The SEMA Show has once again transformed the Las Vegas Convention Center into a paradise for automotive enthusiasts, bringing together some of the world’s most outrageous custom cars, high-performance machines, modified trucks and extreme off-road vehicles. From a 1,200-hp six-wheeled Ferrari Testarossa to a 940-hp Chevrolet C-10 and an electrified Jeep Recon concept, this year’s event demonstrates just how far automotive creativity can go.
Recognised as the world’s largest aftermarket, tuning and custom automotive exhibition, the annual SEMA Show attracts more than 150,000 visitors and occupies an enormous exhibition space stretching approximately one mile from end to end. Across its four indoor halls and extensive outdoor displays, the event showcases everything from manufacturer-developed concept vehicles to ambitious one-off creations from independent builders and specialist workshops.
As always, some of the most exciting vehicles are completed just in time for their SEMA debuts. This year’s selection is particularly diverse, combining American muscle, European supercar styling, Japanese performance engineering, classic truck restorations and next-generation electric off-road technology.
Here are 10 of the most remarkable custom cars, trucks and concepts attracting attention at SEMA 2026.
1. 1977 Chevrolet C-10: A 940-HP Squarebody Built for a Good Cause
The Chevrolet C-10 remains one of the most popular foundations for American custom truck projects, and this 1977 example demonstrates exactly why the classic Squarebody platform continues to attract serious attention.
Created by builders Jeff Lutz and Clay Millican, the extensively modified pickup combines traditional American truck styling with serious Pro Street performance. Its centrepiece is a massive big-block V8 equipped with Edelbrock and Musi carburetion, producing an impressive 940 horsepower.
However, this particular build has a purpose beyond horsepower figures and show-floor attention. The truck will be auctioned for charity, with the proceeds supporting TechForce Foundation scholarships for students pursuing careers in skilled trades.
It is a combination of American automotive heritage, high-performance engineering and charitable ambition that makes this Chevrolet C-10 one of the more meaningful builds at this year’s SEMA Show.
2. Gas Monkey Garage Ferrari F6: A Six-Wheeled Testarossa With 1,200 HP
If there is one vehicle capable of capturing the outrageous spirit of SEMA, it is the Ferrari F6 from Gas Monkey Garage.
Based on the iconic Ferrari Testarossa, this extraordinary six-wheeled creation takes the original Italian supercar concept into completely unfamiliar territory. The body has been extended by approximately one metre to accommodate the additional rear axle, resulting in a dramatically altered silhouette.
Even more surprising is what sits beneath the bodywork. Instead of Ferrari’s original flat-12 engine, the F6 uses a Katech-developed Chevrolet LT4 V8 fitted with a supercharger.
The result is approximately 1,200 horsepower delivered to the four rear wheels.
A substantial rear wing, redesigned suspension, larger wheels and Michelin tyres complete the transformation. While purists might question the decision to replace the original Ferrari powertrain, there is no denying that the F6 represents exactly the kind of engineering excess that makes the SEMA Show so entertaining.
3. Idemitsu Honda Prelude Type R: A Performance Coupe Honda Hasn’t Built
Honda’s new Prelude has already attracted attention for bringing the company’s elegant coupe formula back to the market. However, Idemitsu has presented a rather different interpretation of what the Japanese sports coupe could become.
The Idemitsu Honda Prelude Type R combines the latest Prelude body with the performance hardware associated with the Civic Type R.
At its heart is Honda’s K20C1 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, paired with a six-speed manual transmission featuring rev-matching technology. This combination gives the concept a much more traditional enthusiast-focused character than the standard Prelude.
The exterior has also received a series of functional and visual upgrades, including a larger front grille designed to improve cooling, a deeper front splitter and a prominent rear wing.
Honda has not announced plans to introduce a factory-built Prelude Type R, making this Idemitsu creation particularly interesting. It offers a glimpse of what could happen if Honda decided to give its revived coupe a more aggressive performance identity.
4. 1946 Dodge Power Wagon: A Classic American Truck Reimagined
Classic American trucks remain an important part of the SEMA experience, and this 1946 Dodge Power Wagon is a particularly impressive interpretation of the genre.
