The stuff that comes out of the SEMA auto show is usually so inherently ludicrous that we can scarcely imagine what those vehicles would be like outside of the show floor and out on the tarmac. Lucky for us, the hosts of the Motor Trend YouTube channel were able to pull some strings and take a surprising mix of vehicles out for a good ‘ol drag race.
Well, sort of. Turns out the exhibitors at the SEMA trade show know better than to hand out their custom cars out to presenters who want to rocket them full speed across an airport runway, but while only two hosts got companies to lend them a car, all four managed to bring something interesting to the table.
First up, host Mike Finnegan brings his own customized Hemi-powered ’55 Chevrolet “Blasphemi” Bel Air, powered by a 5.3-liter HEMI eight-cylinder engine, designed for drag racing. Next, Mike Sabounchi seems to have overestimated the capabilities of his modified 2013 Chevy Sonic RS, but hopes to get by on looks. Jessie Lang arrives with a HEMI V8 of her own, specifically the supercharged 6.2-liter nestled under the hood of the factory fresh Dodge Challenger Hellcat. Lastly, host Fred Williams nails the spirit of the competition by showing up in a restored 1950s era Jeep FC170 that just so happens to be mounted on tank tracks.
We’re not going to blow the results for you, but it’s interesting to see vehicles from a wide spectrum of segments meet together under the banner of aftermarket customization, then duking it out to see who’s fastest in a straight line. No matter who wins, it’s a blast to watch custom cars come to life in motion, as they were intended.
