Back in the mid 1980’s we started to see a trend pop up on automobiles all over the world. It started off slow at first but as this trend picked up steam it created an industry that changed the look of the automobile forever. Some of you may, or may not agree with this, but the fact of the matter is, 25 years later, that trend is still here and going stronger than ever. I’m talking about the multi-billion dollar industry of aftermarket wheels.

Perhaps one of the most tired cliches in the industry is “no replacement for displacement” and while the saying if often true, it does not change the fact that after hearing it approximately 4,553 times you begin to seriously entertain the idea of committing felonious acts of assault. Such was largely the case with the repetitious argument Ford put forth at SEMA this year with their 1934 Ecoboost V6 Hot Rod – if that engine had one unit of horsepower for every time “replacement” and “displacement” were used in the same sentence, it wouldn’t be street legal. Fortunately, the hot rod itself was just impressive enough to compensate for any minor annoyances presented by the PR department and by the time you finish the virtual walk-around, all will be completely forgiven.

Thanks to the custom propane-powered engine, Steve Hale’s 1956 F-100 hot rod is one of the most extremely badass yet remarkably fuel-efficient vehicles I’ve seen to date. To highlight the conservation ideology demonstrated by the latter feature, Hale chose to construct the F-100 out of copper – which makes for a very interesting design aesthetic to say the least. Fortunately, the dazzling metallic paint is complimented nicely by the copper and manages to escape the ire usually reserved for over-the-top SEMA jobs. As a matter of fact, so impressive is the entire execution I’m even willing to forgive the inclusion of the obligatory suicide doors.

True, although today could have been spent exploring the new and innovative technologies used by various firms to further the development of environmentally-friendly vehicles, I’m easily distracted by throaty exhaust notes. Unfortunately, the burgeoning aftermarket industry is only more than happy to accommodate my insatiable appetite which brings me one of this year’s only SEMA vehicles on the planet that will not cause severe retina damage: AMP=D Electric’s 1933 Ford Hot Rod. Since RideLust was not personally represented at SEMA this year and the individuals that did attend are forcibly protecting their exclusive images, the only coverage RL is able to provide is one lone, superbly edited, incredibly informative video. Poor, poor you.

A contradiction if there ever was one: the Toyota Tacoma All Terrain Gamer. Contrary to what one might immediately conclude, the biggest design flaw here was assuming that any gamer enthusiastic enough to need three in-dash TV screens would ever be interested in something as physically taxing (and so full of sunshine! AUGH! IT BURNS!) as off-roading. The second mistake is harder to specify as the entire vehicle itself seems to be an exercise in questionable judgment – which doesn’t stop me from irrationally lusting after it.

True, all outward indicators suggest that it’s a bigger Microsoft-bred horror than their current operating system (which I use, because you insufferable Apple elitists don’t make the Mac any more attractive), but look! It has gullwing doors! It also has a green Plexiglas-covered TRD-tuned 304 horsepower 4.0-liter Supercharged engine, which Toyota claims (without a trace if irony) perfectly enables the adventurous gamer to traverse even the most rugged landscape. The rugged landscape where? Outside Mom’s basement?

As is often demonstrated in the automotive industry, just because you didn’t have the idea first doesn’t mean you can’t still attempt to profit from it. Case in point: the Silverado ZR2. Not only is it heavily geared towards the SoCal Broskie, amateur Baja-rallier segment, Chevy’s design engineers didn’t even attempt to disguise the heavy Raptor design cues. Beneath the hood, the pseudo desert hauler boasts a 550-horsepower LS supercharged engine, which conveniently mimics the output numbers on the recently unveiled 6.2L 411-hp Raptor powerplant unveiled at SEMA yesterday.

What’s more, the unique grill, friendly-with-the-carbon-fiber bodywork, and heavily modified stance of the truck itself are more than just a creative copycat – they’re a preview of what Chevy would purportedly like to see on future production models. “There’s more to this concept than meets the eye,” said Chevy chief Brent Dewar. “Some of the components are being explored for possible inclusion in upcoming models.”

