SEMA 2010 Features BMW-to-Baja Transformation, Welding Demos
The 2010 SEMA Show was held Nov. 2-5, 2010 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where Miller showcased Bill Caswell’s live BMW-to Baja transformation and hands-on welding demonstrations.
The 2010 SEMA Show, the world's largest automotive specialty show, recently drew more than 100,000 show attendees and 1,800 exhibitors to the Las Vegas Convention Center for four action-packed days, highlighting the latest trends and innovation in the specialty-equipment industry.
From new products to live demos and tricked-out vehicles, the eye candy was everywhere.
While not as lavish, Bill Caswell’s complete overhaul of a junkyard ‘80s BMW into a Baja vehicle was clearly a crowd favorite.
Live from the Miller booth, the hardcore do-it-yourselfer worked to construct the Baja vehicle in preparation for racing in the SCORE Baja 1000. The transformation included the welding and installation of a roll cage as well as integration of rear subframe and trailing arms, and suspension for the off-road vehicle.
Check out the SEMA Show 2010 playlist via Miller’s YouTube channel or visit MillerWelds.com/SEMA to learn more about Caswell’s background and view videos tracking his daily progress while at the show.
Less than two weeks after departing the show floor, Caswell’s homemade Baja vehicle passed inspection and he made the starting line in the SCORE Baja 1000. Caswell unfortunately experienced difficulty after ripping the steering rack from his vehicle and was unable to complete the race.
Bill Caswell inspects his homemade Baja vehicle during Baja 1000.
View the final race results here. Caswell fans can also visit Caswell Motorsport for more information on his future racing activities.
More from the Miller Booth at SEMA
In addition to the BMW-to-Baja transformation, show attendees were encouraged to ask for hands-on demonstrations of Miller’s newest generation of MIG welding, TIG welding and plasma cutting equipment.
Visitors got “under the hood” to try their hand at welding and get their technical questions answered by Miller product experts.
Miller product manager John Swartz explains the Diversion™ Advantage to a customer following a hands-on TIG demonstration.
New at this year's SEMA show was the Diversion™ 180 AC/DC TIG welder which has a 180-amp max power output for tackling most automotive TIG applications. Also featured with the TIG machine was the MVP™, a Multi-Voltage Plug, giving the operator the ability to connect to 115 or 230V receptacles without the use of additional tools. View a video of John Swartz, TIG product manager for Mi ller, as he highlights key features of the easy-to-use TIG welder developed for the personal user.
Other products on display and/or available for demonstration included:
Millermatic® 211 Auto-Set™ with MVP™
Spoolmate™ 100 and 200 Series Spool Guns
Also announced during this year’s show was the winner of Miller’s Hood Hysteria welding helmet design contest. The new Weld Bead Limited Edition Series Welding Helmet was inspired by Doug Lamperski of Cheswick, Penn.
By visiting MillerWelds.com/SEMA throughout SEMA, fans had access to exclusive interviews and points of interest from the show floor, including a live feed of the BMW-to-Baja transformation. The below videos and other show highlights remain available for viewing:
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Elaine Larsen, driver of the Miller Jet Dragster, stopped by to check out the Miller products that put her car together.
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Zane Cullen, owner of Cotati Speed Shop, showcased project Josephine.
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Constable Mike Wynnyk of nonprofit Street Legal utilizes street race cars to educate youth about hazards of street racing and anti-street racing messages.
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Kyle Tucker of Detroit Speed & Engineering highlighted Miller’s influence in his business success.
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Dar Holdsworth, and his team at Brass Balls Cycles, used the Miller Dynasty® 200 to weld together the RLX bike which will be auctioned off to benefit U.S. troops with post traumatic stress disorder.
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Ali Arsham of GoGoGear.com talked about how Miller products were used in building the Hyundai Genesis Coupe race car.
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A slideshow of all things SEMA, including the hottest rides and welding action from the Miller booth.
Thanks to everyone who visited the Miller booth and we’ll see you next year at SEMA 2011!
