Some of the most radical car builds stole the spotlight at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, but it appeared that electric vehicles chewed up a lot of that scenery at the event that ended Nov. 5. With the pandemic canceling last year's event, presenters made up for lost time, including Florida-based novelty garage Salvage to Savage, which hauled its prized Chevrolet pickup to Nevada. Granted, the crew garnered a great deal of attention on the showroom floor, but it wasn't all roses for the crew according to a video released Thursday.
Tesla Dual Engines Power This Chevy
The hubbub surrounded a 1985 Chevy C10 truck that Salvage to Savage completely gutted until the body became the only remnants of what used to be a GM product. The seven-month project involved adding a C5 Corvette front suspension system, part of a Tesla Model S rear frame, and a Tesla Model 3 electric dual-motor. They also widebodied the truck and painted it a metallic green.
Salvage To Savage went totally ape on other components such as Finspeed alloy wheels, a lower rear diffuser, and a rear spoiler. To showcase its racier side, the boys also installed a big-time roll cage, a high-end ventilation system, FuelTech dash displays, Status Racing bucket seats and steering wheel, and a digital monitor.
More Mopars Receiving EV Treatment
The alterations enabled the Salvage To Savage crew to blend in with the other modified electric vehicles at the Vegas event. Other participants included an owner of a 1972 Plymouth Satellite modified with a Tesla electric powertrain packing up to 600 horsepower and a 1957 Chevy refitted with a 350-horsepower electric engine.
Some of the refits look as impressive as those with blowout motors although one wag insisted that green energy is the way to go. "I know for a fact that electric's taking over," he said.
This Chevy EV Takes Out A Cabbie Door
But things turned dramatic on the crew's final day at SEMA when they decided to take the pickup for a spin around the city. Heading back to their hotel, the truck slowed down in the passenger loading area when one cab driver swung open his door only to see it get ripped off by the EV squarebody. The damage? One absent cabbie door, while the Chevy suffered a few scratches.
"Luckily nobody was hurt," said one Salvage to Savage mechanic, "we'll live to see another day and everything's gonna be all good."
Source: Salvage To Savage.