A DeLorean Turbo Widebody for the Future

Not Another Back to the Future DeLorean

When fresh automotive news or SEMA builds debut there are many outlets jockeying for position and trying to leapfrog competitor’s publishing dates. But the planets can align when scheduling, connections and a unique angle all work together to capture a feature not seen elsewhere. This time around when the silver twin-turbo DeLorean debuted at SEMA and filled everyone’s feed, we kinda sat back and went: “yeah I know that car, the owner and it’s 15 minutes away,” with smugness. And with that we reached out to builder Tim Moceri of Salvage to Savage garage, who all of a sudden became internet famous in the first few days of November this year.

Tim is a friend for a number of years and we’ve actually collaborated on a build before. Tim crafted an incredible widebody Lexus project that was about to take the internet and SEMA by storm but a number of different factors meant it was mostly a learning experience. The DeLorean has been Tim’s time to flex. He had the hot Gen X platform, a real budget, and the right team at Salvage to Savage garage and well, Tim describes it as “redemption that has solidified future SEMA Shows” for him and we couldn’t hit the ‘LIKE’ button more on that statement.

SEMA 2021 might have been a different show thanks to our old buddy COVID but there was an “it car” from the show and that was this DeLorean. The silhouette of the DeLorean has been made iconic by Hollywood and desired by many 80s kids but if you have ever read a real review, it was hot garbage. An anemic motor, questionable build quality and an assembly line so far in trouble it needed JohnDeLorean to sell cocaine to support it, spelled disaster for the DeLorean… well until now.

If you are wondering about your level of color-blindness, yes the DeLorean is now gold. Wrapped in a sexy satin gold by Von Wraps of Boca Raton, FL, the new look was to set it apart from the SEMA splash. There is also a potential buyer that has an all gold fleet, so draw your own conclusions. 

Conceptualized by the Instagram legend known as The Kyza (Khyzyl Saleem), who put together renderings for this project and is himself stunned at the integrity of the actual build. “Everyone is freaking out how the entire build down to the headlights and taillights emulates Kyza’s drawing,” says Tim “We took what Kyza couldn’t cut and weld together and made it without compromise or changes. It wasn’t supposed to look like anything but the rendering we thought.”

The donor DeLorean DMC-12, was found painted in red and had been in a major accident, so there was no destruction of a perfect collectible car here (not that they sell for much anyway). The stainless steel shell was heavily modified with a widebody flare, which has a carbon fiber composite update in development. A number of bezels and panels along with front fascia were crafted in satin black to work with the SEMA Silver and now the Miami Gold.

The wheels have also made an impact for the build and came from new sponsor Sköl Wheels of California. The custom size and offset Sköl SK17 3-Piece Modular Series were finished in brushed satin face with a polished lip. The aggressive stance of the DeLorean is thanks to Air Lift suspension mated to KW Suspension Variant 3 coilovers made possible by the magic Moceri worked to mount them as there are no part numbers fitting a DMC-12.

Tim is a horsepower addict, this is a guy that built a quad turbo LS truck and for the DeLorean he went with good ol’ GM know-how, the 5.2L LS V8. Not just any LS but a built motor fitted with a pair of Garrett G-Series turbos (unfiltered of course) and modulated by TurboSmart HyperGate 45 wastegates. The plumbing is all TiTek titanium with Vibrant Performance hardware and mastercrafted by Tim to tuck up under the rear bumper in a unique blend of show and go. The whole engine package is orchestrated by a Haltech ECU to make it all play nice together. The twin turbo LS mill is fitted to a Porsche 996 6-speed transaxle to drive power to those fat rear tires.

After the triumphant return from SEMA, Tim didn’t sleep on his accomplishments but got to work with Salvage to Savage on the next steps. Tim is back at the workbench on perfecting the running and driving dynamics of the DeLorean and producing parts in carbon fiber because he says along with this potential buyer, there may be a market. “Thankfully, I have another DMC-12 at the shop if we have to start producing more of these.”

