SEMA offers 5 student-customized Jeeps at auction

Five Jeep Wranglers customized by high school students through a SEMA program will be offered up for sale through a special online auction July 15-19.

The SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program launched during the 2017-18 school year with a student-customized Jeep Wrangler bringing $56,000 at auction.

“We didn’t know what to expect during our first year,” SEMA’s senior director of educational programs, was quoted in the news release. “But we’re encouraged and excited that we were able to expand the 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.”

Proceeds from that inaugural program made it possible to expand the effort to five schools during the 2018-19 school year. The vehicles were prepared by high school students working with automotive aftermarket 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,” SEMA said.

Each of the five vehicles heading to auction will be available for bidding for one day. They are:

•  July 15, a 2005 Jeep Wrangler (above) customized by the Santa Fe Early College Opportunities program in Santa Fe, New Mexico, features a vented hood, trail doors, a 3/5-inch suspension kit with a 5-inch stretch from Rock Kralwer Suspension and full body repaint.

•  July 16, a 2004 Jeep Wrangler (top photo) customized by the Comstock High School auto shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is the only Jeep in the program with a hard top, and also includes a roof rack from Just Jeep ‘N Stuff, LED headlamps, full carpet replacement, bumpers, tire carrier and rock sliders from JcrOffroad, 4-inch Skyjacker suspension kit and a coat of paint.

•  July 17, a 2002 Jeep Wrangler (above) customized by C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, with 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 Rancho Suspension 3.5-inch short arm suspension kit.

•  July 18, a 1997 Jeep Wrangler (above) customized by Santa Ynez Valley Union High School in Santa Ynez, California, with 37-inch Atturo off-road tires with Black Rock wheels, Rugged Ridge products, T-REX grille, Superlift Suspension 4-inch lift kit and LLumar window tint.

•  July 189, a 2004 Jeep Wrangler (above) customized by R.L. Turner High School in Carrollton, Texas, with winch and front bumper donated by Collins Bro’s Jeep, custom seat belts from Seatbelt Planet, wheels from Rolling Big Power, and a trail rocker from Painless Performance.

For additional information, visit the SEMA student builds website. To bid, beginning July 15, visit the auction website.