SEMA 2025: IT’S A WRAP!

Still more to see from this immense industry gathering.

The 2025 SEMA Show was packed with innovation, energy and optimism for the future of the automotive performance aftermarket. As we walked the expansive show floor and explored countless exhibits, Mopar_® builds stood out – captured in nearly every corner of the convention center. Most notably, the official Mopar / Direct Connection display in the Lower South Hall was a standout.

This final “wrap-up” gallery features some of the top builds from this year’s show. Plans are already underway for the 2026 SEMA Show, happening November 3–6, 2026. For updates and details, visit: www.sema.com.

CHIP FOOSE HEMI^® DESOTO

This 1955 DeSoto Fireflite is a bold fusion of Heritage and Horsepower – where vintage elegance meets modern fury, thanks to an SRT^® HEMI Gen III powerplant. Built by the team at Chip Foose’s shop, the car retains its stock frame from the cowl back, while a custom in-house front suspension sets the tone up front. A 9-inch Ford rear, 4-wheel Baer brakes and Magnaflow exhaust round out the performance upgrades.

The original Jamaica Bronze Metallic finish has been fully refreshed with BASF products, complementing an interior reimagined with a three-color layout featuring leather and mohair Sunbrella^® fabric.

Factory styling cues from Virgil Exner’s revolutionary “Forward Look” design remain intact – most notably the distinctive miniature “sun cap” over the windshield and chrome-accented headlamps. Originally known as the Series 21, the 1955 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman packed a 291-cubic-inch HEMI V8 pushing 200 horsepower with 4-barrel induction and dual exhaust.

With this magnificent vintage DeSoto, Mr. and Mrs. Chip Foose were a big part of the SEMA 2025 excitement!

HEMI. What else? This build nails it – retaining an old-school OEM vibe by seamlessly blending an authentic Gen III HEMI engine into its 1950s surroundings. No unnecessary flash. No over-the-top bling. Just pure, understated power. Bravo!

One-off “wire-look” wheels designed by Chip and built by Mike Curtis of Curtis Speed.

CLASSIC ’CUDAS

1970 HARDTOP WITH GEN III HEMI UPGRADE

Shipped cross-country from Maryland’s Mid-Atlantic Customs, this 1970 ’Cuda now packs a modern punch with an SRT 6.4L Gen III HEMI engine under the hood. The iconic E-body has been seamlessly upgraded – proof that modern muscle can bolt right into classic Mopar heritage with ease.

Leather interior and custom center console that now includes a back-up camera as an added contemporary convenience touch.

1971 340 CONVERTIBLE

“In Violet” was one of the High Impact extra-cost colors offered on 1971 Plymouths, and it takes center stage on this 1971 ’Cuda 340 convertible. Paired with bold white billboards and a matching white interior, this drop-top is as vibrant as it is iconic.

Carbon fiber “Go-Wing” upgrade was added during the build. 

ROAD RUNNERS TOO

PURE VISION DESIGN

Named Haraka – Swahili for “hurry” or “speedy” – this 1970 Plymouth Road Runner is the latest creation from Pure Vision Design’s Steve Strope, unveiled at SEMA ’25. Riding on Heidts’ PRO-G independent front and rear suspension, the build is packed with meticulously detailed enhancements from top to bottom, front to rear – including a GTX honeycomb grille for an extra touch of Mopar aggression.

494-cube Mopar big block wedge, MoTeC EFI on carbon fiber long ram intake, Tremec TKX trans, carbon fiber mufflers and exhaust system.

A highly creative interior mashup – starting with a 1966 Plymouth Fury dashboard as the centerpiece. The custom touches continue with a ’72 Duster center console, a ’Cuda Gran Coupe overhead console and one-off Robert Graham-themed upholstery. Every detail is a unique design statement.

HRE wheels, factory bumper back-up openings now for exhaust exits, fully detailed trunk area, nothing was overlooked in this fantastic build!

RANSBERRY ROAD RUNNER

Basking in the Nevada sun, this 1968 Road Runner Coupe – built by Randy Borcherding of PAINTHOUSE (Cypress, TX) – turns heads in a custom-mixed Ransberry Pearl finish. It rides on one-off Evod wheels wrapped in Nitto Invo rubber, blending classic muscle with modern stance.

Tucked beneath a custom-fabricated Shaker hood scoop is a beast – an all-aluminum Keith Black Gen II HEMI engine, bored and stroked to a monstrous 572 cubic inches. A powerplant this well-detailed is as serious as it looks.

SNAKESKIN PEARL GREEN

At a massive event like the SEMA Show, grabbing attention is everything – and having a standout vehicle in your booth makes all the difference. MaxPro Window Films nailed it with a Snakeskin Pearl Green Viper that delivered serious visual impact and turned plenty of heads.

POWER WAGONS – RUGGED TO WILD

First introduced in 1946, the rugged Dodge Power Wagon has built a loyal following – especially among restoration enthusiasts. SEMA 2025 showcased a strong lineup of restored and customized examples, proving the Power Wagon’s legacy is as bold as ever.

