The Automotive Aftermarket Returns to the Glitz and Glamour of Vegas for the 2023 SEMA Show
“Bright light city gonna set my soul, gonna set my soul on fire!”
You can almost hear Elvis signing those “Viva Las Vegas” lyrics in the weeks leading up to the annual SEMA Show every year, as countless car enthusiasts prepare for their annual pilgrimage to the bright lights, glitz, and glamour of Sin City. Builders are thrashing to get their latest projects ready to debut, manufacturers are finalizing displays to showcase their latest parts, while shop owners, retailers, and other members of the automotive aftermarket eagerly await opening day like kids counting down to Christmas.
Simply put, the SEMA Show is an automotive event like no other – a combination trade show, car show, party, reunion, parts display extravaganza, and people-watching exercise all rolled up into one. The 2023 edition was held October 31-November 3 and sprawled across every hall of the massive Las Vegas Convention Center. And while the show admittedly has become less focused on the vintage hot rod and custom market through the years, there are still plenty of cool old-school cars, trucks, and parts to be found among the late-model SUVs, accessories, and wheel-and-tire displays.
Goodguys and FuelCurve.com had boots on the ground all week, including a booth in the Central Hall’s Hot Rod Alley, where we proudly displayed the 2024 Grand Prize Giveaway ’32 Ford coupe built by Streamline Custom Designs. In addition to meeting with sponsors, advertisers, and other industry contacts, our team walked tens of thousands of steps to capture photos of the latest builds, parts, and cool stuff on display.
This show is the true definition of sensory overload, so it’s nearly impossible to give you the whole picture. Take a peek and you might get a glimpse of what’s coming down the road in the automotive aftermarket in the coming years.
2023 SEMA Show Photo Extra!
Photos by Damon Lee & Steven Bunker
