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    5 December 2017

    Behind the scenes at the 2017 LA motor show

    By Malcolm FlynnMalcolm Flynn
    • Gene Winfield's '35 Ford pick-up. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Gene Winfield's '35 Ford pick-up. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Daniel Nelson's '52 Henry J Drag Car. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Daniel Nelson's '52 Henry J Drag Car. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • There is more meat on those tyres than there is in American burgers. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) There is more meat on those tyres than there is in American burgers. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • "Big Daddy" Roth's '65 Ford F-100 shop truck. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) "Big Daddy" Roth's '65 Ford F-100 shop truck. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Yes, it's a reverse drag car. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Yes, it's a reverse drag car. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Interesting to see a parachute on the front. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Interesting to see a parachute on the front. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • This Ford Econoline has a mid-mounted V8. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) This Ford Econoline has a mid-mounted V8. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • I reckon this drag car could hit Mach IV. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) I reckon this drag car could hit Mach IV. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • When three engines aren't enough. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) When three engines aren't enough. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Remember the Ring Brothers' Pantera from SEMA 2013? (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Remember the Ring Brothers' Pantera from SEMA 2013? (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Is there enough Pantera left in it? (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Is there enough Pantera left in it? (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • This Pantera is powered by a 600hp LS3. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) This Pantera is powered by a 600hp LS3. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Apparently, Minnie Mouse drives an Odyssey. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Apparently, Minnie Mouse drives an Odyssey. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Even the ND MX-5 scored a Liberty Walk bodykit. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Even the ND MX-5 scored a Liberty Walk bodykit. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Nissan, seems to have been taken over by a 12 year-old. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Nissan, seems to have been taken over by a 12 year-old. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • May The Force be with you. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) May The Force be with you. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Heard of Aria? You have now. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Heard of Aria? You have now. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • The Aria FXE will use a supercharged, 6.2-litre V8. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) The Aria FXE will use a supercharged, 6.2-litre V8. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Does the new Vantage look better than the current one? (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Does the new Vantage look better than the current one? (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Do the taillights look similar to those on the Kia Stinger to you too? (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Do the taillights look similar to those on the Kia Stinger to you too? (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Taste the rainbow. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Taste the rainbow. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • The 2018 Commodore VXR but with Buick badges. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) The 2018 Commodore VXR but with Buick badges. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Sadly, it won't be a V8. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Sadly, it won't be a V8. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • The Ford Expedition has been set up as a camera car for Jay Leno's Garage YouTube channel. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) The Ford Expedition has been set up as a camera car for Jay Leno's Garage YouTube channel. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • There's custom 3rd row camera operator seats. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) There's custom 3rd row camera operator seats. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Ever wondered what the underneath of a NASCAR looks like? (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Ever wondered what the underneath of a NASCAR looks like? (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • And this is what the NASCAR looks like with the skin on. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) And this is what the NASCAR looks like with the skin on. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Hyundai's i30 N complete with race grime. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Hyundai's i30 N complete with race grime. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • This Stinger is like a Red Back Spider. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) This Stinger is like a Red Back Spider. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • The Kia Stinger looks good but this one looks tough. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) The Kia Stinger looks good but this one looks tough. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • This Stinger is the best looking car made by the team at West Coast Customs. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) This Stinger is the best looking car made by the team at West Coast Customs. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Orange isn't a colour every car can pull off. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Orange isn't a colour every car can pull off. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • The MX-5 Speedster and Spyder from the 2015 and '16 SEMA. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) The MX-5 Speedster and Spyder from the 2015 and '16 SEMA. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Team Joest's gorgeous racer, the Mazda RT24-P. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Team Joest's gorgeous racer, the Mazda RT24-P. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Mercedes-AMG's Project One will take on Aston Martin's Valkyrie. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Mercedes-AMG's Project One will take on Aston Martin's Valkyrie. