Bernie's Car Show Coverage: Photos from the 2017 SEMA Show

Everyone in the automotive industry knows that the last couple of days in October into the early part of November is special. The Speciality Equipment Marketing Association trade show allows those in the automotive industry to see what’s new and the latest trends as well as how the product enhances the look of a vehicle, network with companies, learn how to grow your business in various ways, and also hobnob with some celebrities in the automotive world. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, attendees from as far as the other side of the world gathered to celebrate what was SEMA's 51st show...

...And I'll give you one guess who was there to take it all in. The 2017 SEMA show was my eighth show, but compared to some attendees (i.e. Chip Foose- whose first SEMA show that he attended was ironically the same year I was born), I'm still considered a newbie. I'm always like a kid in a candy store when arriving at SEMA. Once I'm done crying tears of joy, I dive right into the chaos- I meet great people who share some of the same similarities as I do and photograph great vehicles while enjoying some great weather. Like I've said for the past couple of years, I live for SEMA.

This year was different- normally I arrive in Vegas the first day of SEMA. I wanted to shake things up by landing the day before the show started, which was really interesting. I had the opportunity to watch the crew scramble to get everything together in time for the next day. I watched as Forgiato wheel company move cars around, Liberty Walk applying decals to the vehicles in their booth, contractors laying down carpet, detailers washing cars, owners putting that final coat of tire shine on their prized possessions. Yes, I was in the way of many people, taking in all the energy. In light of a recent, tragic event that created the #VegasStrong movement, security was uber tight, so I had to wait until the next day to view the vehicles indoors.

This year, I noticed a lot of wrapped vehicles, full-sized pickup trucks, vehicles on Pirelli and Toyo Tires, vehicles on Forgiato, Savini (they didn't even have a booth), and Rotiform wheels, wide body cars, and just in case you ignored me before- there were a lot of full-sized pickup trucks- either lowered to the ground or had raised suspension. Tire stickers were pretty popular as well. Also some companies (Vossen, Giovanna and Vosteiner wheel companies) had off site booths in hotel suites or they took over a luxury car dealership, referring to Giovanna Wheels.

All in all, I had a fantastic time while in Vegas and I will be back next year for my ninth show. So to see photos from SEMA, click on the links for each day- SEMA Sneak Peek, SEMA Day 1, SEMA Day 2, SEMA Day 3, SEMA Day 4 (including the cruise and SEMA Ignited), the Giovanna Wheels takeover, Auto Collections, and Corsa Rally galleries.

Bernie's Car Show Coverage: Photos from Caffeine and Exotics: October 2017

It's official, 2017 is officially coming to a close. Last Sunday, Caffeine and Exotics held their final show of the 2017 car show season. Held in the main parking lot of Atlanta's Lenox Square Mall, Caffeine and Exotics is the younger, more flashier sibling of Caffeine and Octane.

Caffeine and Exotics had plenty of high end vehicles for spectators to admire. From the abundance of Ferraris (especially the 488), to Chevy Corvettes, Nissan GTRs, Rolls Royce Dawn, Lamborghini Huracans and Aventadors, McLaren 720s, and the one of the stars of the show- the Barbus Mercedes Benz 4x4 Wagons (they shared the spotlight with the Butler Tire customized Ferrari 488 GTBs).

To see the rest of the photos, check out Bernie's Caffeine and Exotics: October 2017 gallery. And now I am officially ready for SEMA.

Bernie's Car Show Coverage: Photos from Caffeine and Octane: October 2017

Last Sunday, Caffeine and Octane held their tenth show of 2017. Held at the Perimeter Mall outside of Atlanta in Dunwoody, Georgia, Caffeine and Octane allows car enthusiasts from all over to bring their cars and to show them off.

As the months go by, Caffeine and Octane’s attendance (in both spectators and vehicles) has been growing more and more. It doesn’t matter if you show up in a classic Ford Mustang, a multi-colored Lamborghini Huracan, Porsche Carrera S, a lowered Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, a vintage Chevrolet 3100 truck, or one of the many other vehicles that still allowed those that admire cars to appreciate them for the beauty that they are.

To see the rest of the photos, check out Bernie's Caffeine and Octane: October 2017 gallery, but to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure if I will make it to next month's show. I'll probably will be recovering from SEMA.

Bernies Return Trip to the Petersen Automotive Museum

My trips to Los Angeles will never be fully complete without going to this particular place. I absolutely love the Petersen Automotive Museum. Although this is my fourth time gracing this location, it always feels like the very first time... and no I'm not going to sing the song.

Just in case if you're not familiar with the Petersen, allow me to fill you in. The Petersen Automotive Museum is one of-- if not the greatest automotive museums in the world. Started by Hot Rod magazine founder Robert Petersen and his wife Margie (Fun fact: Margie was a native New Yorker), the Petersen Automotive Museum started out as a dream. The Petersens purchased the building that was once the home of Ohrbach’s department store and on June 11th, 1994, the Petersen Automotive Museum opened it's doors on the corner of Fairfax Ave and Wilshire Blvd.

The museum showcases over 100 vehicles spread out on four floors. The ground floor focuses on automotive artistry. The second floor is principally concerned with industrial engineering—including design, performance, and a collection of interactive teaching exhibits. The third floor chronicles the history of the automobile with an emphasis on the car culture of Southern California. And then there's the basement, which is the home of the Vault- over 150 additional Hollywood, race, and ultra rare vehicles. Sadly, photography isn't allowed in the vault.

The featured exhibit during this particular visit was the High Art of Riding Low, which features a staple to the Los Angeles' automotive culture, the lowrider. Walking in the building, I was greeting by no other, but Gypsy Rose, a 1964 Chevrolet Impala that happens to be the world's most famous lowrider.  How famous is she? Glad you asked. Gypsy Rose is so famous, the Historic Vehicle Association inducted her into the National Historic Vehicle Register, where her specifications, photos, detailed scans, entire life story will be archived for all time by the Library of Congress.

All in all, the Petersen Automotive Museum gives enthusiasts a chance to emerge themselves in some much needed and always appreciated automotive culture. To see the rest of my photos, check out Bernie's Petersen Automotive Museum gallery. Until next time, Los Angeles...

Bernie's Car Show Coverage: Long Beach Swap Meet: September 2017

After I left Sunset GT, I rushed over to Long Beach to go to my first swap meet, a milestone in my life. I found out about Long Beach Swap Meet from Glasses Malone, a rapper/producer who happens to have a deep love for street racing-- and also building cars to race in. Fast forward a few weeks later, and on September 10th, I was pulling up to Long Beach Veterans Stadium for their monthly meet.

I didn't know what I was in for. First of all, this was my first time at a swap meet. New York doesn't refer to them as swap meets. We call them flea markets (and they sell everything) and they're held indoors, seven days a week. But this was different, every vendor sells automotive items... Plus this wasn't just a swap meet, it was a car show too. California has an unique automotive culture and many enthusiasts build their cars. The venders at Long Beach Swap Meet actually sells every part of the car you would need to build one. I've seen motors, seats, doors, hoods, side fenders, bolts, steering wheels, screws, headlights, bumpers, paint, etc. You name it, there's someone there selling it.

Although I did have a grand time at Sunset GT, I wished that it didn't overlap with Long Beach Swap Meet. I was only able to spend the final 90 minutes of the show photographing cars, meeting people, and of course... Shopping. Believe me when I say that I will be back.

To see the rest of the photos, check out Bernie's Long Beach Swap Meet gallery. Did I mention how much fun I had?