We couldn’t agree more Tim, if we had unlimited car money too we would hop on the list because as fans of all things 80s, there isn’t a better DeLorean tribute out there.

Strange Custom Cars at SEMA

Tank Treads, Fabricated Bodies, and Unique Paint Jobs

These custom cars at SEMA this year really push the limits on what it means to have a modified car. SEMA is a show which primarily focuses on aftermarket performance and cosmetic modifications on cars, and the companies who make them. But among the supercars, tuners, truck, and muscle you get some very creative, and strange creations from some innovative and possibly mentally unstable builders. These guys bring a unique perspective, and love them or hate them, they definitely set the bar for modifications.

These are our best and strangest custom cars we saw at SEMA this year in Las Vegas.

First up we saw a couple of snow track oddities that were not the Ford Bronco. The riveted one being a Custom Bug Out Jeep Gladiator built by Expedition Vehicle Outfitters with custom metalwork done to it. If one of the treads somehow falls off they have a spare Milestar Patagonia Tire attached to the back of the vehicle as well, just in case.

We also saw this Humvee with snow treads, but this one had a giant Battleship horn attached to it by ProdigyTV on youtube.

Artist Rocketbyz, showed off this Pikes Peak ready Audi Quattro with his signature neon paint splatter paint job. Reminiscent of all the previous art cars from the past.

Chevy Revealed a custom desert Off-Road concept truck called the Chevy Beast based off the Silverado platform. It has 5 link suspension, Four wheel drive and a body that looks like its built for the UNSC.

Next Up we have a couple of Custom Trucks, one low one hight. The blue one is a Hodson JRT10 Truck with a Jeep Wagoneer front end and a Viper V10 engine.

This one is a 6×6 C10 with 1000hp and a wing instead of a truck-bed built by Deberti.

Best Modified Supercars at SEMA

Widebody Corvettes, Lowered Ferraris, and Amazing Lamborghinis

These mid engined supercars were built to be fast, but some builders at SEMA this year decided that they did not look cool enough. Widebody, air suspension, big wings and aero, three-piece wheels and of course fancy paint makes these stand out from their stock counterparts. Whether you are a purist or prefer modified cars, this set of cars we saw will definitely stun you.

With the new Corvette mid engined propelling the brand into supercar territory, many companies have jumped on the opportunity to transform the corvette body into something more stunning. Many jaw dropping wide body corvettes were on display here in Las Vegas.

If we raise our budget by a lot we get to see this cool Mint green Ferrari 488 that has been lowered, put on some nice white wheels and subjected to downforce. Brought to us by DNA Motoring.

Also brought to us by DNA Motoring is this AMG GT that looks like its ready for a track day and a clean car show at the same time.

FInally we have a couple Lambo’s that have gotten the treatment as well. This is youtuber TJ Hunt’s British Racing Green Lamborghini Huracan with a 1016 Widebody kit and sitting on Gold HRE wheels.

Classic V8 Muscle Cars

Clean and Low Restomods at SEMA 2021

Muscle cars and Hot Rods have been the backbone of SEMA since the beginning. Year after year not only do they show up, they are some of the most immaculate and classiest builds the 2021 SEMA Show has to offer. As we were perusing the show floor, we happened to see some beautiful examples. Lets take a peek at what V8s are rumbling around SEMA. (none probably, we’d be surprised if anything actually ran at SEMA)

Right off the bat are a couple of Chevelles so clean and modded you can barely recognize them!

Next we have this gorgeous blue Fastback Mustang and this slick Camaro. Both retain that classic styling but have opted for much more modern trim pieces, bringing these old geezers into the 21st Century.

Next up we have a couple of Old Chevy Trucks done in two completely different finishes. One With a nice slick green paint job that highlights those 50s body lines.

The other finished in a patina paint so strong it looks like it was pulled out of a lake! But there probably isn’t a spec of rust on this Apache.

Update: The owner of the build reached out to us and confirmed that this Apache is indeed 100% real patina.

