The SEMA Battle of the Builders is the aftermarket industry’s ultimate competition for custom builders. For 12 years, it has given builders a platform to show their talent, creativity, and craftsmanship in modifying cars, trucks, and SUVs. The 2025 Top 12 lineup features the most advanced and detailed builds of this year’s show. Here are all of them, and the winner of each category.
Hot Rods & Hot Rod Trucks
WINNER: Troy Trepanier – 1936 Ford Roadster
Troy Trepanier of Rad Rides presented a 1936 Ford Roadster built completely from scratch. Every part of the car, from the frame to the convertible top, was made by hand. It runs a 312-cubic-inch Ford Y-block with a McCollough supercharger, modern electronic fuel injection, and 3D-printed exhaust manifolds. Power is delivered through a Bowler 4R70W transmission and a Winters Quick Change rear axle.
Troy Gudgel – 1959 Chevrolet Impala
Troy Gudgel’s 1959 Chevrolet Impala is packed with custom sheetmetal and hand-built details. Every trim piece, bumper, grille, and taillight was crafted from scratch. The build is powered by an LT1 engine and rides on one-off wheels 20/21" with 16-inch brakes and a fully custom interior. With 500+ miles already on the odometer, it’s built to drive.
Kyle Kuhnhausen – 1966 Chevrolet Corvette
Kyle Kuhnhausen’s 1966 Corvette is built on an Art Morrison IRS chassis and powered by an LT4 direct-injection engine mated to a ZF8HP-70 transmission. It features Wilwood brakes, JRI shocks, Forgeline center-lock wheels, Michelin tires, and a full custom BUX leather interior finished in Le Mans Blue.
Sport Compact, Import Performance, Luxury & Exotics
WINNER: Tim Franklin – 1960 Porsche Custom 356
Tim Franklin’s team rebuilt a 1960 Porsche 356B that was in terrible shape into a sleek custom. It has rolled rocker panels, roof brake slots, a one-piece aluminum deck. Power jumps from 70 to 165 hp for better driveability. The build has working semaphores, electric A/C, and disc brakes, all designed and built in-house. Only the wheels are outsourced.
John Sarkisyan – 1971 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman
Named “Final Boss” by S-Klub LA, the 1971 Mercedes 600 is actually the chassis, powertrain, and complete interior of a 2024 S63 AMG, mated to a fully custom 600 Pullman body. It produces 1,000 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque, merging a custom classic Mercedes design with the modern performance of the top-of-the-line Mercedes AMG sedan.
David Guadagnoli – 1967 Ford GT40 MKIV
David Guadagnoli’s 1967 GT40 MKIV was hand-built from scratch using original body molds from the legendary Ford GT40. It runs a heavily modified 5.0-liter Coyote V8 producing 1,200 horsepower, staying true to the GT40’s racing heritage while using modern engineering.
4-Wheel Drive & Off-Road
WINNER: Ron Jones – 1973 VW Thing
Ron Jones’ 1973 VW Thing features more than 350 custom-machined components and a one-off chassis. The only original part remaining is the windshield frame. It’s powered by a Porsche 930 engine stroked to 3.2 liters, paired with a 996 gearbox.
Michael Dascoli – 1969 International Scout
The International Scout “THREE” pushes past 1,000 horsepower with a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 from Wegner Motorsports and a 2.9-liter Whipple supercharger. Almost nothing remains from the original body, almost all of it is built from scratch. It sits on a Roadster Shop RS4 chassis with a four-link suspension, a reinforced drivetrain, and a handsewn Sew Cal Rods interior, packed with countless one-off details throughout.
Woody Ferrebee – 1966 Ford Bronco
Woody Ferrebee’s 1966 Ford Bronco, named “Super Bad,” sits on a Badass Broncos chassis and is powered by an 800-horsepower Ford Performance Gen 4X Coyote V8 with a Whipple Supercharger. The build includes custom paint, interior, and complete mechanical detailing throughout.
Young Guns by BF Goodrich Tires
WINNER: Thomas Dickerson – 1967 Chevrolet C10
Thomas Dickerson built this custom C10 truck from scratch, fabricating everything from the chassis to the interior. It features flush glass, custom headlights, and a bed made of Brazilian ironwood with machined runners. The truck bed is fully electronic and lifts to reveal detailed chassis and driveline work underneath. A polished TIG-welded exhaust, electric bed door, and 3D-printed interior parts highlight his craftsmanship.
Dustyn Dell – 1969 Chevrolet C10
Dustyn Dell’s 1969 Chevrolet C10 truck highlights detailed metalwork and modern American muscle. The build preserves the classic style of the C10 truck while modernizing everything underneath.
Cameron Cocalis – 1988 BMW E30 325i
Cameron Cocalis built a 1988 BMW E30 325i using a full-tube space-frame chassis engineered around C6 Corvette suspension geometry. The car is powered by a naturally aspirated 427 LS engine producing 750 horsepower, paired with a Tremec Magnum transmission. It features a custom ITB intake, Haltech Nexus Rebel wiring, and Bag Riders suspension.
What’s Next
The overall winner of the 2025 SEMA Battle of the Builders will be announced on Friday, November 7. But looking at the Top 12 lineup, let alone the Top 4, the field is already stacked with world-class craftsmanship. From here on, whether it’s the category winners or the final champion, the difference is almost impossible to measure. These are the best of the best.
Meet Pedal Commander® at West Hall Booth 57095
We’re live and kicking at our West Hall booth #57095. Drop by, meet the crew, and see the Pedal Commander® throttle response controller in action on our demo rig. Also, Mammoth4Runner’s full-blown 6th-Gen 4Runner is parked right in front and center on our booth. We’ve got a few more surprises waiting for you, and you can catch drift kings and racers pulling up to our booth!
Images: SEMA.org
