Top 10 Weirdest and Wildest Custom Cars of SEMA 2012 The best part about SEMA isn’t the new concepts from the major automakers or the introduction of new go-fast aftermarket parts. Rather, it’s the weird and wonderfully quirky custom cars created by smaller operations. Based on our time roaming the auto show floor, we’ve collected our top 10 picks of the weirdest and most wonderfully quirky cars at the 2012 SEMA show.
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Top 10 Weirdest and Wildest Custom Cars of SEMA 2012
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| Top 10 Weirdest and Wildest Custom Cars of SEMA 2012 |
Top 10 Weirdest and Wildest Custom Cars of SEMA 2012
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| Top 10 Weirdest and Wildest Custom Cars of SEMA 2012 |
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Top 10 Weirdest and Wildest Custom Cars of SEMA 2012
Click through to see the top 10 weirdest cars of the 2012 SEMA show.Ford Econoline XP CamperI admit it. I know nothing about this lifted Ford Econoline chassis cab camper other than the fact that it’s insanely awesome. Just look at it. This camper van started life as a Ford Econoline chassis cab, and was then converted to four-wheel drive, lifted, given meaty off-road rubber, and fitted with a pop-up camper in back. The cast of The Walking Dead could only dream of such a vehicle.
Dodge Viper RT/10 LimousineWell this thing is a bit, uh, wacky. The SEMA show is perhaps the only place this first-gen Dodge Viper RT/10 Limo actually fits in. This topless limo features racing buckets front and rear, bench seats along its sides, and a six-speed manual transmission for that extra dose of awesome. It’s currently available to take out for a night on the town in — you guessed it — Las Vegas.
Chevrolet El CamaroWe’re not sure if we love or hate the Chevrolet El Camaro. Born of a wrecked 1994 Camaro Z/28, the El Camaro’s body was cut behind the front doors, stretched 16.5 inches, and then widened an additional four inches for good measure. For good measure, El Camaro’s creators didn’t stop with the new bed – its 5.7-liter LT1 V-8 (no, not that LT1) was fitted with a Vortech supercharger and additional supporting mods to help it crank out around 400 wheel horsepower.
Landy Volkswagen Changhe SuzukiWhat’s weirder than a Chinese knockoff of a Japanese knockoff of a German car? That’s what the Landy Changhe Suzuki is in a nutshell. Weirder still is its two-tone purple and pink paint, bulbous front end, and heart-shaped wheels. If you’re still not sold on the Changhe’s weirdness then how’s this – its rear window displays a message: “I love you. Never give up.” Maybe they should’ve.
Mechatronik Mercedes-Benz 280SEThe Mechatronik Mercedes-Benz 280SE is the end of the conversation when it comes to sleepers. A quick glance at it shows nothing revealing – it just looks like a well-kept classic Mercedes 280SE. A look inside reveals nothing either, nothing but buttery, smooth leather and rich wood, that is. But then you pop the hood. Under the hood sits a rip-snorting 5.4-liter AMG V-8, ready to help this classic Benz confidently smoke just about anyone at a streetlight.
– Christian SeabaughCadillac Limo WagonI must have stepped back about half a mile to snap a photo of this wonderful Cadillac stretch wagon. Its total length? About three Fiat 500s, give or take. The wagon was on display at the booth of Isis Power, makers of automotive electrical systems. Unfortunately no one was around to answer questions like, “how many miles of wiring did you use for this thing?” The overall look is simply stunning with a clean silver paint job and an interior covered in white leather and light gray velour. The rear passenger compartment is pretty sweet, too, with two rows of bench seats facing each other.
Toyota Prius v with Exercise BikeRemember the Cadillac Escalade fitted with an exercise bike? Well Hayashi Telempu, an automotive parts supplier from Japan, has gone and done the same thing with a Toyota Prius V (and no, the bike doesn’t charge the battery). It may seem impractical and ridiculous, but we see it as an opportunity for Prius owners to simultaneously take care of their bodies and the environment. Other mods include a cargo area complete with fake grass and ice cooler, headliner with LED accent lights, matte wood trim, TRD rims, and a white and green paint job.
Toyota Prius cFrom the same folks who made the aforementioned exercise bike-equipped Prius v is this Prius c that appears to have crashed into Grandma’s doily-filled living room. The doily treatment is used everywhere—seat headrests, floor mats, and window wind deflectors. It’s also used as a racing stripe of sorts, to help break up the cheetah print wrap used on the hood and and roof, which in turn complements (clashes with?) the factory orange paint. According to the accompanying placard, this special Prius c is described as “Japanese women’s fashion trend meets automotive design.” Whateves. If you’re reading this, Gwen Stefani, your Harajuku-inspired car has finally arrived.
Mach Forty by Eckert’s Rod & CustomWe couldn’t believe the words coming from the mouth of the gentleman guarding this special Ford build. Mid-engined? A V-8 and transaxle sourced from a Ford GT? Yup, it’s all true. The years-long build started with 1969 Mustang Mach 1 body, but the only things that remained on the final car was its roof section, door frames, and doors. The remainder of the chassis is custom-built and the overall body is a showcase of styling cues from the Mach 1 and the low-slung GT40. Next, the owner snagged the 5.4-liter, supercharged V-8 engine and transaxle from a wrecked 2006 Ford GT and wanted both mounted behind the driver’s seat. Better yet, horsepower is adjustable on the fly, allowing the drive to change output from 600-850 hp.
