An international panel of judges consisting of industry experts, hobbyists and past winners spent nearly two days non-stop deliberating on the 8^th Annual Shine Award competition at the 2008 SEMA Show.

In addition to the Shine, 13 Mothers Choice Awards were also presented to the following:

2009 Nissan GT-R built by Zele Performance Inc. 3.8L Twin-Turbo V6 with Zele ECM tuned to 550 HP. Transmission and rear is stock Borg-Warner. Features Zele exhaust and body kit covered in Lamborghini Orange. Build time was 10 months. This vehicle was tested in Japan by Hot Version Magazine as the fastest GT-R in their R35 face off. Located in Eneos Booth #24501, Central Hall.

1951 Henry J belonging to Joe Fuso and built by Lakeside Rods and Rides of Rockwell City, Iowa. Powerplant is a GM LS-364 feeding 440 HP to a 9-inch Ford rear. Air Ride Technologies suspension cushions the Art Morrison Chassis. Super Jet Black DuPont Hot Hues paint covers the custom body with a 4 stretch, wider quarter panels, El Dorado quarter vents,  67 Chevy roof and many hand-built parts. Build time was 1-1/2 years. Located in the DuPont Hot Hues Booth #22593 in Central Hall.

2008 Kremyr Coupe owned and built by Helmut Musil. Candy Apple Red paint is on body work by Jasper's Custom Auto Refinishing. Powertrain is a Ford Racing 347 CI, 500 HP engine with TWM Induction throttle bodies and Seimens Deka injectors controlled by a VEMS EFI engine management system. A Tilton Racing Triple Disc clutch is linked to a Gforce T-5 gearbox and a 9 Ford 3-link rear. Suspension features Aldan Eagle double-adjustable coil overs and AP Racing Air Jacks. Custom CNC wheels and hubs are wearing Michelin Sport Cup rubber and are stopped by Wilwood 6-pistion calipers and 14-inch rotors. Custom made LED turn signals and lights, CompuStar keyless entry. Aerospace firewall and components connectors. Build time was 2-1/2 years. Located outside under canopy.

1956 Ford F-100 owned by Harold Robinson and built by Michael's Rod Shop in Franklinville, North Carolina. Covered in PPG Galapagos Green and Olive Silver, build time was 1 year and 8 months. Powered by a 454 Big Block with 700R Transmission, it s braked with 13 Wilwood rotors. Pie-cut roof, custom dash and console featuring 2007 Nissan Altima dash pod and Classic Instruments gauges. South African Lace Wood accentuates the bed. Located in the SEMA-HRIA/ARMO Councils booth #23287 in Central Hall.

1958 Chrysler New Yorker convertible owned by William  Tom Gerrard of Manalapan, Florida and built by American Classic Auto Restoration of Louisa, Virginia. Drivetrain is a 392 Hemi with 3-speed pushbutton Torqueflite automatic and Sure-Grip differential. Paint is PPG Matador Red. Interior features Highway Hi-Fi with remote radio foot control, auto pilot, 6-way power seat, Bennis steering clock and factory Airtemp air conditioning. With only 4,800 original miles, this second-owner New Yorker took 9,000 hours over 3 years to build, and is one of 13 in existence. Located in the SEMA-HRIA/ARMO Councils booth #23287 in Central Hall.

2008 Cadillac CTS owned by Serge Leger and built by Henry s Auto Body in New Brunswick, Canada. The two-month build includes a LSX block with LS7 Heads and twin Turbonetics turbos. The T-56 Tremec and a Getrag rear with heavy duty axles come from a CTS-V. Custom body and flared fenders are all metal and covered in Sikkens Viscous Red special mix. Interior is distressed Italian leather. Build time was two months. Located in Performance Auto & Sound booth #25019 in Central Hall.

1966 Ford Fairlane owned by Doug Schulte had a build time of 4-1/2 years and features PPG Salsa Red and Titanium on done by Byers Custom & Restoration of Auburn, Washington. Interior was done by McFarland Custom Upholstery in Buckley. Engine is a 514 CI Ford crate motor with 635 HP mated to a Richmond 6-speed gearbox and Ford 9-inch rear. Wheels are Boyd Coddington  Hot Rod 18x7s (front) and 20x12s (rear). Located on the ramp leading from the North side of the Ford booth #22200 in Central Hall.

