1999 SEMA Auto Show

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What's the third-largest annual convention to take place in Las Vegas? A gathering so massive that it requires both the Las Vegas and the Sands Convention Centers? It's called SEMA, or the Specialty Equipment Market Association. It may sound daunting, but that's really just a fancy way of saying America's largest aftermarket-product showcase. If you've ever purchased embroidered floor mats, chrome wheels or a loud exhaust system, chances are the manufacturer who sold it to you has a booth at the SEMA show during the first week of November.

Every year the show gets bigger and 1999 was no exception. With over 5,500 vender booths, 800 new product introductions and 140,000-plus people, the aisles were jammed with manufacturers, suppliers, buyers, and, of course, media hacks. For years the show has been attracting the attention of automakers, and in recent years the Big Three have started treating SEMA as they would any major auto show, complete with press conferences and model introductions. Although we don't have the resources to show you every product display from SEMA, we did our best to record the major model intros for your viewing pleasure.