth things at the show, too, such as a new line of auto tires that are designed from the get-go to be recycled into shoe soles.

Oh, and all this crazy customizing. It's really big business. According to SEMA, sales of custom and specialized auto parts and services should add up to about $34 billion.