1964 Chevrolet Impala owned by Jose Rodriquez was built by Mexico Collision Center. Paint is House of Kolor with airbrushing by Alberto Herrera of Visalia, California. Interior was done by Sting Ray in suede leather. Convertible top is ostrich. Engine is a 350 Chevy with TPI Fuel Injection and mated to a Turbo 350 transmission and 9-inch rear and disc brakes on all four corners. Custom engraving took 1-1/2 months and an overall build time of 2 years. Located outside at the Shuttle Stop.

2008 Chevy BIGFOOT Silverado 2500HD 4x4 owned by Jim Cramer of St. Louis, Missouri. A DuraMax Diesel with Industrial Injection is mated to an Allison 6-speed automatic by NADP mated to a GM 5500 series transfer case and Dana Series 80 axles. Paint is DuPont Hot Hues Hot Poppy Matte Clear paint. The Big Foot rides on 30 inches of lift and 51 Firestone tires suspended by 4-link coil overs. Build time was 15 weeks. Located in South Hall Foyer, Lower Level.

1932 Ford Roadster owned by Rudy Necoechea and built by Scott s Hotrods n Customs. Powered by an LS-1 with Magnusson Blower, the 3-year build includes all hand-fabricated steel. Chrome work by Advanced Plating. Paint is water-based BASF by Palmer's Custom Paint and Body. Located in Central Hall, southwest ramp from Ford Booth #22200 in Central Hall.

1961 Ford Starliner owned by George Poteet and built by Alloway s Hot Rod Shop. The two-year build features a  65  Cammer SOHC 427 Ford mated to a TKO 5-Speed on an Art Morrison chassis. Interior is  64 Galaxie XL with a  63 Mercury Dash. Paint is DuPont basecoat with clear. Build time was 2 years. Located in the SEMA-HRIA/ARMO Councils booth #23287 in Central Hall.

2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG owned by Jon Rhee and built by Car Nutz Customz (CNC) of Bellevue, Washington. Build time of one year features Supersprint longtube headers, high-flow cats and exhaust, VRP internals and an intercooler kit push the AMG to 650 bhp and 715 lbs.-ft. of torque. Other features include sound by JLE and Sony, HRE Wheels, Brembo brakes, modified Airmatic suspension, vacuum-bagged carbon fiber roof, custom front grille, Brabus Rocket front bumper, Lorinser Evolution fenders and roof spoiler, and custom ridges on the hood. Paint is PPG Candy Apple Red Brilliance over Black with Pear Red Brilliance. Located in the front walkway.

1917 Golden Submarine Replica owned and created by Dan Webb of Webb Automotive Art. Built from a design interpretation by Thom Taylor of Larry Miller s legendary 1917 Golden Sub. Bare metal finish houses a Ford Racing Z-Tec ZX3-spec alcohol crate engine used in the Ford Focus Midget Car Series and generates 175 HP @ 7000 RPM. The In & Out Box transmission is machined from billet. Custom springs by Eaton Detroit, Coker Excelsior Racing Tires on cross-laced Dayton wire wheels. Located in the Ford Booth #22200 in Central Hall.

The 2007 Shine Award Winner, Dennis McClendon s 1962 Chevrolet Bubble Top Bel Air 409, named the  Show Low, was featured at the Mothers Polish SEMA Booth #22463 in Central Hall.

The Shine Award trophy, rendered by esteemed automotive artist Steve Posson, is a 20-pound bronze statuette of a detailer s towel shaped like a flame. The recipient of the Shine Award trophy is decided upon by a panel of judges comprised of well-respected members of the aftermarket automotive industry who intend to recognize the one standout vehicle of the more than 1,500 at the show based on overall appearance, level of attention to detail, integration of stock and custom elements, quality of paint and finish, and original vision and ultimate execution of the initial concept. All vehicles exhibited in booths at the annual SEMA Show were automatically considered; for vehicles displayed in open spaces, entry details were available at the Mothers® Big Rig in the outside displays area adjacent to Central and North halls, from Sunday morning through Tuesday morning of SEMA Show.

A full background on the Mothers® Shine Award is available online at http://shineaward.mothersarchive.com.