As Rod Authority continues to gear up for this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show, the internationally renowned SEMA Show, there has been no shortage of pre-SEMA press coming our way. From the latest product releases and designs in the conceptual stage to project cars scheduled for display, this is the Mecca for all industry personnel hoping to get a full sensory sample of things to come in the near future. The annual SEMA Show is a place of inspiration, motivation, and a meeting ground for visionaries and businessmen to showcase their hard work.

One company who has been hard at work are the folks at Summit Racing Equipment. This year they are proud to have their name associated with three project vehicles that are scheduled for display and one of their very own totaling four classics each with their own unique twist!

Rutledge Wood’s 1949 Chevy Step Van

A few weeks back we spotlighted the Top Gear co-host’s project van. Check out a closeup of the build here. Rutledge Wood turned to Summit Racing for parts and tech advice. Summit Racing even offers a special vintage parts list for step van builds with the template based on Wood’s ’49. The van was built by American Resto Mods and sits on a 2500 HD pickup chassis. The powerplant is based around a Chevrolet Performance 525 hp LS3 crate engine backed by a Performance Automatic Street Smart 4L80E transmission.

The Rutledge Wood step van will be on display at the MagnaFlow booth, #23543. For an even more detailed look at the build process of Wood’s vintage step, check out Summit Racing’s blog.

Wes Adkin’s “427 Wildcat” 1967 Cougar

Wes Adkins is the owner of Wild Wes Paintworks located in Dover, Ohio. His ’67 Cougar served as his daily driver for years before he decided to give it a total renovation. It has recently been taken apart and built up again. The end result is a pro-touring Cougar that embodies the essence of the regal cats that share its name.

The Cougar is powered by a 427ci Ford Windsor with twin superchargers that Wes says pushes out 800 hp “without breaking a sweat.” The engine is backed by a Cyclone Transmissions’ 4L80E automatic while Detroit Speed suspension ensures catlike handling on the open road.

The “427 Wildcat” will be on display at the Meguiar’s Car Crazy TV Display and will be the subject of a video feature during the show. You can follow the build on Wes’s Facebook Page here.

Strange Motion 1964 Corvair

This project is under wraps and Tim Strange aims to keep it that way until its SEMA Show reveal. The ’64 Corvair is a project that he is actually building for his wife Carrie. The only photo(s) of the car that are currently in circulation are the mockup shots of the Corvair ready for some custom love.

The Corvair reportedly will feature a Chevy V6, big hoops, Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes, and a hardy list of custom body mods. Carrie won a spot at SEMA through a recent contest that was sponsored by the folks at Royal Purple Oil looking to feature vehicles owned by man’s better half. The ’64 will be on display at the Royal Purple booth alongside other classics owned by women. Check out the link above for a closer look at Carrie’s Corvair.

Don Garlits’ “Swamp Rat 37” Electric Dragster

For those of us who love good old classic internal combustion power, Don Garlits has a reveal that challenges our notion of what energy sources truly pack a punch. First and foremost, Don is an iconic figure within the drag racing community often regarded as the father of drag racing. He is also a Summit Racing legend so he’s been around and seen what it takes to build a dragster worthy of the stretch.

Garlits recently set out to build an electric powered dragster. Built by Lawless Industries, “Swamp Rat 37” is powered by a Hight Tech Systems battery pack that can generate 1,500 kw of electricity. In internal combustion terms that’s equivalent to over 2,000 hp. Electric motors provide instant torque and this produces some impressive 60-foot times. According to Summit Racing, “earlier this year, Swamp Rat 37 recorded 60-foot times in the low one second range and hit the 330 foot timers in 3.22 seconds. Don’s next goal is to be the first to run 200 mph in an electric dragster.”

“Swamp Rat 37” will be on display at the Lincoln Electric booth, #23527. To learn more about the car you can check it out here.

Rod Authority wishes the cars, their owners, those involved in the respective builds, and Summit Racing an event filled and memorable time at this year’s SEMA Show.