CRASHING THE AFTERMARKET PARTY; Ford brings show-and-go parts to SEMA.(Ford Motor corp.)(Ford Genuine Accessories )(Ford Racing Performance )(Brief article)

Byline: JONATHAN WONG

With "American Muscle'' as the theme of this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas, Ford is betting that the annual aftermarket event will help the company further cash in on the $34 billion customizing industry.

For this year's SEMA vehicles, the automaker tapped into its own Ford Genuine Accessories and Ford Racing Performance Parts catalogs, starting with a manufacturer-tuned Mustang convertible. The convertible (top) gets an off-the-shelf supercharger, performance headers and exhaust that combine to push output to an estimated 435 hp. Powertain tuning comes from Ford Racing in the form of a simple software upgrade to the stock ECU. The suspension is swapped out in favor of the components found on the Shelby GT500. The car's appearance package includes a California Special body kit, 18-inch black Bullitt wheels, Shelby rear spoiler, hood stripes, blacked-out grille and stainless-steel fuel door. Blue powder- coated valve covers dress up the engine bay.

The growing truck aftermarket is the target of ...