Battle of the Builders - group of cool cars and trucks from various eras. Battle of the Builders - group of cool cars and trucks from various eras.

The Best Builds. The Boldest Customizations. Do you have what it takes to be the next Battle of The Builders Champion? There's only one way to find out!

2024 SEMA BATTLE OF THE BUILDERS WINNER

NOAH ALEXANDER - 1968 Dodger Charger

1968 Dodger Charger on display at SEMA

2024 SEMA BATTLE OF THE BUILDERS TOP 4

Hot Rod/ Hot Rod Truck

1968 Dodger Charger on display at SEMA

NOAH ALEXANDER

1968 Dodger Charger

Booth: Feature Vehicle

Booth/Location: Central C07

Sport Compact/Import Performance

1965 Aston Martin DB5 on display

BRUCE YARNELL

1965 Aston Martin DB5

Booth: SEMA Live

Booth/Location: West 58135

Young Guns

1969 Datsun 2000 Roadster on display

CONNOR MCELVAIN

1969 Datsun 2000 Roadster

Booth: BOTB

Booth/Location: Silver Lot 81218

4-Wheel Drive & Off-Road

1949 Willys Pickup on display

ROB LINDSAY

1949 Willys Pickup

Booth: Prismatic Cerakote

Booth/Location: Central 24591

2024 Top 12 Builder Finalists

Hot Rod/ Hot Rod Truck

1968 Dodger Charger on display at SEMA

NOAH ALEXANDER

1968 Dodger Charger

Booth: Feature Vehicle

Booth/Location: Central C07

This ’68 Dodge Charger showcases original sheetmetal meticulously refined with sharpened body lines, a relocated wheelbase, shaved drip rails, flush-mounted glass, and custom hood and trunk skins, along with a bespoke belly pan. Built on an altered wheelbase RS chassis, all suspension components have been body-worked and painted. Powering this machine is the original 440ci Dick Landy engine with an eight-stack fuel injection and a deburred, smoothed block. Inside, the custom dash features oneoff milled bezels, unique seats, door panels and a package tray with Missouri black walnut accents. Awarded both the Goodguys Street Machine of the Year and Triple Crown Street Machine of the Year.

1932 Ford Roadster on display

CHRIS CLARK

1932 Ford Roadster

Booth: HRIA

Booth/Location: Central 23295

“Pit Boss” is a ’32 Ford roadster designed by Eric Brockmeyer, built on a Brookville Roadster body. Chris Clark at Ace Fabrication executed extensive chassis and body modifications, including a stretched wheelbase, raised rear framerails, 4-in. lifted rear fenders, lowered grille shell, and lengthened hood for an ideal stance and flowing proportions. Tony Curry at Show Me Rod & Custom applied the custommix PPG paint, while Tracy Weaver at Recovery Room Interiors crafted the custom upholstery and chopped canvas top. EVOD machined one-off wheels designed by Brockmeyer. Finishes combine Cerakote, chrome and powdercoating—blending modern and traditional styles.

1959 Chrysler 300E on display

TONY ARME

1959 Chrysler 300E

Booth: Meguiars

Booth/Location:

Our project aimed to reimagine the iconic ’59 Chrysler 300 with supercar-inspired styling—all while preserving the forward-look design and first-class comfort that Virgil Exner originally envisioned. In 2019, we sourced a rare donor car—one of only 118 Chrysler 300E models still in existence (out of 522 produced). Over the next five years, we invested more than 8,000 hours and countless custom modifications to create a unique masterpiece. This one-of-a-kind build features a one-off Roadster Shop frame, a custom roof, a 1,000hp Hellcat engine, and a six-speed manual transmission, blending timeless style with modern performance.

