Autoblog

The SEMA show is a labor of love in that it takes a lot of hard work to cover it properly, but there are few places on earth we'd rather be. While we often spend 10-12 hours on the show floor looking for the best (and worst) vehicles to post on Autoblog, sometimes we also get the chance to have a little fun.

Across from the press room was a hidden cove with two plasma monitors attached to a pair of XBOX 360s. Continental Tire was hosting an XBOX Challenge, and Forza Motorsport 2 was the chosen battlefield. Our own John Neff typically spends his free time enjoying his console of choice, and Forza 2 is often his disc of choice. Our Editor in Chief jumped at the chance to compete for such prizes as an iPod and a set of high-end Kicker speakers, and we were there to tape the results. Click play to watch the video above, and then hit the jump to see whether John walked away with a prize.

click above image to view more high-res live shots of this perfect Pantera

Hi-Lustre had a really black, really shiny 1973 DeTomaso Pantera on display at this year's 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. It's a car that takes us back to wild and wacky days when Bricklins, Bertones and DeLoreans were much more familiar sights on mean Midwestern streets. Panteras were so magical for us that at one point when we did some childhood time in Indiana, we tried to trade our little metal Lamborghini for a friend's little metal Pantera, and he wouldn't do it. We haven't spoken since.

Before there was a heavy metal band with the same name, this car was the panther that made the most noise. We're still not fans of the plastic front bumper, but as for the rest, it's just as pretty as it was 34 years ago, well before the car turned into a cladded monstrosity. And we really think we could raise a family in that engine bay... or at least eat off of it, if nothing else. Of course, this car is another reminder of Ford's regrettable ownership escapades with high-line European automakers, but we're trying to put that behind us. Be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res pics of the Pantera nero.

click above image to view high-res pics of the Novitech Ferrari 599

The South Hall at SEMA is ridiculously packed. Our suspicion is that it has something to do with that hall hosting the rim and tire makers and tuned up rides and models, as opposed to smaller fare like air cleaners. But that's just a theory. Stumbling through the aisles, just past the Lexani booth, we looked to the right and spotted this: a Novitec Ferrari 599 GTB. The real reason we noticed it is because we aren't fans of the 599 -- too many intersecting lines and convexities. But this is the car that has changed that.

Novitec has done a nice, very subtle workover, and then painted it all black. The car gets Novitec parts such as a front spoiler, side skirts, rear diffuser, black side markers and tail lamps, black LED brake lamp, and a black rear reflector set. Inside is a Novitec aluminum pedal set for the driver, and aluminum footrests for driver and passenger. Finally, the car rides on a Novitec coil-over suspension and anti-sway bars. It also got a set of Ferrari center caps for the wheels on the left side, but Novitec center caps on the left side. Even like that, we'd still pay full retail for it. Be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res pics.

click above image to view more pics of this bright orange Gemballa Mirage GT

The folks at H&R had this Gemballa Mirage GT sitting in their area at SEMA, and even though it was real orange, it was real purty. We'll take an orange Gemballa, however, over a glitter one any day. Unfortunately, although there was an H&R logo on the hood, no one at the booth could tell us anything about it. With the added carbon fiber bits over the "regular" Mirage, it looks to be a Black Edition Mirage: check out the carbon fiber inserts in the side skirts, the carbon fiber struts for the mirrors, and the black strip of CF weave in the hood. And those afterburner exhaust tips? Oh yeah. Check it all out in the gallery of hi-res pics.

click above image to view more detail pics of the beechwood Scion xD

It's a Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe on a Scion xD budget. So the Drophead uses teak for its rear deck where Dalek uses beechwood, but it's wood nonetheless, right? The wood out back is actually a bit much (that rear armrest simply can't be comfortable), but the rest of the car rings the right notes. The speedster windshield and chop give the car a nice landspeeder-on-wheels look, and the exterior details have been shrunk -- like the mirrors -- or muted, like the black chrome badging. Inside the car is packed, but much of the stuff is hidden like the monitor, most of the sound system, and even champagne flutes that the makers claim is there, but we couldn't find. And what speedster doesn't look better or go faster with a skull for a gearshift knob? Follow the jump for the full specs, and be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res shots.

click above image to view more detail shots of the Ron English Scion tC

It's Warhol again, with his dictum that "art is what you can get away with." Exhibit A: a purple scion bedecked in buttons of "ying-yang" art that randomly light up like a christmas tree. Look closely at the pic above and you can see that some yin-yangs are brighter than others because they're lit through the bodywork. We're not especially big fans of the billet wheels, eiher. There's something a bit too, oh... ugly... about them. Nevertheless, the car got our attention (it was blinking, after all), and isn't that what art is supposed to do? The neatest things about the car for our money (or our show pass, as it were), were the holograms over the windows with some 3-headed alien chicken-looking-thing, and an Eragon-ish dragon. The actual artwork on the car was done by pop artist Ron English, whose other well known work is starting to freak us out. Follow the jump for the full specs, and be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res pics.

click above image for more high-res pics of the Ridemakerz Scions

Ridemakerz and Scion have joined forces on a program that lets you create your very own Scion "Ride" without the hassle of credit checks and car insurance. Seven customization steps allow 649 million unique tuning possibilities for your toy car, and when you're all finished, you get a 12-inch-long Scion xB in fiberglass-over-foam. It comes with custom plates of your choosing and a Certificate of Title that has a RIN -- Ride Identification Number. And if you want to go all out, you can even add radio control. Check out the 7:8 full-scale (or so) 5Axis model from Troy Sumitomo that the company had on display. Follow the jump for the press release, and be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res pics.

click above image to view more pics of the Phantom Hummer

The people who make the Phantom Hummer want you to know that your imagination is their only limitation. Of course, if this is what resides in your imagination, there are probably people you should contact before you call Phantom Hummer. The doors were locked so we couldn't see why the roof needed to be replaced with a black hump, but we're sure there's a very good reason -- like it holds a bladder of champagne that is misted over the occupants via sprinklers in the headliner... Or something like that. To our eye, the only thing missing was a platinum chain hanging from the neck of the winged mascot. So if you'll excuse me, I need to make a phone call...

click above image to view more pics of the Hyundai "Beach Cruiser" Concept

We really don't know what to say about the Hyundai Elantra Touring "Beach Cruiser" Concept, except that you probably shouldn't take it to the beach... or anywhere else... except for a long drive... off a short pier, which could count as a beach activity.

Mind you, we're not talking about the car, which underneath is the new Elantra Touring that will begin production soon. Beneath that Amazing Grape and Tango Orange wood paneling paint job, the five-door hatch appears to have some nice lines, even if they are reminiscent of the first gen Ford Focus. It also looks like it will lend itself well to being dropped and tuned, just not like this. Although, we do dig the artistic piece of pin striping on the hood. And first prize goes to the person who guesses how many Hyundai H logos there are on the car... Hint: look at the grilles, speaker ones included.

click above image for more high-res pics of the Jetta TDI Cup Racer

Racing diesels are the thing to have nowadays, and VW will get into the game next year with its Jetta TDI clean diesel cup racer. The Jetta TDI will form the basis of a 1-make series in the U.S. run at up to 8 venues and sanctioned by the SCCA. The Jettas will all be owned, prepared by, and maintained by Volkswagen. Each will have the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 170 HP and close to 300 lb-ft when kitted for racing. Shifting will also be handled by a 6-speed auto with DSG. And not only will the race series be diesel clean, it will also be carbon free. Follow the jump to read the press release and be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res pics below.

[Source: Volkswagen]