Yesterday the annual aftermarket extravaganza, the Speciality Equipment Manufacturers Association Show (SEMA Show), opened its doors in Las Vegas, Nevada. The major manufacturers traditionally also have a strong presence on the floor to showcase their aftermarket bits on specifically created show cars. Although slightly more modest, the big three were once again well represented in Las Vegas. Today we take a look at three of their best offerings.
General Motors brought out various Camaro based concepts. Our favourite was this Camaro Jay Leno Concept, built for the Late Night Talk Show Host it is named after. It is powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the direct injection V6 found in the base model. The turbos have lifted the power to a commendable 425 bhp but the engine is nevertheless capable of very frugal driving. Needless to say, it also sports a more aggressive body-kit.
Both Ford and Chrysler presented drag-racing inspired machinery. The special Mustang FR500 Cobra Jet on display provides a preview of the upcoming 50-car production run of the Mustang drag-racers. It is less likely that the Dodge Moper Challenger 1320 will make to the quarter-mile or 1320 feet strips.
Every time we go out to visit events we expand our archives with more photography and quite often we get new opportunities to shoot cars that have already been featured on Ultimatecarpage.com. This week we have updated our features on two great cars with some of the new material. The first is the Lancia D24, which one of the great sports racers of its day. It was particularly successful in the great road races, taking the outright victory in the Carrera Panamericana, Targa Florio and Mille Miglia. The pictured example is one of two survivors and the only one in private hands. Where the Lancia was the last of the line, the M19A brought McLaren back to their winning ways in 1972. We first saw Denny Hulme's South African Grand Prix winner at the 2006 Monaco Historic Grand Prix where it was damaged in an accident. Fortunately, it was fully repaired two years later so we had another opportunity to shoot the successful Formula 1 racer.

Enjoy the links:

2009 Chevrolet Camaro Jay Leno Concept - Images, Specifications and Information

2009 Dodge Mopar Challenger 1320 - Images, Specifications and Information

2010 Ford Mustang FR500 Cobra Jet - Images, Specifications and Information

1953 - 1954 Lancia D24 Sport Pinin Farina Spyder - Images, Specifications and Information

1971 McLaren M19A Cosworth - Images, Specifications and Information