SLAMMED

Built by Danny Derasmo of SIX12 Auto Worx (Nanuet, NY), this radical 1949 Dodge Power Wagon is a masterclass in modern fabrication. Featuring extensive 3D tech, CNC machining and carbon fiber work, the widened body – with custom suicide doors – sits atop a 2013 Ram 2500 chassis. Under the hood: a 6.7L Cummins diesel. Underneath: a full 4-link air-ride suspension. It rolls on massive one-off JTX Forged 30×16 wheels wrapped in 42-inch tires. A show-stopping build with a look all its own.

DESERT POWER WAGONS

Finished in striking Electric Green Metallic, this 1946 “Desert Power Wagon Crew Cab” is built on a Tisdale Coachworks body and packs serious muscle. Under the hood: a Stage I 5.9L 24-valve High-Output Cummins Turbo Diesel cranking out over 400 horsepower and 900 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed through a stout Randy’s Transmissions TorqueFlite and NV271 manual-shift transfer case. With a custom-fabbed 4-link suspension, Fox Racing coil-overs and 40-inch M/T Xtreme Dirt Tires, this bold machine is built to conquer anything the trail throws at it.

This 1946 Power Wagon features a full custom crew cab conversion with suicide doors and a 5.9L Cummins crate motor under the hood. It rides on 22-inch wheels, equipped with King racing shocks, a one-piece chassis and a heavy-duty front winch. Built in Lewisburg, TN, this rugged machine was three years in the making – and it shows in every detail.

JEEP_® VEHICLES AND MORE 4X4

SEMA is known for showcasing all types of specialized builds, and Jeep fans are never disappointed. From vintage rigs to modern trail machines, there’s no shortage of variety. This pair of Rubicon models – built by 3D Off Road (Colorado Springs, CO) – represent their signature “Built 2 Wander” spec, blending capability with adventure-ready style.

OLD-SCHOOL DODGE VAN

Rolling in from Wisconsin, this vintage 1973 Dodge B-200 short-wheelbase van brought serious old-school cred to the SEMA Show. A period-correct 4WD conversion, it came factory-equipped with a 318 V8 and TorqueFlite transmission. Originally from Santa Monica, CA, this survivor tackled countless off-road adventures through the wilds of Baja, Mexico. Who would’ve guessed – 52 years later – it would be turning heads on display at SEMA!

NHRA

Always holding prime real estate inside Central Hall, the NHRA booth at the SEMA Show didn’t disappoint. Among the Mopar highlights: the debut of M2 Machines’ 1:64-scale diecast 1966 Dodge Charger Gasser (limited to 7,000 pieces) and a Tony Stewart Direct Connection/Dodge handout – possibly a future drag racing collectible in the making.

WEST HALL

The West Hall is the newest addition to the Las Vegas Convention Center, and while it takes a bit of a walk to reach, it’s well worth it. Inside, the massive floor space is packed wall-to-wall with bold, colorful exhibits that make the journey worthwhile.

SEMA ART WALK

Tucked between the North and West Halls, the “Art Walk” is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates automotive fine art. Established years ago through the efforts of car show pioneer Bob Larivee, it remains the go-to spot at SEMA to meet top artists and view their latest creations. This year, Tom Fritz debuted an original oil-on-panel masterpiece – featuring a front-engine, supercharged HEMI dragster with weed-burner headers, spinning slicks, pulling the front wheels and proudly wearing an Isky Polydyne Profile Cams decal. As always, Fritz nails the authentic details.

Fritz also had a collection of early Top Fuel Dragster driver shots, complete with helmet, goggles and breather mask.

In tribute to his friendship with legendary HEMI engine builder Ed Pink (1931–2025), artist Tom Fritz created the stunning The Old Master – a piece capturing one of the top-performing dragsters of the mid-1960s. The featured car, built on a Don Long chassis, earned its place in history when Mike Snively drove it to victory at Bakersfield in 1965.

Artist Max Grundy owns a vintage Mopar in real life – and created this artwork to celebrate it. The car is a wild mashup: a 1960 Chrysler with a ’60 Dodge front clip, plus touches of DeSoto and Plymouth. Known as Finagld, the illustrated version became a fan-favorite “wall art” piece among Mopar enthusiasts at the show.

RAT FINK

Ed Roth (1932–2001) was a legendary hot rod artist known for his iconic “Weirdo Artwork.” His wild, imaginative style helped define an era – and thanks to licensing, his work remains available and as popular as ever.

SEMAFEST

SEMAFEST 2025 was all about music, car culture and motorsports – and it delivered big. The stage lineup included Queens of the Stone Age, The Black Crowes, Neon Trees and more, bringing serious energy to the crowd. A full-on concert experience surrounded by high-octane automotive action, it was a youth-driven celebration of speed, sound and style.

Author: James Maxwell