Sport Compact, Luxury & Exotics

1965 Aston Martin DB5 on display

BRUCE YARNELL

1965 Aston Martin DB5

Booth: SEMA Live

Booth/Location: West 58135

This ’65 Aston Martin DB5/2005/R has undergone a complete concourse-level restoration by Kevin Kay Restorations, aiming to be the ultimate 007 James Bond DB5 in the world with no expense spared. This vehicle has been outfitted with all the iconic gadgets from the Goldfinger movie, reimagined with cutting-edge 2024 technology. Features include a bulletproof shield and glass, an oil slick sprayer, a smoke screen, front and rear overrider rams, rotating number plates, a radar screen and mirror, an ejection seat, tire shredders and more. Every detail has been meticulously crafted, setting this car apart from anything ever done before.

1973 Ferrari Dino

BRIAN C DILLEY

1973 Ferrari Dino

Booth: POR-15

Booth/Location: Central 24495

This ’73 Ferrari Dino has undergone a complete frame-off restoration and electric conversion, with no expense spared. The build includes electric power steering, full HVAC and custom wheels by EVOD. The exterior features a billet grille, shaved door handles and bespoke lighting. Inside, the fully custom interior boasts in-house designed digital gauges, elegant lighting and real leather. Powering this unique vehicle is a 300hp Cascadia Motion electric motor paired with a custom 40kWh battery pack. Additional enhancements include keyless entry, custom sheetmetal panels and advanced electronics for LED lighting and telemetry.

1956 Porsche Speedster on display

KENNY PFITZER

1956 Porsche Speedster

Booth: Malco / Presta

Booth/Location: West 50175

This ’56 Porsche Speedster underwent a complete restoration, with a fiberglass body shell mounted on a ’56 pan, shortened by 11.5 in. The pan was fully powdercoated and painted, and every piece of hardware underneath was chrome-plated. We installed a Tiger high-performance exhaust system and built a custom 2,332cc motor with 48 IDA carburetors and a Porsche fan shroud. The interior and engine compartment, including the gas tank, is Napa leather-wrapped. The dash was wrapped in leather rather than painted, and every door panel was custom-cut. For the top and rear sections of the car, we machined new molds and tools. There’s no off-the-shelf part that you can buy for this car. Everything is custom-machined from billet and reimagined.

4-Wheel Drive & Off-Road

1949 Willys Pickup on display

ROB LINDSAY

1949 Willys Pickup

Booth: Prismatic Cerakote

Booth/Location: Central 24591

This custom-built ’49 AWD street-legal pickup blends classic style with advanced off-road performance. Originally a standard cab, the body has been extended to an extra cab, featuring a Whipplesupercharged LS3 engine paired with a paddle-shifted billet transmission. It boasts an independent front suspension with 26 in. of front- and 32 in. of rear-wheel travel on a unique tube chassis. Every component has been meticulously handcrafted over four years, including the hand-formed aluminum scoops and ducting for its eight radiators and coolers and stainless hardline plumbing with Wigging Fittings. The luxury Interior features two LCQ screen monitors. Heat, A/C, leather and alcantara heated seats and i-Pad navigation from a Cessna. The rear light bar and wing are electronically actuated.

1962 Dodge Power Wagon on display

JACOB MOORE

1962 Dodge Power Wagon

Booth: Barrett Jackson

Booth/Location: Central 21427

This one-of-a-kind custom work truck was built for the Mike Rowe Works Foundation, starting as a ’62 Dodge Power Wagon delivery and transformed into a unique four-door pickup. Mounted on a modified 3rd-gen Dodge Ram frame, it features a full off-road suspension and is powered by an 1,100hp Hellephant-spec Hemi, custom-built for the project with an 8HP95 transmission. The flatbed is a one-off custom design, showcasing extensive modifications that make this truck a true work of art. Unveiled at the Barrett-Jackson booth, it will be auctioned for charity in January 2025.

