The GM Futureliner and other unique automotive sights from Las Vegas (pictures)

This GM Futureliner was on display at SEMA. It is a rare example of a vehicle built by GM in the 1940s for exhibitions.

The "Parade of Progress" Futureliner features a flourescent lighting module that rises from the roof to help light its exhibition area.

The display side of the Futureliner opens up. This example illustrates a jet engine and the different planes it powers.

Velocity Wheels hosts La Mona Lisa, a custom truck build from Big V Designs, in its SEMA booth.

This tire, designed for construction equipment, is about 6 feet high and fits around a 35-inch wheel.

BMW brought a little history to SEMA. Defying all the customized cars around this fine example of a 2002 tii includes round tail lights.

Mercedes-Benz is launching a new mid-size work van in the US called the Metris next year, and gave us a sneak peak at SEMA with several modified versions, including this DJ van.

This 1961 Volkswagen 21 window bus has been fitted with a 2.2-liter four cylinder engine making 210 horsepower and an air suspension, letting it sit low.

The Mopar booth at SEMA showed off the 572 Hemi crate engine, a carbuerreted V-8 with over 9 liters of displacement. This engine makes 650 horsepower and 660 pound-feet of torque.

Polaris, maker of all-terrain vehicles, brought its new Slingshot three-wheeler to SEMA. The Slingshot runs on a 2.4-liter engine and is street legal.

Savini offers a wide range of finishes for its wheels, with color choices ranging from red to white to aqua, along with two-tones.

Savini fits a blue finish custom wheel to a Lamborghini Huracan.

Vision Wheel showcased this 1/3 size monster truck, the Southern Crush, which appears at exhibition events driven by 16 year old Pleasant Cook.

Southern Crush, also known as 4x4 Barbie, makes use of four wheel steering and runs a 1.6-liter four cylinder engine.

American Force had its latest two piece truck wheels on display, with a variety of different finishes available.

This Camaro sits up high on custom, 32-inch Rock N Starr wheels from Starr Wheel Group.

For Continental, size matters. The company put its Untamed Innovation Tour Truck on the SEMA show floor. Boasting carbon fiber panels, this tractor tows a mobile showroom for Continental's automotive components.

In a simple display on the show floor, Goodyear showed off a wide variety of new tires for vintage cars.

This beach bum customized Chevy Nomad features hand-carved woody sides.

A nice tiki bar sets up in the back of the Chevy Nomad.

Ford offered the opportunity to race these remote control cars in its outside exhibition area.

A river of Mustangs, covering all eras, circled Ford's outside exhibition area. These cars were driven by their owners to Las Vegas as part of the American Pony Drive's celebration of Mustang's 50th anniversary.

Even the Fox body Mustang got representation, as exemplified by this SVT Cobra version.

Custom build shop Welderup brought a number of its creations to SEMA, including the Gasser, a 1955 Chevy 150. This build uses a 498 cubic inch supercharged V-8.

La Bestioni, also know as Rusty One, began life as a 1917 fire engine, but has been converted to represent a boat-tail vintage racing car.

Daystar, maker of aftermarket 4x4 parts, brought this custom creation to SEMA. Based on a Jeep Forward Control 170, it sports a 5.7-liter Hemi engine, and is seen here running tracks.

A Mattracks track set converts the FC 170 to a tracked vehicle, making it ready for ice and snow.