Like ants to a late-summer picnic, the automotive industry’s leaders, insiders, reps, buyers, wannabes and scribes are all prepared to swarm on the Las Vegas Convention Center Oct. 30–Nov. 2 to feed their hunger for all things automotive. They come for the greatest show the average Joe will never see, at least not in person — the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show.

One of the most interesting cars spotted so far this year is what is speculated to be a Chrysler Barracuda concept car.

This year’s show will feature 14 automakers, many of them hustling to use the show as an elaborate stage from which to make major announcements and debut their newest creations. Adding to the circus-like atmosphere, more than 2,000 customized vehicles and nearly 50,000 buyers will be walking the miles of aisles looking for the next big thing to hit the nearly $30-billion-a-year specialty automotive industry.

The 2 million square feet of exhibitions in the heart of “Sin City” are filled with a wide variety of automotive treats. From aftermarket components to restoration parts to the latest and greatest gadgets and gizmos, the show exhibits all the new products that will soon hit the streets for consumers to purchase.

This 500 HP Hemi-powered SR-392 Roadster has been making a splash this year. The '34 Chevy Coupe is not only tough, it is environmentally friendly and runs on E85.

It all started way back in 1967 as a show with less than 100 booths targeting manufacturers of high-performance parts. However, from its humble beginnings, it has grown to be an automotive event that would make P.T. Barnum proud.

Manufacturers from around the world will be out in force unveiling more than 2,000 newly introduced parts, tools and components. Despite the fact that the show is not open to the general public, over the coming days and weeks, the items unveiled during the 2007 SEMA Show will flood out into the market, possibly even impacting the way you work on your
old car.

Not to be outdone, Jay Leno's 600 HP E85 Powered Corvette C6RS is also receiving a lot of attention at this year's show.

This year’s show is gearing up to be the largest ever. What will the industry insiders find as they swarm amongst the glitz and glamour that could only be at home in Las Vegas? Time will only tell.

Be sure to watch OldCarsWeekly.com and the pages of future issues of Old Cars Weekly to see what rises to the top of this year’s show.

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