1957 Chevy 3100 on display

CHRIS STAFFORD

1957 Chevy 3100

Booth: Feature Vehicle

Booth/Location: Silver Lot V072

This custom truck is built on a RoadsterShop RS4 chassis, which has been powdercoated and fully detailed. Partnering with Little Shop MFG, we developed a massive 16-in. brake kit to fit the RS4 chassis as well. We collaborated with Greening Auto Co. to create a one-off three-piece wheel for the truck. Extensive body modifications include molded drip rails, radius door edges, molded in fender filler panels and seams, radius bedrails welded all of the seams in the tailgate. One-off fuel filler in the bed…the list goes on. The engine bay is fully customized with bespoke inner wheelwells, an air cleaner and valve covers. Inside, a completely scratch-built interior is complemented by retrofitted electric running boards.

Young Guns | 29 & Under

1969 Datsun 2000 Roadster on display

CONNOR MCELVAIN

1969 Datsun 2000 Roadster

Booth: BOTB

Booth/Location: Silver Lot 81218

This ’69 Datsun 2000 Roadster has undergone custom restoration, blending classic styling with highperformance engineering. Built on a custom CAD-designed chassis based on 3-D scanning, it features push rod/cantilever suspension, billet rocker arms and S13 disc brakes. It’s powered by an SR20 engine with a P11 Neo head, SR16 camshafts and dual Weber 45 carbs. The Datsu also boasts titanium headers, a billet intake and a Haltech ECU. The interior includes hand-shaped aluminum bomber seats, a custom aluminum dashboard with Moon gauges, and vintage leather accents. Finished in Ford Wimbledon White, the vehicle’s exterior showcases custom rear arches, a shaved front end, and Watanabe wheels with Toyo Proxes R888 tires.

1967 Chevy C10 at SEMA

TYLER ADAMS

1967 Chevy C10

Booth: BOTB

Booth/Location: Silver Lot 81218

This ’67 Chevy C10 sits on a Porterbuilt coilover chassis with front- and back-half modifications, a boxed and smoothed center, and body-color paint accents to match the wheels. The customengineered engine bay and trans tunnel include unique fuel and brake lines, a custom radiator hose and exhaust. The bed is raised with widened tubs seamlessly integrated into the bedsides, and the refined panel gaps create a flawless, super-straight finish. The truck features custom Schott wheels, Wilwood brakes, hidden wiring and a custom fan setup. With a sleek, flat paint finish, this C10 combines classic style with modern craftsmanship and precision.

1964 GMC C25 at SEMA

AUSTIN PHIPPS

1964 GMC C25

Booth: BOTB

Booth/Location: Silver Lot 81218

This ’64 GMC was built with a 408 stroker LS, twin turbo and rides on a Rydman Ranch custom chassis with 22x9 24x12 Billet Specialities wheels. The interior includes a Snowden custom bench seat. The exterior is adorned with custom cerakote and prismatic powdercoating. The vehicle also features an Airlift air management system, a custom turbo kit with piping by STLFAB, a shortened bed, an American Auto Wire harness and Dakota Digital gauges.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

All builders with a vehicle displaying at the 2024 SEMA Show may enter the competition at www.semabotb.com before the deadline on October 18, 2024. Photos can be uploaded directly onto the online applications, which judges will use to select the finalists. Please refer to the "Submissions" section of the BOTB Terms and Conditions for all competition entry application requirements.

Yes. A vehicle must be approved by the Show committee to be on display at the SEMA Show and can be either a feature vehicle, or a booth vehicle. You may still enter the SEMA Battle of the Builders as you work to secure your vehicle spot at the Show. However, the BOTB operations team will review all applications for the 2024 SEMA Battle of the Builders and check their status for displaying at the 2024 SEMA Show. Those vehicles who are registered for the 2024 BOTB competition, but not confirmed to display at the 2024 SEMA Show will not be allowed to continue in the BOTB competition. You must have your feature vehicle space or booth space secured by October 18, 2024 to continue in the 2024 BOTB competition. To apply for a feature vehicle space at the 2024 SEMA Show, you must first have a SEMA Show exhibiting company sponsor the space. Once you have secured such sponsorship, you may apply for the feature vehicle space here. Please read the rules and regulations for feature vehicles here. If you have questions about applying for a feature vehicle space, you may also contact Maurice O'Connell at mauriceo@sema.org.

