The Specialty Equipment Market Association Show, or SEMA as its more commonly referred to, once again drew over 160,000 attendees to sunny Las Vegas for the annual gathering of the automotive aftermarket industry’s finest. A handful of staple OEM manufacturers returned to the event with tantalizing project vehicles — read on for three favourites from this year. 

Ford Maverick 300T

Small pickup fans such as myself have often dreamed of a current model embodying the spirit of sport compact trucks come and gone. Ford Custom Garage has heeded the call with the Maverick 300T that features the standard 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, but mated to the larger turbocharger from the Mustang EcoBoost and tuned. This brings the total output to an even 300 horsepower and 317 lb ft of torque, or an improvement of 50 and 40, respectively.

An upgraded suspension drops the ride height 10 millimetres in the front and 30 millimetres in the rear, and if the wheels seem familiar it’s because they’re the 20-inch rollers off a Mach-E GT and shod in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber. Unique badging and graphics and a Borla exhaust is the icing on the cake. And best news of all? A complete purchasable kit coming in 2026, courtesy of Ford Performance Parts, turning concept into reality for Maverick owners.  

Toyota bZ Time Attack Concept

Though the public reception of Toyota’s first mass-produced EV, the bZ4X, has been mixed due to factors like range and charging speed issues, perhaps the Time Attack Concept will change some minds. Lowered 150-millimetres using Tein suspension, the ground-hugging stance is complemented by a full body kit and massive race-style rear wing. Alcon brakes and Hawk pads help put a quick stop to the 400-plus horsepower created via tuned dual electric motors. 

Other mods include a full FIA-spec 4130 chromoly cage for stiffness and safety, OMP HTE-R racing seats and OMP harnesses, and everything sits on 19×11-inch BBS Unlimited wheels wrapped in 305/30/ZR19 XL Continental Extreme Contact Sport 02 tires. The shell is coated in a custom pearl/metallic white, metallic black and red paint. 

The Dude Ram 1500 Concept

Resurrecting a somewhat obscure bright paint and decal option offered on Dodge D Series pickups in 1970 and 1971 called the Dude Sports Trim Package, the brand unveiled the Dude Ram 1500 Concept looking ready to hit the street in style. Coated in the same Sublime Green as the original, the exterior has satin black C-stripes running down the entire side as well as a blacked-out grille, roof, mirrors, tailgate and 22×10-inch wheels. 

Based on a 1500 Big Horn, the Dude runs a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with Mopar cold-air intake, and is also lowered and boasts a custom front splitter, side skirts and side-exit exhaust pipes. Cabin-side, there’s green-contrast-stitched Alea Leather upholstery, custom badging, centre-console safe and more.

Omega Mart

Looking for something different to do between show days next year? Check out Omega Mart, just west of the Las Vegas Strip, located inside the AREA15 entertainment complex. Created by arts production company Meow Wolf, the interactive art experience is carefully made to resemble a grocery store but contains shelves stocked full of purchasable on-the-nose parody products, hidden passageways and an underlying story that unravels as visitors weave their way through the 55,000 square-foot facility designed to wow the senses. 

Just last month, a new installation opened titled The Stupendous Intergalactic Interdimensional Trophy Room. The result of a collaboration with Las Vegas College of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts candidate Dan Hernandez, the centerpiece a rotating bookcase displaying all sorts of cartoons-come-to-life sculptures referencing everything from pop culture to the fantastic. The temporary exhibit is on display until January.