2023 SEMA Show: Starring Toyota's NASCAR V8-powered LandCruiser

Formula 1 will soon descend on Las Vegas, but this week it’s all about the SEMA Show. The annual festival of custom car creations.

This automotive menagerie inspires some of the world’s most creative car builders but also allows the big car brands to go wild with one-off creations and preview new options.

GALLERY: 2022 SEMA Show highlights

Here are some of the highlights from the 2023 Show.

Toyota ‘FJ Bruiser’

The LandCruiser name is returning to the US market so Toyota decided to remind everyone of its heritage – SEMA style. The ‘FJ Bruiser’ is a 1966 FJ45 Pickup that has been transformed into a NASCAR V8-powered rock-crawler.

That’s right, this ‘66 off-roader is powered by the same TRD V8 engine that powers the likes of Denny Hamiln and Martin Truex Jr every Sunday on the NASCAR circuit.

Another cool touch, amid a myriad of customisation, is the steering wheel that was taken from one of Jackie Stewart’s 1960s race cars.

Nissan Z Safari Rally tribute

Nissan used its latest Z sports car to celebrate one of its most famous rally wins, the 1971 East African Safari with the iconic 240Z.

That means a range of off-road-friendly upgrades for this modern sports coupe, including raised suspension, underbody protection, prototype Nismo Safari alloy wheels and Yokohama off-road tyres.

It also gets a red and black paint scheme to match the original 240Z Safari winner.

Ford Ranger and Bronco upgrades

In keeping with the off-road theme, Ford Performance Parts division is using SEMA to showcase its new range of off-road upgrades for the Ranger, Bronco and Bronco Sport models.

And they’re relying on Australian know-how, with a raft of ARB-developed parts developed specifically for the Ranger, including an ARB overland suspension kit, front and rear bumpers and jack and mount.

Thanks to the similarities between the Ranger and Bronco, these parts are also available on the SUV, as well as a Bilstein suspension package and a Borla cat-back exhaust.

Ford Mustang Street Package

The new Mustang wasn’t ignored by Ford though, with the FP800S concept package revealed at SEMA. This kit for the V8-powered GT allows owners to bolt-on a Whipple supercharger to bump the power to a very healthy 800hp (596kW).

To handle the extra grunt the FP800S kit also includes a half-shaft upgrade kit and a lowered suspension package. You can also add a Borla cat-back exhaust if you want an even louder soundtrack from your new supercharged ‘Stang.

Jaguar E-Type

SEMA never disappoints when it comes to crazy car builds, whether you think they’re great or sacrilege, there’s always something truly unusual and unique every year. And in 2023 that prize goes to the 1969 Jaguar E-Type powered by a Toyota Supra 2JZ engine.

For some that will be a disastrous waste of a classic British car, but for others it’s a modern twist on a classic. The 2JZ is certainly a modern classic, beloved by JDM fans, and certainly a big performance enhancement from the original Jaguar straight-six.