Accessories to Set Your Vehicle Apart
Published November 2, 2005
LAS VEGAS -- Want your vehicle to stand out in the
crowd?
The annual Specialty Equipment Market Association
show here is the place where parts and accessories makers from around the
world gather to display their wares that let motoring consumers do their
own things.
There are, of course, the decorative wheels as well
as portable navigation and DVD entertainment systems for the car, truck,
sport-utility or mini-van. And then there are the rather novel items.
Consider:
Cook's BBQ Kitchen. Billed as the "ultimate
accessory" for tailgate parties, the kitchen is a large metal box that
slips in any pickup bed. When you get to the game, slide the box out,
unfold it and you have a fridge to store your food, a grill and microwave
to cook it and a sink to wash up before heading home.
Power SideKick. If a Weedeater can whack weeds, why
can't it wash your car? Sidekick, a plastic tool that resembles a
Weedeater, does just that. Slip one head at the end of the long handle and
the device vacuums your car; another head washes your car and another
waxes it. Plug in the electrical cord or use the rechargeable battery
pack.
Wheel Neat. Why fuss with a bumper sticker when you
can put the logo of your company or favorite sports team on this plastic
cover that fits over and bolts to any 13- to 19-inch wheels.
Brass Knuckle Door Handles. If you want your vehicle
to make a statement, these chrome-plated brass knuckles replace the door
handles on full-size Chevrolet trucks or SUVs.
Stainless Steel Bulldog Head. If you want the
trailer hitch on your vehicle to make a statement, how about a stainless
steel bulldog head about the size of a 16-inch softball. Just hook your
boat trailer hitch to the hole in the bulldog's tongue. Not pretty, but
certainly an attention-getter.
Hitch Critters. Remember the singing rubber bass
wall plaque that decorated many a garage a few years ago? Now you can put
a rubber bass or deer over your trailer hitch. The bass flops and the deer
dances while you motor along and lights up red whenever you apply the
brakes.
Reel Expressions. How about a radio antenna in the
shape of a fishing rod, complete with reel, for the fisherman/motorist in
your life?
ShurTrax. Soon some people will toss sand in their
trunk or truck bed for added weight to get traction on snowy or icy
surfaces. With ShurTrax, fill the rubber bladders in what looks like a
giant duffel bag with water and let it freeze for ample weight without the
mess of sand.
Haul & Stow. This takes the load off when lugging
that 20-pound bag of dog food on vacation or 20-pound bag of charcoal to
the family picnic. Slip either bag in Haul & Stow and carry it to and from
the car in this backpack.
Bushranger X-Jack. For sun worshippers who have a
flat tire at the beach, this item will stabilize the car in the sand. Slip
the rubberized ball under the car, then attach one end of the accompanying
hose to the ball, the other to your tailpipe. When you run the car, the
exhaust inflates the "jack" so you can change the tire.
Izon Car Massager. After a tough day at work, simply
remove the headrest and insert this device. Plug the cord into a power
outlet for a neck massage to reduce all that stress before you arrive
home.
Turtle Wax Ice. A synthetic liquid car wax that you
not only can apply in the sun, but also can use on metal, plastic, rubber
or chrome parts. A companion Ice "detail spray" can remove water or swirl
marks.
There also were wheels in which you can imbed
miniature U.S. $100 bills, euros, yen or even dinars for those who have
any idea what country that currency is from; camouflage floor mats and
truck bed liners for hunters; and a Hemi air filter clock to hang next to
the bass plaque.
No prices because the items aren't all available in
stores yet, but for details, visit www.sema.org.
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Read Jim Mateja Sunday in Transportation and
Wednesday and Friday in Business. Hear him on WBBM-AM 780 at 6:22 p.m.
Wednesdays and 11:22 a.m. Sundays.