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • The Project One will bring F1 tech to the road. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) The Project One will bring F1 tech to the road. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Mitsubishi's Outlander PHEV claimed a class victory and 19th outright in the 2014 Australasian Safari desert rally. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Mitsubishi's Outlander PHEV claimed a class victory and 19th outright in the 2014 Australasian Safari desert rally. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • The Saleen1 will house a turbocharged 2.5-litre, four clyinder. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) The Saleen1 will house a turbocharged 2.5-litre, four clyinder. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • With 336kW, Saleen claims the car will hit 100km/h in around 3.5sec. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) With 336kW, Saleen claims the car will hit 100km/h in around 3.5sec. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • The Tesla Model 3 is expected to arrive in Australia early 2019. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) The Tesla Model 3 is expected to arrive in Australia early 2019. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Worldwide, there are already 500,000 orders for the Tesla Model 3. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Worldwide, there are already 500,000 orders for the Tesla Model 3. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Not your standard Volkswagen Atlas. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Not your standard Volkswagen Atlas. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • We'll let the naked carbon fibre do the talking here. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) We'll let the naked carbon fibre do the talking here. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Remember the Ring Brothers' AMC Javelin from the 2017 SEMA? (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Remember the Ring Brothers' AMC Javelin from the 2017 SEMA? (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • The Ring Brothers looked to accentuate the Javelin's positives. We reckon they succeeded. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) The Ring Brothers looked to accentuate the Javelin's positives. We reckon they succeeded. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • The heart of this Javelin is a 1000hp Dodge Hellcat engine with a Whipple supercharger. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) The heart of this Javelin is a 1000hp Dodge Hellcat engine with a Whipple supercharger. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Forget the Defender, the Bollinger Motors B1 is an all-electric off-roader. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Forget the Defender, the Bollinger Motors B1 is an all-electric off-roader. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Jeep might have an upcoming plug-in Wrangler but the Bollinger is all-electric now. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Jeep might have an upcoming plug-in Wrangler but the Bollinger is all-electric now. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • This Ford Galaxie is a NASCAR legend. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) This Ford Galaxie is a NASCAR legend. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • It doesn't look anything like the NASCARs of today. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) It doesn't look anything like the NASCARs of today. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Can you imagine seeing this thing trundle down the street. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Can you imagine seeing this thing trundle down the street. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Can the LC looks be improved? Your call. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Can the LC looks be improved? Your call. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • The Lexus LX 570 on roids. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) The Lexus LX 570 on roids. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • You wouldn't take this up Big Red. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) You wouldn't take this up Big Red. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Lexus appears to have stolen this colour from Aston Martin. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Lexus appears to have stolen this colour from Aston Martin. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Lexus had its RC-F GT3 racer on show. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Lexus had its RC-F GT3 racer on show. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • GT4 might be a step down from GT3, but it's a lot closer to the cars we drive. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) GT4 might be a step down from GT3, but it's a lot closer to the cars we drive. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • This RWB 911 is wearing CarsGuide colours but we had nothing to do with it. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) This RWB 911 is wearing CarsGuide colours but we had nothing to do with it. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • SPOILER ALERT! (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) SPOILER ALERT! (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Speaking of spoiled... (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Speaking of spoiled... (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • As if the Porsche Carrera GT wasn't eye catching enough. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) As if the Porsche Carrera GT wasn't eye catching enough. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • New Camry gets a V8 and rear-wheel drive. For NASCAR at least. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) New Camry gets a V8 and rear-wheel drive. For NASCAR at least. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • Remember this 'Cruiser from SEMA 2016? (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) Remember this 'Cruiser from SEMA 2016? (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)
    • It'll do 220mph but it won't get you to The Cape anymore. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn) It'll do 220mph but it won't get you to The Cape anymore. (image credit: Malcolm Flynn)

    Like any international motor show, LA 2017 had a whole lot of cool stuff going on behind the scenes you probably won’t read about anywhere else. 

    A lot of manufacturers like to show off the breadth of their offerings with a few easter eggs, or if you’re like Nissan, go all Star Wars on our ass in lieu of any big product announcements. 

    Some like to show off personalisation possibilities, while there’s also a whole bunch of small-scale brands and aftermarket suppliers that generally don’t fit within our news coverage. 

    What were you surprised to see? Tell us in the comments.

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