We’re only three Camaros in and we’re already getting bored with Chevy’s SEMA festivities. This isn’t necessarily a reflection of the Camaro itself, but rather the relentless PR machine that has deadened our senses to any so-called “fantastic” Camaro news. Plus, the tuning circuit was never really our scene anyway (off-roading equipment specialists being the notable exception)…nevertheless, it is with as much contrived enthusiasm as we can muster that we bring to you the Chevy Camaro Chroma.

Like all the Camaro variants featured at SEMA this year, every modification performed on the Camaro Chroma can be achieved by any aspiring tuner ordering directly from the Chevy aftermarket accessory catalog. This includes the Summit White paint job, ground effects package, 21″ wheels, “Blade” rear spoiler, rear fender vent graphics and the front grille with body-color outer frame.

“With its silver graphics on the Summit White paint, this car has a tailored, tone-on-tone appearance that is simultaneously racy and subdued,” said Todd Parker, design manager, GM Accessory Studio. “It is a sophisticated-looking car that is easily duplicated by any customer, because all of the parts are available to build it.”

Purportedly inspired by the style of young, urban professionals, the Camaro Dusk is apparently intended to be an exercise in understated, relatively subtle aftermarket luxury. The bulk of the modifications are focused on refining the visual aesthetic and lending the Dusk an air of “recent business grad” rarely seen outside of a 3 Series. As such, the body is finished in an ambiguous Berlin Blue and the front splitter, rocker extensions, and rear diffuser are painted in a contrasting tone. The interior is upholstered in Jet Black and Sedona and comes replete with a Boston Acoustics sound system, WiFi connectivity and an iPhone cradle, all of which also appears to be borrowing heavily in theory from the vast array of interior options available from BMW. Continuing in that same upwardly mobile vein, the performance mods are also modest and tastefully executed and include a custom exhaust, Brembo brakes from the SS, and 21-inch BBS wheels.

“This is a car with an international flair, bringing the Camaro to a place it hasn’t traditionally been,” explained Todd Parker, GM Accessory Studio design manager. “It is a very tailored look that is stylish and sophisticated, but with a distinct American accent.”

Yesterday, the Internet was set ablaze with rumors that the custom Camaro pictured above (and below) was actually the ever-elusive, heavily-speculated Camaro Z28 making a surprise appearance. Of course, it wasn’t. The Camaro in question is actually one of five custom jobs debuting at Chevy’s SEMA booth this year, and this particular tuner was exclusively built for TV personality and respected petrolhead, Jay Leno.

Although one would expect a man like Leno to have opted for the high-performance SS model, the Leno Camaro is a package designed for LS and LT models and thus comes with a 3.6L direct-inject V6. Thanks to twin Turbonetics T3 turbochargers and a custom air-to-air intercooler, however, the V6 in Leno’s Camaro cranks out a whopping 425-hp. For those of you who were living in an isolated Haitian village last year or otherwise missed the Camaro media blitz, that’s 40% more horsepower than the stock V6 and exactly equivalent to the power you’d get from the stock V8.

Is anyone else impressed by the futility of this project?

Set to appear alongside the troupe of tuned Kizashi’s at this year’s SEMA show is yet another pleasant surprise from the often underestimated Japanese manufacturer: the ICON Vehicle Dynamics Suzuki Equator. Without the hefty aftermarket off-road package the Equator would still find a special place in our hearts but with Wrangler MT/R tires and a grill-mounted LightForce bar, we consider ourselves head-over-heels. Part of our fascination stems from the fact that, as of late, rare has been a Suzuki vehicle with more than 2 wheels that we’d permit ourselves to be seen in. With the Suzuki Equator, that unpopular stigma seems to be slowly ebbing and the result is a rally-ready truck that could satisfy the needs of even the most discerning Raptor bro (alright, maybe that’s pushing it).