SEMA Readies Student Jeep Builds for Big Spotlight

SEMA is preparing five unique Jeep Wranglers to be auctioned next week through BringaTrailer.com.

As part of SEMA’s High School Vehicle Build Program, each vehicle was customized by high school students working with industry volunteers and manufacturers. Sales from the vehicles will be used to fund future student projects, thereby creating a sustainable and growing program that provides students with real-world, hands-on educational experiences.

The five builds were funded in part from money raised from a pilot program the previous year. The program which debuted in the 2017-’18 school year included one vehicle that sold for more than $56,000. The proceeds were used to successfully expand the program to include five high schools in 2018-2019.

“We didn’t know what to expect during our first year,” said Zane Clark, SEMA senior director of education. “But we’re encouraged and excited that we were able to expand and grow the program. We’re anxious and hoping that the community will see the positive results that came from the pilot program, and that they will come out and support the program again this year.”

Bids will be accepted for the vehicles beginning July 15 through BringaTrailer.com. One vehicle will be released each day for five consecutive days-SEMA is calling it the SEMA Week of Customs-and will be available for bidding for seven days following its launch date. Proceeds from the vehicles will be reinvested into the program.

The auction schedule is as follows:

• July 15-2005 Jeep Wrangler customized by the Santa Fe Early College Opportunities (ECO) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Vehicle features a vented hood, trail doors, a 3/5-inch suspension kit with a 5-inch stretch from Rock Krawler Suspension and a full body repaint
• July 16-2004 Jeep Wrangler customized by the Comstock High School auto shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The only Jeep in the program with a hard top, this vehicle includes a roof rack form Just Jeep ‘N Stuff, LED headlights, full carpet replacement, bumpers, tire carrier and rock sliders from JcrOffroad, 4-inch Skyjacker suspension kit and a fresh coat of paint
• July 17-2002 Jeep Wrangler customized by C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Virginia. Features include a frame-off restoration with a painted chassis, extensive under-hood improvements, full body repaint, new windshield from Safelite, front door weatherstrip from Steele Rubber Products, new hood from LQK/Keystone and a Rancho Suspension 3.5-inch short arm suspension kit
• July 18-1997 Jeep Wrangler customized by Santa Ynez Valley Union High School in Santa Ynez, California. Vehicle includes 37-inch Atturo Off-Road Tires with Black Rock Wheels, Rugged Ridges products, T-REX grille, Superlift Suspension 4-inch lift kit and LLumar window tint
• July 19-x2004 Jeep Wrangler customized by R.L. Turner High School in Carrollton, Texas. Vehicle features winch and front bumper donated by Collins Bro’s Jeep, as well as custom seat belts from Seatbelt Planet, wheels from Rolling Big Power, and a trail rocker from Painless Performance.

For more details about the program and the vehicles, visit www.sema.org/student-builds or contact SEMA Youth Engagement Programs Manager Katie Hurst at katieh@sema.org.