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The mild and wild custom debuts of SEMA 2013

You never know what sort of custom cars you'll see at the SEMA Show. From lightly modified Corvettes to insane 1,000-horsepower Hyundais, we've got the highlights right here.

Antuan Goodwin Reviews Editor / Cars
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Expertise Reviewing cars and car technology since 2008 focusing on electrification, driver assistance and infotainment Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
Antuan Goodwin
3 min read

LAS VEGAS -- The SEMA Show is always a bit of a madhouse, and the 2013 SEMA Show was no exception. There are thousands of parts to customize with for as far as the eye can see. There are suppliers for custom headlamp LEDs, premium paints, vinyl wrap, and speakers and wheels bigger than what makes practical sense.

But what we're interested in are the custom cars that are built from these parts. The show is crammed with hundreds of cars, many of which are commissioned or showcased by the automakers themselves using blends of OEM accessories and third-party parts. We've rounded up these customs right here for you ogling pleasure. Enjoy.

Honda debuts new Civic Coupe It's not often that we see new model debuts at the SEMA Show, but it was oddly appropriate that the car that helped start the Japanese import tuning craze saw its latest update unveiled among enthusiasts and modifiers. The 2014 Civic Coupe and Si Coupe feature more aggressive styling, cabin updates to match the sedan, and a slight performance bump.

Honda debuts, customizes 2014 Civic Si at SEMA 2013 (pictures)

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Hyundai shows off 1,000-horsepower Genesis Coupe and more
Hyundai has been bringing some serious firepower to the SEMA Show over the last few years thanks to its commitment to the tuner and racing crowds. This year was no exception with a selection of high-power, highly customized Veloster Turbos and Genesis Coupes, including the 1,000-horsepower Bisimoto Engineering Genesis Coupe.

Hyundai heats up the 2013 SEMA Show (pictures)

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Lexus and DeviantArt stretch the IS F-Sport
For its DeviantArt Design IS F-Sport custom, Lexus sifted through more than 600 design submissions from the DeviantArt community before settling on one ultrawide body winner penned by Robert Evans. This was then handed over to VIP Auto Salon, where the digital curves were made real. You've got to see it to believe it.

Lexus showcases ultrawide DeviantArt Design Challenge IS F-Sport (pictures)

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Mazda6 and Mazda3 for the street and track
Mazda is sort of the calm center of one of the most insane car shows on the planet, bringing just four tastefully modified examples of its Mazda6 and Mazda3 vehicles. The Club Sport 6 and Club Sport 3 are focused on boosting performance, while the Ceramic 6 and Vector 3 add a little style.

Mazda brings four understated concepts to SEMA 2013 (pictures)

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Chevrolet showcases attainable customs, unveils Z/28 Camaro
I honestly expected to see more 2014 Corvettes in Chevrolet's space at the SEMA Show; it is, of course, the automaker's new hotness. However, Chevy exercised restraint bringing a variety of vehicles that showcased its Genuine Accessories line of official upgrades for the Spark, Sonic, Camaro, and SS sedan. Lurking in the center of the space was the freshly unveiled Camaro Z/28 and its monster 7.0-liter, V-8 engine.

At SEMA, Chevrolet showcases Corvettes, Camaros, and more (pictures)

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The tC rules Scion's stand, but the FR-S runs the show
There were more FR-S and BRZ coupes at the SEMA Show than you can shake a stick at, but at the automaker's booth, the new 2014 tC ruled the roost with a trio of customs competing in the automaker's Tuner Challenge.

Custom coupes and stretch boxes: The many sides of Scion at SEMA (pictures)

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Mopar standards are joined by Fiat 500L
Those who forget that Chrysler and Fiat are related in the US were surprised to see a pair of customized 500L crossovers in the Mopar booth. Gaudy graphics and custom wheels don't do much to help the L's frumpy looks, but perhaps the active lifestyle buyers the automaker is courting will appreciate the Mopar accessory surf racks and performance upgrades showcased. Traditional Mopar fans will be happy to know that the staples of Charger, Challenger, Viper, and Jeep are there for perusal.

Chrysler flexes its Mopar muscle at SEMA 2013 (pictures)

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