We brought you our “Top Truck Picks” from SEMA 2014 and our Top Hot Rods & Customs, along with our LIVE SEMA Show coverage, so now it’s time to see what the rest of the show had to offer. The Slam’d Mag crew was on the lookout all week hunting down the best of the best brought from all over the world to the show floors in Las Vegas. When it came time to narrow down the choices for our Slam’d “Top Late-Model and Luxury Car Picks” of SEMA there were plenty of amazing rides to choose from, and as mentioned before – we could easily add 100 more rides to this list. But we feel that those chosen below represent some of the very best late-model customs that the automotive industry has to offer. Check out our Slam’d “Top Picks” below for the final wrap up of our Slam’d SEMA Show Coverage:
LATE-MODEL & LUXURY
Nick Fousekis’ “DV8” Porsche 911
For our performance motorsports inspired pick, we chose Falken Tire’s extremely clean Porsche 911 built by Race Tech Services (RTS) and owned and by Motorsports Marketing Manager, Nick Fousekis. Being constantly surrounded by amazing Porsches all day long with Falken Tire’s GT3 race program, it’s no wonder that Nick’s weapon of choice for this year’s SEMA show was a Porsche 911, with a mashup of mods executed to perfection. The first order of business was to “spice things up a bit” and piss a few people off in the process by dropping an American V8 into a Porsche. As unusual as this might sound, it’s becoming a more affordable way to produce reliable power in these performance machines, and there’s a actually a shop called Renegade Hybrids that specializes in manufacturing LS and V8 swaps. Nick entrusted his engine build to them and then RTS wrapped up the build by hunting down and installing a true GT3 complete widebody aero kit. Of course an aggressive wheel/tire package was on deck for the build, and Falken rubber wrapping the deep Vintage series HREs, which fits the build to perfection. The result is the amazing “DV8” Porsche 911 in all it’s glory. Stay tuned for more of this exquisite machine right here as an upcoming Slam’d Mag feature, and be on the lookout for a full line of RTS and DV8 suspension and aero parts coming early 2015!
KEG Media 2014 Audi A5 Quattro “DISTLD”
KEG Media is no stranger to the custom ring. Robbie Bryant, owner of KEG, cut his teeth on lowered custom cars and trucks more than two decades ago. As a custom industry veteran he has since moved on to specialize in custom lifted truck builds, but at this year’s SEMA he was out to make a statement: “We still do lowered too!” and that statement rung true with the build of this stunning Audi A5. Utilizing a complete Rieger Tuning full RS5 body kit conversion and exhaust painted and installed by Complete Customs and a full custom suspension and Alpine audio built by Dorbritz Designs and Garage Werks this thing is definitely as badass as it looks. Other details include the AccuAir B8 air suspension kit, Viair Compressors and seamless tanks from Specialty Suspension along with the very aggressive 20×10.5 Niche Road Wheels 3-piece Misano wrapped in Toyo Tires. We will be bringing you the exclusive feature on this beast in our upcoming SEMA Special Issue, dropping next week!
Photos: Mike Alexander, Lindsey Fisher, Johnny O | Words: Lindsey Fisher & Mike Alexander
Airth Defined’s 2013 Mercedes CLS 550
Built by Airth Defined Hot Rods for Jose Ceja Jr., this 2013 CLS is absolutely stunning in person. We had seen pics of it floating around Social Media for awhile now, but photos just don’t do this thing justice. We’ll be hoping to change that with a full feature right here in Slam’d Mag coming soon! Not many people have the cajones to cut up a $100k luxury car, but when it’s done right – THIS is what happens, pure epicness (yes, this thing warrants the use of the word “epic” and exemplifies every facet of the meaning!). Starting with a fresh 2013 CLS 550 Jose entrusted the team at Airth Defined to lay his car as low as possible on the perfect set of Vossen VSF1 wheels, while still maintaining drivability and reliability since this is his daily. With a one-off custom trunk setup, and the perfect stance achieved front and rear – we certainly can’t wait to get this one in front of our cameras for more, stay tuned!
John Yepremia’s 2013 Chrysler 300
Low-slung and ready to roll, this slammed 2013 Chrysler 300 is owned by John Prims Yepremia of California. Fairly stock under the hood with an SCT tuned Pentestar V6 engine, featuring an Airaid intake and Magnaflow exhaust, the SS Motorsports-built Chrysler’s claim to fame is definitely its low-rolling stance. Giving the car that menacing demeanor is a full Air Lift Performance air suspension setup hovering over the killer Toyo-wrapped Avant Garde (AG) forged wheels, with Specialty Suspension’s seamless air tanks handling the air capacity duties. R1 Concepts brake setup gives the car plenty of stopping power while Killer Waxx always keeps her clean. To top off the Chrysler, an Aimgain International body kit and custom double sunroof were added to help set it apart from the rest – and yup, it totally worked!
“Mad Max” 2011 Chevy Camaro
At the wild end of the American Muscle spectrum is this Mad Max style Chevy Camaro, built by Leif’s Garage of Portland, Oregon. Based on a 2011 LT V6 Camaro, the beast you see here has seen a complete transformation with the build amazingly taking only about 6 months to complete. That transformation comes via custom paint and body work as well as a Seibon Carbon dry carbon hood and decklid, Spyder lighting, custom powder coating, and Hurst graphics, as well as and a whole gamut of performance upgrades. Powering the slammed pro-street Camaro is a blown 496ci Chevy engine with an 8-71 blower from The Blower Shop. This massive engine is backed by a Tremec T56 Magnum transmission tied to a Currie 9-inch rearend with a 4.58 Strange Engineering locker. Supporting the massive 22×8.5-inch front and 24×14-inch Asanti wheels wrapped with Pirelli tires is a custom air setup using the factory arms and Air Lift Performance struts up front and a custom 4-link in the back. Certainly not your traditional slammed ride, we like this Camaro for its bold approach in combining power with a low-slung appearance.
Other Top Late-Model Cars From SEMA 2014:
