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What do you get when you cross DeviantART and an old Toyota engine? A Lexus SEMA car

When most carmakers want to build an outrageous customized vehicle for the annual SEMA show, they usually turn to their own designers or a well-regarded aftermarket company. Not Lexus.

For the 2013 SEMA show, Lexus turned to deviantART’s online community for ideas for a custom 2014 IS 350. The Japanese luxury brand held a contest and built a real-life version of the winner’s design.

Lexus says it received over 600 submissions, which were combed through by four judges.

The winning design from deviantART-ist Robert Evans will be unveiled at Lexus’ SEMA booth on November 5, the show’s opening day. It reportedly covers all of the custom bases, featuring a unique body kit, wheels, interior, and paint job.

In addition to the crowdsourced IS, Lexus will bring eight other cars to SEMA. The lineup includes five 2014 IS models, a first-generation 2004 IS 300, a second-generation 2007 IS 250 and, overshadowing all of them, a 2012 LFA supercar.

Like most SEMA builds, these cars feature bigger wheels and tires, more aggressive styling and louder colors; it’s all necessary for attracting attention in the crowded Las Vegas Convention Center, where every car is wearing some kind of modification.

Of special note is the 2014 “IS 340,” a brand-new car that’s had its drivetrain removed and replaced with the legendary 2JZ-GTE inline-six – known for its use in the fourth-generation Toyota Supra – and a five-speed manual transmission. A Lexus with a stick shift? You don’t see one of those every day.

Check out the photos of Lexus’ 2013 SEMA show cars, and watch this space for more updates.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
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