SEMA 2011 Kickoff – So Many Custom Cars

Best of Custom Cars SEMA 2011

1969 AMC AMX – Project AMXess – OWNER – Jimi Day – Grafton, WI – BUILDER – D&Z Customs – Kewaskum, WI

SEMA always brings in the best. From the smallest, trick little nut or bolt you didn’t even know you needed to these, full-tilt, no expense spared custom hot rods and pro-touring rockets… SEMA’s the place to be for anything automotive. Chances are, if you’re reading MyRideisMe.com, you already know that, but this is the 2011 SEMA kickoff to show you just one taste of what will be there and let you know we’ll have lots more!

For your SEMA-tease, here’s AMXess. Our buddies over at Centerforce Clutch leaked this picture and info. You know we’re AMC fans since we ran this 1974 AMC Hornet concept drawing.

“AMXess” as it’s called, is a full on pro-touring AMX designed for the street and the track.  We’ve meshed the best of both performance and design by maintaining the iconic AMC heritage lines while updating the entire drive train and suspension package with todays state-of-the-art components.

AMXess runs parts from Centerforce Clutch, of course, but also a veritable “best of the best” when it comes to other hardware. Optima Battery, Spectre Performance intake, Ridetech Coliovers, Rushforth wheels, Vintage Air AC and a full suite of Auto Meter gauges. See the car at CenterForce Clutch display – booth #23835.

I bet this is the only LS-equipped car at SEMA this year! haahahaha..

Stay tuned for more and check out SEMA coverage from 2010.

You’ll especially like these: Best Engines from SEMA 2010 and a Best Custom Cars story to get you warmed up…

What are you looking for at SEMA?

Parts for the Ultimate Ride – New Power Brakes

Power Brakes and Steering from SEMA 2010

ABS Power Brake, Inc

Due to my recent brake failure adventure, brake companies were the first ones I went looking for at SEMA. I luckily found ABS Power Brake, Inc which provides “American Brake and Steering” component parts and kits. In business since 1979, ABS Power Brake provides kits as well as individual components for everything from classic trucks to custom rods.

They have some good possible fixes for my situation – such as a nifty compact dual-reservoir master cylinder – but they also had a couple of really impressive new products.

In addition to their fairly extensive line of disc brake kits they’ve added a new ABS 14” Big Brake Disc Kit with 2” Drop Spindles. If you need BIG brakes, these 14.5” rotors with 4-piston calipers could be just what your project demands.

Another new product they’re rolling out is an award-winning Best New Product. It’s an Electric High-Power Master Cylinder Kit that can generate up to 1,200 pounds of pressure all in one self-contained source! ABS Power Brake claims it offers the highest pressure and is the smallest system in the automobile after market industry.

And if they don’t carry that part you’re looking for? They can also design something custom made for your car. And believe me…you don’t want to take any chances with your brakes working correctly!

Recycled Rides Gets Families On the Road

Helping Families Out – One Car At A Time

I went to SEMA expecting to see all the new products and trends in the auto industry – I did not expect to be introduced to a philanthropic program helping families get back on their feet. But as I was at SEMA, I got to witness five families given the gift of a “Recycled Ride.”

Recycled Rides is a community awareness project of the National Auto Body Council (NABC). NABC members donate their time and services to refurbish cars that insurance companies donate. After a vehicle is repaired to like-new condition, Recycled Rides pairs with a local community organization to find a deserving family, then they to give it to them. The Las Vegas partner organization is Family Promise, an interfaith, non-profit organization helping homeless families in transition from a shelter to a home of their own.

Individuals who received cars ranged from two-parent families to single-parent Moms and Dads who’ve graduated from Family Promise’s Family Mentoring Program. Las Vegas’ mayor, Oscar Goodman, was also at SEMA to hand over the family’s new keys.

It was good to see the collision repair industry get together and give back to families in need. Not only these 5 families are receiving cars, over 150 families across the US will be given the gift of a Recycled Ride this year. It was awesome getting to experience the joy as these 5 families got a little help that will take them a long way. If you ‘d like more information – check out their websites at www.autobodycouncil.org or www.recycledrides.org.

Vintage Air Cools off SEMA 2010 – New Performance Parts

Vintage AC Parts from SEMA 2010

Growing up in California, the custom cars I knew didn’t have air conditioning.  Pop’s cars were always fast… that was the focus and it felt good trying to hold my head straight as the G-forces threw my head back as he rowed through the gears. Good times.  Plus, let’s face it, California doesn’t need air conditioning all the time… Now I live in Arizona. It’s a totally different story!

You name the ride here in Arizona, hot rods, muscle cars, most vintage cars are running air conditioning. Mid summer, the temps can hit 120+ (over 45C for everyone outside the USA) so AC keep us from melting! Like the Mustang, GTO, 55-56 Chevy and Covette air conditioning we’re featuring here, my Ford Falcon Wagon will have some strong, COLD AC! That’s where Vintage Air comes in.

Cruising SEMA 2010, I wanted to find AC parts that would be easy to install, last forever and come with great support. The guys from Vintage Air fit the bill.  The first thing I asked is: How will I control the AC? My Falcon didn’t have AC (or would have been under-dash AC)?
With parts like these. Any 3 or 4 lever heater control can be retrofit to operate your brand new air conditioning system.  Notice the red-circled area? Those are what’s called potentiometers. They hook in line with the factory controls to vary voltage to change the blower speed or temperature.  The only reason that’s possible is that every part of the Gen IV Vintage Air AC system is electronic. No more vacuum or cables to mess with. Vintage Air pre-makes AC control kits for popular models like Mustangs, Corvettes, GTO’s and Chevelles and such, but they have universal kits too that are 100% “Do it yourself” easy to install.

