Chevy invites Transformers to SEMA show preview

It was all over. Just about all over. After getting lost in the vast Palazzo/Sands/Venetian lodging-shopping-convetioning-gambleplex, we'd found Chevy's SEMA show preview and borne witness to Brad Paisley's Silverado. We'd listened to Jeff Gordon spiel about his recent win at Martinsville and his enjoyment of the process of working with General Motors on the SS concept that bears his name. We'd channeled our inner Unknown Stuntman, ogling the resto-mod '78 Chevy pickup with the 5.3L EcoRod crate motor. We marveled at the even-more foot-pounds they'd torqued out of the Spark EV. We even managed to get a little excited when they pulled the cover off the Z/28, despite the fact that LS7-powered track-bruiser had debuted at the New York auto show last spring.

Then the lights went dark, save for some red circles skittering back and forth across the stage. Optimus Prime was calling out to the Autobots. We found ourselves sort of wishing GM had commissioned voice actor Peter Cullen to cover R.E.M.'s "Radio Free Europe." While we pondered what that would sound like (who would back him? the remaining members of Type-O Negative, perhaps?) out rolled the new Bumblebee, plus a Sonic rally car and that green Stingray with the Too Tall Jones wing. Michael Bay and the erstwhile Marky Mark appeared via a video message and said some words about some things. (No shout out to Lou Reed, Mr. Wahlberg? Poor form.)

As is the custom of the Detroit Three, Chevy's once again making a full-court press at SEMA; they've been trickling out their cars in dribs and drabs at places like the Texas State Fair. The Transformers' presence, however, was a surprise. Thankfully, we'll be safe from marauding malevolent robots if they happen to arrive at the show intending to pay the iron price for a set of 28-inch luxury rims. We'll take any sort of reassurance we can get in this town.

SEMA -- short for Specialty Equipment Marketing Association -- is the biggest aftermarket auto event in the world, held in Las Vegas each fall. The show fills multiple convention halls and shows off everything from high-performance OEM specials to custom wheels and graphics from local shops. Get the full rundown on what automakers and suppliers are up to at the industry's biggest trade show at our SEMA Show home page.

By Davey G. Johnson