2012 SEMA Show

A man looks inside the 1940 “Catch Me If You Can!” Ford coupe. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Oct. 30, 2012 4:03 PM PT

If it has anything to do with a car, it can be found at the Specialty Equipment Market Assn., better known as SEMA, trade show. With more than 2,250 exhibitors in attendance this year, it is the largest show in SEMA’s history. The show, which opened Tuesday and ends Friday, isn’t open to the public. But it’s no small affair. The event takes up 2.5 million square feet of space at the Las Vegas Convention Center -- and even spills out into the parking lot.

A man looks inside the 1940 “Catch Me If You Can!” Ford coupe at the Las Vegas Convention Center. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

The 1940 “Catch Me If You Can!” Ford coupe draws attention at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A front grille detail on the 1940 “Catch Me If You Can!” Ford coupe. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Walter Joaquin checks out the headlight well on an unfinished 1940 “Catch Me If You Can!” Ford coupe car pack during the SEMA show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)