Thursday, March 29, 2018


Porsche septuplet  at SEMA 2017

The author is not a Porschephile, but there were a number of interesting Porsche builds at the 2017 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) trade show, so today we offer a cross-section of different styles and genres of seven Porsches seen at SEMA 2017.




Shown outside on the Silver Lot was this Porsche 993 (the last of the air cooled 911 models) modified by RAUH-Welt Begriff (RWB) a Japan-based builder of custom “wide bodies” for Porsche 911 series.   According to the RWB website the company which started in a small shop in Japan by “Nakai-san” (Akira Nakai) now has locations in both Northern and Southern California. According to the RWB website this body kit costs $22,000 and the wheels add $5500.


Parked outside in front of the Central Hall was a pair of Porsches shown by AccuAir Suspension which designs and manufactures air suspension systems for all vehicle types. Both of these Porsches are owned by Brian Henderson who together with partner Jason Whipple owns Rotiform Wheels which builds “Monoblock” one-piece low pressure cast and three-piece forged custom wheels. Both of these cars were modified by AccuAir Suspension installer Sadistic Iron Werks of Hesperia California just weeks before the SEMA show.
 
 

This Porsche 356B Super 90 Coupe appeared stock aside from the air suspension, the custom wheels and the low profile, rubber band like tires.
 
 
 


This Porsche 911 Carrera known to the factory as the 991.2 is powered by a water-cooled 182-cubic inch turbocharged flat-six cylinder engine. Yes the car sits very low at rest - the turbocharger actually touched the ground.


 


Most of the attention in the AkzoNobel paint booth at SEMA 2017 was focused on the hot rod and custom car builds from Kindigit Design, and lost in the “reality TV frenzy” was this good-looking early seventies rally-styled Porsche 911 Carrera RS.

 


The booth of another paint company, Valspar Prospray, featured a 1960 Porsche 356B super 90 coupe built “outlaw” style which uses the original body but with performance upgrades. This car known as “Blau Grau” (translated to Blue-Grey) for its unique color was built by Matt Howard’s Deluxe Customs in Tempe Arizona which specializes in early Porsche and Volkswagen restorations.


 


The Spyder Auto booth featured this Porsche 997 (the second generation of water-cooled 911s) which had been shown with a different wrap at the Toyo Tires display at the 2016 SEMA show. The car which mimics the “slant nose” style of the Porsche 935 was built by IDL Designs using a body kit produced by Old & New from Hiroshima Japan.  You can purchase the body kit for 1,550,000 yen (approximately $14,000) plus shipping taxes and installation.  The wrap which appears to an homage to the famed Martini & Rossi racing Porsches was applied by Impressive Wraps using 3M brand film.    Spyder Auto offers a complete range of automotive lighting that includes fog lights, crystal and projector headlights, and taillights.  





 
 
Last but not least is the Magnus Walker Urban Outlaw shop built Porsche 911 S RT. Most striking to the author were the louvers on top of the 911's fender completed by metalsmith Rod Emory of Emory Motorsports. The car powered by 2.5 liter twin plug  (two spark plugs per cylinder) engine debuted at the 2017 SEMA show.  


 
All photos by the author

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