“My Apache literally burned to the ground in the 2018 NorCal Paradise Fire and was on live tv doing so […] No rattle can patina, pure fire, then rain.  […] It was important for me to build this ride so people wouldn’t forget the devastation of that fire and when they see the truck, they know something survived.”Jason Fonte

Rare JDM Cars at the 2021 SEMA SHOW

Million Dollar Skyline GTRs, Special RX7s, and Widebody Nissan Zs in Las Vegas

Spotting a Nissan or a Toyota is something you can do in your grocery store parking lot, but the ones you find at the SEMA Show are a little bit more special. Actually, that is an understatement, these are some of the most sought after JDM cars and some of the most popular styles in the Tuner scene. In terms of JDM and Tuner cars there is all sorts of stuff at SEMA this year, some of which you will never see, and others that you will probably see on retail very soon, with a couple only being JDM inspired. Come check out these JDM gems that we’ve spotted at SEMA 2021!

We never were sold any skylines in the US until Infiniti G35, and so to say that they are rare here is an understatement, especially for these two GTRs. This is the first R33 GTR 400R to come to the US and only 44 400Rs ever made. Named 400R because of its 400hp output, this was the rarest and craziest Skyline to come from the factory. Specifically this is a 400R in Sonic Silver making it a one of 5 ever made. Brought out by Top Rank Imports, this Skyline definitely stole the show

Vehicle: Nissan Skyline GTR R33 400R Sonic SilverThe other one is a Midnight Purple II V Spec GTR which cost about the same as Lamborghinis, one of the rarest color combos and trim packages for the R34 GTR.

We also spotted this Origin Widebody S14 Kouki with a 2JZ VVti Stuffed in it. It is hard to look past those stunning custom headlights though, but you’ll probably be staring at the tail lights of this thing if you caught it on the street.

You know the brand new GR 86/ BRZ? HKS is already making a new exhaust system so that you can sputter and bang your boxer as quickly as possible.

We also Saw this yellow RX7 from Fortune Auto, sporting a full RE Amemiya kit with the aero headlights.

Check out this S30 Widebody Z from Extreme wraps. It might look different from a standard 240Z or 260Z because of the slicker aero front end, referred to as a G Nose.

Finally here’s a couple BMWs that have adopted a lot a of the JDM tuner style and incorporated them into their Bavarian Builds.

Best New Ford Bronco Performance Parts at the SEMA Show

Upgraded, Modified, and Off-Road Ready Broncos

After a couple decades, a few car chases and a whole lot of horsing around, the Ford Bronco is back for 2021! Well, it has been back for a minute now, but after a year we’re all trying to forget, we’ll call SEMA 2021 the official year of the new Bronco.

This year’s SEMA we get to really see what companies have come up with to further develop performance parts for the new Bronco Platform. Turning the Ford Bronco into a very capable machine is not a new concept, in fact it has been the name of the game since the Bronco first came out in 1965. Over the years we’ve seen time and time again that the Bronco is not just a practical suburban cruiser, with some upgrades the Bronco becomes an off-roading monster.

Here’s a sampling of some of our favorites at SEMA with some of the most insane versions coming from Ford themselves!

FIrst off is this Rhino Rack Bronco build by Doetsch Off-Road, fitted with all of the camping luxuries that you can think of! Upgraded Bumpers with LED lights, custom fenders from ADV Advanced Fiberglass Concepts to fit those Big tires on Fifteen52wheels, an extendable cover, and to Top it off, a Canoe!

We also spotted this Black Diamond Bronco from Havoc Off Road, upgraded with bead lock wheels, custom Winch Compatible front bumper, an orange skid plate, and some custom metal side steps to get you in this lifted Bronco.

Don’t like mountains? How about the Desert instead! Look at these race variants also from Ford. These have so many Custom parts that It would be easier just to list what isn’t changed.

Do you wan’t a tank but have a Family too? Well, Ford put some treads on this Bronco, so that you can simply avoid the lines at the Ski Lift.