Discover the World’s Largest Automotive Aftermarket Show: The First Sema Show 1967
The SEMA (Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association began in 1967. Here are some historical photos from that event as well as a timeline.
If you hang around “car” people for very long, you are sure to hear the name SEMA.
You might be asking, just what is a SEMA?
Today SEMA Show represents the $46.2 billion automotive aftermarkets. It is the only trade show that brings together every segment of the automotive industry, from hot rods and off-roads to mobile electronics and collision repair. It consists of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, publishing companies, auto restorers, street rod builders, restylers, car clubs, race teams, and more. The event is not open to the general public, but many of the Corvette companies you purchase from are at this annual event.
SEMA has more than 2,400 exhibiting companies and attendees from all over the world; the SEMA Show is where the hottest, newest automotive products debut. The event is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
SEMA History
“It all began in 1963 when a group of small manufacturers who were suppliers of performance equipment for early hot rods organized their fledgling industry and called it “Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association” (SEMA).
From what I found, it was started by Roy Richter, Ed Iskenderian, Willie Garner, Bob Hedman, Robert E. Wyman, John Bartlett, Phil Weiand, Jr., Al Segal, Dean Moon, and Vic Edelbrock, Jr.
The first SEMA Show was held in the basement of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. That first year, the show brought out 98 manufacturers, most sellers of hot rod and drag racing parts and services. About 3,000 industry insiders attended.
The SEMA Show is a trade show is a nonprofit organization.
SEMA-Show-Timeline-2
Here are some photos from the very first SEMA event in 1967:
Wayne Ellwood will bring us complete coverage of this year’s event in an up-and-coming issue of Vette Vues Magazine.
Here are some other articles you might enjoy:
SEMA REVISITED SERIES:
Corvettes at SEMA 2013 Overview and Photos
Unveiling the Spectacular Corvettes: Sema 2014 Event Review with Stunning Photos
Revisit The History Of Corvettes At SEMA 2015 In Las Vegas: 30+ Custom Vettes
Here are some other SEMA features you might enjoy:
Green Gold 1963 Corvette by Eddie’s Rod & Custom at the 2022 SEMA Show
Check Out Dave Kindig’s 1953 CF1 Corvettes At SEMA 2022!
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Vette Vues Magazine is jammed packed with Corvette information covering C1 to C8. Each monthly issue has features, reviews, tips, restorations, clubs, events, racing, auction results, model cars, classifieds, products, services, and more. Enjoy the latest Corvette news, as well as some great historical facts.