Two-Headed Jeep WranglerThis Jeep build comes courtesy of our sister publication 4-Wheel & Off-Road, which originally wanted to produce a Wrangler with four-wheel steering. They decided to take it a step further by making it a two-headed Jeep. They started with a new 2012 Jeep Wrangler, tore off the rear end, and essentially replaced it with the front end of a donor Wrangler JK (the gutted engine bay now acts as storage for the 40-inch Nitto Trail Grappler spare tire and other off-road essentials). Aside from the trick four-wheel steering system, other mods include a four-inch suspension lift kit, a Warn winch, Genright fenders, and beefier bumpers and skidplates – the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 has been left largely untouched. Despite its love-it-or-hate-it looks, the Jeep has already been trail-tested and has performed admirably, maneuvering around tight corners with greater ease than a Jeep with conventional two-wheel steering. CLICK HERE for more details on the build.
Dodge Viper RT/10 LimousineWell this thing is a bit, uh, wacky. The SEMA show is perhaps the only place this first-gen Dodge Viper RT/10 Limo actually fits in. This topless limo features racing buckets front and rear, bench seats along its sides, and a six-speed manual transmission for that extra dose of awesome. It’s currently available to take out for a night on the town in — you guessed it — Las Vegas.
Chevrolet El CamaroWe’re not sure if we love or hate the Chevrolet El Camaro. Born of a wrecked 1994 Camaro Z/28, the El Camaro’s body was cut behind the front doors, stretched 16.5 inches, and then widened an additional four inches for good measure. For good measure, El Camaro’s creators didn’t stop with the new bed – its 5.7-liter LT1 V-8 (no, not that LT1) was fitted with a Vortech supercharger and additional supporting mods to help it crank out around 400 wheel horsepower.
Landy Volkswagen Changhe SuzukiWhat’s weirder than a Chinese knockoff of a Japanese knockoff of a German car? That’s what the Landy Changhe Suzuki is in a nutshell. Weirder still is its two-tone purple and pink paint, bulbous front end, and heart-shaped wheels. If you’re still not sold on the Changhe’s weirdness then how’s this – its rear window displays a message: “I love you. Never give up.” Maybe they should’ve.
Mechatronik Mercedes-Benz 280SEThe Mechatronik Mercedes-Benz 280SE is the end of the conversation when it comes to sleepers. A quick glance at it shows nothing revealing – it just looks like a well-kept classic Mercedes 280SE. A look inside reveals nothing either, nothing but buttery, smooth leather and rich wood, that is. But then you pop the hood. Under the hood sits a rip-snorting 5.4-liter AMG V-8, ready to help this classic Benz confidently smoke just about anyone at a streetlight.
– Christian SeabaughCadillac Limo WagonI must have stepped back about half a mile to snap a photo of this wonderful Cadillac stretch wagon. Its total length? About three Fiat 500s, give or take. The wagon was on display at the booth of Isis Power, makers of automotive electrical systems. Unfortunately no one was around to answer questions like, “how many miles of wiring did you use for this thing?” The overall look is simply stunning with a clean silver paint job and an interior covered in white leather and light gray velour. The rear passenger compartment is pretty sweet, too, with two rows of bench seats facing each other.
Toyota Prius v with Exercise BikeRemember the Cadillac Escalade fitted with an exercise bike? Well Hayashi Telempu, an automotive parts supplier from Japan, has gone and done the same thing with a Toyota Prius V (and no, the bike doesn’t charge the battery). It may seem impractical and ridiculous, but we see it as an opportunity for Prius owners to simultaneously take care of their bodies and the environment. Other mods include a cargo area complete with fake grass and ice cooler, headliner with LED accent lights, matte wood trim, TRD rims, and a white and green paint job.
Toyota Prius cFrom the same folks who made the aforementioned exercise bike-equipped Prius v is this Prius c that appears to have crashed into Grandma’s doily-filled living room. The doily treatment is used everywhere—seat headrests, floor mats, and window wind deflectors. It’s also used as a racing stripe of sorts, to help break up the cheetah print wrap used on the hood and and roof, which in turn complements (clashes with?) the factory orange paint. According to the accompanying placard, this special Prius c is described as “Japanese women’s fashion trend meets automotive design.” Whateves. If you’re reading this, Gwen Stefani, your Harajuku-inspired car has finally arrived.
Mach Forty by Eckert’s Rod & CustomWe couldn’t believe the words coming from the mouth of the gentleman guarding this special Ford build. Mid-engined? A V-8 and transaxle sourced from a Ford GT? Yup, it’s all true. The years-long build started with 1969 Mustang Mach 1 body, but the only things that remained on the final car was its roof section, door frames, and doors. The remainder of the chassis is custom-built and the overall body is a showcase of styling cues from the Mach 1 and the low-slung GT40. Next, the owner snagged the 5.4-liter, supercharged V-8 engine and transaxle from a wrecked 2006 Ford GT and wanted both mounted behind the driver’s seat. Better yet, horsepower is adjustable on the fly, allowing the drive to change output from 600-850 hp.
Two-Headed Jeep WranglerThis Jeep build comes courtesy of our sister publication 4-Wheel & Off-Road, which originally wanted to produce a Wrangler with four-wheel steering. They decided to take it a step further by making it a two-headed Jeep. They started with a new 2012 Jeep Wrangler, tore off the rear end, and essentially replaced it with the front end of a donor Wrangler JK (the gutted engine bay now acts as storage for the 40-inch Nitto Trail Grappler spare tire and other off-road essentials). Aside from the trick four-wheel steering system, other mods include a four-inch suspension lift kit, a Warn winch, Genright fenders, and beefier bumpers and skidplates – the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 has been left largely untouched. Despite its love-it-or-hate-it looks, the Jeep has already been trail-tested and has performed admirably, maneuvering around tight corners with greater ease than a Jeep with conventional two-wheel steering. CLICK HERE for more details on the build.