Built in Canada, the stone-grey pickup retains the unmistakable character of the original Power Wagon while introducing a completely redesigned four-door crew-cab configuration.
The vehicle sits on a custom Tisdale Coachworks chassis and is powered by a 5.9-litre Cummins diesel engine, delivering a combination of traditional truck proportions and modern diesel performance.
The attention to detail is particularly impressive. Hidden hinges, a flush-fitting windscreen and carefully integrated body modifications give the truck a cleaner appearance without completely abandoning its historical identity.
The cargo bed features satin-black Carbon Series hardwood supplied by BedWood, providing an attractive contrast to the grey exterior.
Rather than simply restoring a classic Dodge, its builders have created a modern interpretation of one of America’s most recognisable workhorse vehicles.
5. 1965 Pontiac GTO Convertible ‘Billie’: A Supercharged American Muscle Legend
Ringbrothers has built a reputation for creating some of the most sophisticated American muscle car restomods, and its latest project, named Billie, continues that tradition.
Based on a 1965 Pontiac Tempest Convertible and transformed into a GTO-inspired creation, Billie celebrates the legendary muscle car formula through extensive engineering and contemporary materials.
The body is five inches wider than the original, with carbon-fibre doors, redesigned front wings, widened rear wings and extended rocker panels. The result is a much more muscular stance while retaining the unmistakable proportions of the classic Pontiac.
Power comes from a supercharged Chevrolet LT4 V8 developed by Wegner Motorsports. The engine sends its power through a Bowler 10-speed automatic transmission, bringing modern drivetrain technology into a classic American convertible.
The name Billie is also a playful reference to the GTO’s famous Greatest of All Time nickname.
For enthusiasts of American muscle cars, this is one of the standout combinations of traditional design and modern performance at SEMA 2026.
6. 1962 Ford F-250 ‘Dirty Humor’: An Ice Cream Truck With a Hot-Rod Attitude
Not every remarkable SEMA build needs a supercharged V8 or an exotic supercar body. Sometimes, creativity and an unconventional idea are enough to make a vehicle stand out.
That is precisely the philosophy behind Dirty Humor, an imaginative 1962 Ford F-250 created by brothers Tyler Waltz and Damien Bakke.
The project takes inspiration from vintage Good Humor ice cream trucks, reinterpreting the familiar commercial vehicle as a roadster-style custom pickup.
Built around a new chassis and featuring an updated drivetrain, the Ford combines nostalgic styling with contemporary engineering.
Its distinctive colour scheme is another highlight. Strawberry Smoothie and Mint Green powder-coated elements provide a playful visual identity that reinforces the ice cream-inspired theme.
The build also earned a place in the Top 10 of the Battle of the Builders Young Guns competition, highlighting the creativity of a new generation of custom automotive talent.
7. 1928 Ford Model A McLaren-Honda: A Tribute to Ayrton Senna
Few motorsport partnerships have achieved the legendary status of McLaren-Honda during the Ayrton Senna era. This unusual 1928 Ford Model A takes inspiration from that celebrated Formula 1 period and transforms it into one of the most distinctive builds at SEMA.
Created by California-based customiser Tony Quinones, known for his appearance in the Netflix series Car Masters: Rust to Riches, the project was commissioned by Ayrton Senna enthusiast Bill Cardoso of Scorpion EV.
The original Ford L-head engine has been removed and replaced with a mid-mounted Honda K20C1 engine producing approximately 300 horsepower.
The four-cylinder powerplant is connected to a Porsche six-speed transaxle, creating an unusual combination of American vintage architecture, Japanese engine technology and German transmission engineering.
Visually, the car draws heavily on the McLaren-Honda Formula 1 aesthetic, featuring adjustable aerodynamic wings with integrated LED lighting and a 3D-printed air intake.
The result is a fascinating tribute to one of motorsport’s greatest eras, although its unconventional proportions and engineering make it much more than a conventional Senna-inspired replica.