Look under the dash of your hot rod and this is NOT the air conditioning system you’ll see! The high tech on board include electronic control for temperature, air location control (blend) and fan speed. Just like a modern car, have 30% defrost and 70% on your feet. That’s the blend. Try doing that with your factory 60′s AC!

You get AC parts for your vintage ride like this when you get started way back in 1976. Vintage Air builds just about everything short of their compressors and condensors in their 55,000 square foot building in San Antonio, TX. From the molding, bending, CNC cutting and fitting, it’s done in house. That’s the best way to control quality, we all know that: Do it yourself.

Unfortunately, my 1963 Ford Falcon wagon is just outside the mainstream. Vintage Air has a kit for 64-65 Falcons, but not the 63′s. When an AC kit is pre-made, you know it’ll work because they bring the car in, like the 1966-72 Chevelle shown here, then fit a brand new air conditioning system in a  factory AC car and one without AC. That way, which ever model you own, there’ll be no surprises. Dig the vintage corvette control panel with AC controls that mimic the factory setup. Best of both worlds!

Guys, want to borrow my Falcon?

Feeling pretty comfortable with the easy to install, support and quality, one last question: What should I use for AC vents?
Since my Falcon never had AC, I don’t have vents and I don’t want any nasty RV-camper-styled vents in my custom car. No problem there because I’ve got a bunch to choose from. Click on the pics to see the AC vent selection full size.

Finally, a little eye candy featuring Vintage Air products… This is the Ring Brothers built 1970 Mustang Fastback:

Certainly one of the baddest custom cars at SEMA 2010, you probably already know this is the Ring Brother’s 1970 Ford Mustang fastback known as the “Dragon”. The Ring Brothers choose Vintage Air for all of their projects and the Dragon is no exception running a Gen IV Magnum Universal System along with the Vintage Air Small Block Ford Front Runner belt drive system.

So watch for a custom how-to/tech piece when I install AC in my Falcon. It no option here in Arizona, so now that I’ve got my source covered, I just gotta get the work done.  Think I’m on the right track?  What’s been your experience with Vintage Air?

SATA Auto Paint Guns – Coolest Displays at SEMA

Sata Spray Guns -Best Product Display at SEMA 2010

How funny is that dude in the reflection?!

At some point walking SEMA, just before your legs give out and you hear a very nearby bar calling your name, there’s always one more thing to draw you back in.  Often that’s a booth babe or some amazing custom car, but sometimes it’s something so creative you owe that vendor a much closer look!

Check this short video from SATA Paint Guns display at SEMA 2010:

See what’s happening there?  The SATA guys put together a fantastic display that included this table of SATA auto guns all following people as they walked by.  A  discretely mounted camera nearby made it all happen… that and some pretty trick controls! How cool is that?! I think most people, like me, didn’t even know they were being followed, but once they saw it agreed. Very cool!

Couple the freaky paint guns with the tried and true hot rods and customs in your booth and you see why SATA had one of the best at SEMA 2010.  The Chip Foose influenced 2010 Camaro SS you might recognize, but have you seen this hot rod before? They guys tell me it’s a 32, 33, 34, 36 Ford Coupe. Confused?

Built by Ken Reister’s rod shop in Littleton, CO (Ken, where’s your website??) this car has over 1000 hand made parts that blend the best of 32-36 Ford Coupes into one incredibly fine package. Hiding under the hood is a Ford SVO 392 running Kinsler fuel injection converted to electronic. Appearantly, the way it burns those skinny rears has to do with it’s nickname, “Lightning Rod”. With two Ridler Awards to his credit and one America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Awards, Ken’s a builder to know and watch.

Along with the hot rods, SATA featured airbrush artists painting live all week. The photo up top is part of this collection.  I want the pin-up model on the “SATA at Bonneville” in the top corner. Two of my favorite things!!

Wrapping up the “Best of SEMA” displays, this was FUN!  SATA has a training program that simulates using their SATAjet 4000B paint gun. That’s me in action showing that I ain’t a painter. I was able to make some improvements on my second test. I improved from a 389 to 501 mostly by controlling the gun distance better… but I watched a dude just before me shoot a week’s highest 689 that probably won a prize or maybe a job somewhere!

I started talking with Director of Sales and Marketing at SATA Tony Larimer who explained some of the benefits of the new SATAjet 4000B and in particular the “RP” or reduced pressure paint guns. They also make an HVLP (High Volume, Low Pressure) paint gun as well, but I wanted to know what would be best for home painters, so we talked about the RP version.

Due out in February, the SATAjet 400oB RP is newer than new, but looks to be worth waiting for. Tony recommended the RP for some solid reasons:

• 17-32 psi max pressure (so no big-time air compressor needed) – Only 10.2 cfm at 32 psi
• The HVLP spray gun is a paint, “Super Saver” where the RP spray gun gives “Super Speed”
• With the reduced pressure at the aircap and advanced nozzle design, this spray gun give you:
  • Transfer efficiency higher than the HVLP 65% rule yet
  • Faster working speed and great atomization – Think “more paint on the panel” not in the air

Sounds good, but it’d be nice to try them both or work out a great how-to for paint. Tony, I’ll be in touch!

So does this get your vote as the best display at SEMA? For more info about SATA paint guns, check out their website: http://www.sata.com

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