Where Cars Meet Culture
Apr 20, 2025
Subscribe Button

5 Trends from SEMA 2019

5 years ago
1 min read
The 2019 SEMA show has just wrapped in Las Vegas, Nevada. The weeklong celebration of all things automotive is where the industry gathers to show off the latest in car, truck, and SUV trends and technology. This year several new trends were apparent including vintage overlanders and electrified classics really standing out on the show floor. Below are some of the biggest trends we saw at SEMA this year. 

Classic Overlanders

Classic overlanders from vintage Jeeps and Toyotas to classic Land Rovers and Internationals. These iconic vintage trucks and SUVs have been outfitted with modern drivetrains, led lighting, the latest tech, and Overlanding gear. I suspect we will see classic SUVs and 4X4 trucks continue to rise in value.

Go Big or Go Home

Modern size wheels on hot rods, for years the hot rod community has been keeping it old school when it comes to wheel sizing. While some builders have been using oversized wheels for years, the trend seemed to be more pervasive this year across multiple builders and wheel manufacturers.

Electrified Performance

Electrified classics have been gaining in popularity, but this year at SEMA we saw major builders known for their gas-powered rides switching to develop all-electric performance vehicles. Other highlights were plug-and-play electric powertrains for classic cars.

The Return of the King! 

The Supra was expected to be the darling of the show, but from body kits to manual transmission swaps the automotive aftermarket brands really pulled out all the stops to develop products for the new Supra. While many loved to hate the Supra, the popularity of the car at the show was apparent and we should be seeing some of these cars putting down some serious track times soon.

Vintage JDM

Classic Japanese cars have been on the rise for years, but at this year’s SEMA show we saw more everyday classics like this highly customized Datsun Fairlady Roadster. In years past only the rarest of the rare would be the recipient of high dollar builds when it came vintage JDM cars and trucks, but now that Japanese classics are on the rise expect to see more products and money being spent on classics from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Michael Satterfield

Michael Satterfield, founder of The Gentleman Racer, is a storyteller, adventurer, and automotive expert whose work blends cars, travel, and culture. As a member of The Explorers Club, he brings a spirit of discovery to his work, whether uncovering forgotten racing history or embarking on global expeditions. His site has become a go-to destination for car enthusiasts and style aficionados, known for its compelling storytelling and unique perspective. A Texan with a passion for classic cars and motorsports, Michael is also a hands-on restorer, currently working on a 1960s SCCA-spec Formula Super Vee and other project cars. As the head of the Satterfield Group, he consults on branding and marketing for top automotive and lifestyle brands, bringing his deep industry knowledge to every project.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Don't Miss

Mazda CX-50 Hybrid

Hybrid, Refined: The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus Brings Efficiency Without Diluting Soul

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus delivers a rare blend of
Dubbed the Packard Parisian Coupe, the car was intended to be a stylish halo vehicle for the brand—perhaps even a limited production model for its most elite clients. But despite the compelling design, the Parisian never moved beyond the drawing board during Packard’s lifetime. It remained a dream, until one collector brought it to life decades later.

1952 Packard Parisian Coupe By Pinin Farina

Dubbed the Packard Parisian Coupe, the car was intended to be a