8. McLaren 720S With Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Styling: A Supercar Transformation
Another familiar name at the SEMA Show is custom builder John Sarkisyan, whose latest creation combines modern McLaren engineering with the unmistakable appearance of a legendary Mercedes-Benz endurance racer.
The project starts with a modern McLaren supercar but replaces its original exterior styling with a custom body inspired by the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, the extraordinary machine developed for GT1 competition in the late 1990s.
Interestingly, much of the original mechanical package remains untouched. The car retains its original suspension and twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, while modifications include a custom exhaust system and HRE wheels.
The transformation is particularly interesting because it brings together two different chapters of supercar history: McLaren’s contemporary road-car engineering and Mercedes-Benz’s celebrated endurance-racing heritage.
It is an unusual combination, but one that demonstrates how far independent customisation can go when builders are willing to rethink the identity of an existing supercar.
9. Jeep Recon Overwatch Concept: 670 HP of Electric Off-Road Capability
Electric powertrains are increasingly finding their way into the off-road world, and Jeep is using the SEMA Show to demonstrate how its upcoming electric Recon platform could be adapted for more demanding adventures.
The Jeep Recon Overwatch Concept receives an extensive custom treatment, with its electric powertrain producing a claimed 670 horsepower.
One of the most interesting modifications is a prototype two-inch suspension lift kit, developed with future availability through Jeep Performance Parts in mind.
The concept also rides on 34-inch tyres mounted on specially designed JPP beadlock wheels, providing the aggressive stance expected of a serious off-road machine.
Its exterior features removable doors and rear glass, reinforcing the traditional Jeep philosophy of open-air driving. The body is finished in a distinctive Ghost paint colour, designed to resemble a muddy white finish.
Inside, pistachio-green leather seats provide an unexpected contrast to the rugged exterior.
The Overwatch Concept is an interesting demonstration of how electric propulsion and traditional off-road customisation could work together, particularly as manufacturers begin developing dedicated accessories for electric adventure vehicles.
10. Hoffman Badger: A Tesla Model 3 Reimagined as an 11-Seat Electric Bus
Perhaps the most unconventional vehicle at this year’s SEMA Show is the Hoffman Badger, a prototype that looks nothing like the Tesla underneath its redesigned bodywork.
Developed by Hoffman Manufacturing, the Badger is based on a salvaged Tesla Model 3, reusing its electric vehicle architecture while introducing a completely different exterior design.
The company has decades of experience in metal and wood fabrication, and has also worked on DeLorean electric conversions. Owner Geoffrey Hoffman is now exploring whether salvaged Tesla vehicles could provide the foundation for an entirely new category of modern electric transport.
The Badger is envisioned as an 11-seat bus, a classification that Hoffman believes could simplify its path towards commercialisation.
The project also proposes substantial chassis-side structural extrusions designed to improve impact protection around the existing battery pack.
Importantly, the vehicle remains a prototype, with Hoffman using the SEMA Show to evaluate public reaction and the commercial potential of the idea.
If the concept reaches production, it could demonstrate an interesting alternative approach to electric vehicle manufacturing: reusing existing EV platforms rather than developing an entirely new vehicle architecture from scratch.
SEMA Show 2026 Proves Custom Car Culture Is More Diverse Than Ever
From a 1,200-hp six-wheeled Ferrari to a 670-hp electric Jeep and a reimagined Tesla Model 3, this year’s SEMA Show offers a remarkable snapshot of the automotive aftermarket industry.
Traditional American muscle cars and classic trucks remain central to the event, but the growing presence of electric vehicles, unconventional powertrain combinations and advanced fabrication techniques demonstrates how quickly the custom automotive world is evolving.
What makes SEMA particularly fascinating is that there are virtually no limits to the imagination of its builders. A Ferrari can become a six-wheeled supercar, a 1928 Ford can pay tribute to McLaren-Honda’s Formula 1 heritage, and a Tesla can be transformed into an entirely different type of passenger vehicle.
Ultimately, the SEMA Show remains much more than an exhibition of modified vehicles. It is a celebration of engineering creativity, automotive individuality and the people willing to push the boundaries of what a car or truck can become.
Photos: Autocar