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SEMA Unveils Interactive Exhibit at Automotive Hall of Fame

27 April 1999

SEMA Unveils Interactive Exhibit at Automotive Hall of Fame; SEMA Hall of Fame Members Present for the Unveiling

    DIAMOND BAR, Calif., April 27 -- SEMA, the Specialty
Equipment Market Association, announced this week the grand opening of an
exciting interactive exhibit in the Automotive Hall of Fame, Dearborn, Mich.
The Hall of Fame is a prominent repository of auto industry historical
highlights and exclusive features.  Unveiling of the SEMA exhibit will take
place on Thursday, May 6, during a special invitation-only reception.
    Presiding over the unveiling ceremonies will be dignitaries of the
association and the Hall of Fame: Brian Appelgate, SEMA chairman of the board;
Charlie Van Cleve, chairman elect; Charles R. Blum, president of the
association; and Gene McKinney, director of the Hall of Fame.
    "The Automotive Hall of Fame is the ideal venue for SEMA to present a
display that represents the historical significance of the specialty
automotive market," stated Charles R. Blum.  "The relationship between the
accessories industry and the automotive industry has evolved into a powerful
synergy that works to the benefit of motorists everywhere."
    Other dignitaries to be in attendance at the private ceremony including
SEMA Hall of Fame members, among them Linda Vaughn, the First Lady of Auto
Racing; Els Lohn, a founder of the trade group; and Bob Spar, one of the
pioneers of safety standards in auto racing.  A total of 87 accessory industry
luminaries are featured in the SEMA Hall of Fame.  Visitors can reference
individuals honored by the association and industry and read about their
contributions to the auto industry and the accessory and performance markets.
    The public opening of the SEMA exhibit is Saturday, May 8, at which time
the Automotive Hall of Fame will feature an outdoor car show.  According to
Bob Patteri of SEMA: The parking lot show will feature upward of 60 unique
vehicles, rods, customs, classics and antiques all among them.  Viewing is
free to the public from 9 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon.  All
visitors will receive a free commemorative poster.
    Patteri explained that visitors to the car show will be able to enter the
Automotive Hall of Fame at half-price, enabling participation in the SEMA
interactive exhibit.  A premium feature of the presentation is a "build your
own hot rod or truck" interactive which allows the user to paint his hot rod
or truck and accessorize it to his or her liking.
    SEMA is a trade group that represents the specialty and performance
industry internationally.  It is a $19.3 billion segment of the automotive
parts and accessories industry.
    For more information on the event, contact SEMA at 909/396-0289,
extension 158.