The BOTB operations team will be in contact with you via email to confirm receipt of your application and provide you with additional information regarding dates and deadlines. The email will also provide you with contact information for the BOTB team if you have any additional questions. If you have applied in the Young Guns category, you will also receive information regarding the virtual regional Golden Ticket competition for your chance to win one of several Young Guns SEMA Show prize packages.

Only an individual may enter. If you built the vehicle with the shop, you must have acted as a builder on the vehicle project. Please refer to the "Eligibility" section of the BOTB Terms and Conditions for all eligibility requirements.

Unfortunately, no. Only the individual who acted as a builder on the vehicle project may be listed. Please refer to the "Eligibility" section of the BOTB Terms and Conditions for all eligibility requirements.

Supporting and inspiring young builders is crucial to the future of the automotive specialty equipment market. The Young Guns category is designed to encourage young builders to pursue their passions and shines the light on the up-and-coming builders.

"Young Guns" is a designation within the overall BOTB competition to recognize builders who are under the age of 29 (as of Nov. 8, 2024). Those who meet the criteria and have selected the Young Guns category on the online application are eligible to participate. Please refer to the "Eligibility" section of the BOTB Terms and Conditions for all eligibility requirements. All competitors in the Young Guns category will be competing against the overall field of builders, regardless of how they entered the competition.

All eligible Young Guns applicants who have submitted their online application before August 1, 2024 may be selected to compete in one or more virtual regional Golden Ticket competitions for the chance to win a Golden Ticket SEMA Show prize package. Those Young Guns eligible applicants who have been selected for this will be contacted via email or phone separately by the BOTB operations team. Please refer to the "Young Guns" section of the BOTB Terms and Conditions for all rules and requirements of the virtual regional Golden Ticket competitions.

With more than 300 participants, industry experts will review all qualifying applications, including vehicle descriptions and photos. Judges will then select the Top 40 finalists in the competition (10 from the hot-rod / hot-rod trucks category; 10 from the off-road / 4-wheel-drive category; 10 from the sport-compact / import performance / luxury & exotics category; and 10 from the Young Guns category). After the Top 40 finalists are announced, the judges then narrow the finalists down to the Top 12 (3 from the hot-rod / hot-rod trucks category; 3 from the off-road / 4-wheel-drive category; 3 from the sport-compact / import performance / luxury & exotics category; and 3 from the Young Guns category). The Top 12 finalists then become the judges and select from amongst themselves who are the Top 4 category winners, and who is named the Top Overall Builder of the SEMA BOTB. Please refer to the "Judging" section of the BOTB Terms and Conditions for all judging policies.

Only the regional Young Guns virtual regional Golden Ticket competitions leading up to the SEMA Show will be virtual. Once on site at the 2024 SEMA Show, all activities will be in-person.

The Top 40 winners, the Top 12 winners, the Top 4 class champions and the Top Overall BOTB Builder will all be announced live throughout the week at the Battle of the Builders Stage at the 2024 SEMA Show. Once each live announcement is made, the winners will also be announced on SEMA Show's social media channels.

Each vehicle at the SEMA Show is a unique, one-of-a-kind creation. Personal tastes may vary and opinions will differ. Industry experts with years of experience serve as judges and narrow the entries down to finalists. However, it is the Top 12 finalists themselves who will be judging, voting and selecting the ultimate winner.

As builders, the finalists know and understand the challenges and complexity involved with a vehicle build. They can assess and determine the creativity, craftsmanship and skill that went into each vehicle, before selecting the winner. Please refer to the "Judging" section of the BOTB Terms and Conditions for all judging policies.