A Look Back At The 2016 SEMA Cares Jeep Wrangler Build

There's no doubt that SEMA is passionate about cars, but the organization also gives back each year through its SEMA Cares charity. One way that SEMA Cares raises money is by auctioning off custom vehicles that have been donated. In 2016, Petty's Garage and aftermarket Jeep parts supplier Omix-ADA teamed up to create this one of a kind Jeep Wrangler.

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The build started with a 2016 Jeep Wrangler, and then received custom Hydro Blue paint job with color-matched accents on the interior. The paint job and stripes is somewhat reminiscent of the CJ-5 Super Jeep. Rugged Ridge, which is owned by Omix-ADA, supplied all the components to spice up the Jeep's body including the Exo-Top roof rack, bumpers, fenders, lights, tube doors and the angry-looking Spartan grille.

Then the Jeep was lifted four inches and fitted with 20-inch wheels wrapped in General Grabber tires, and additional skid plates were added for more protection. To ensure that this custom Jeep was the "ultimate off-road masterpiece," the build was finished off with a Magnaflow exhaust and Magunson supercharger helping boost the Jeep's 3.6-liter V-6 output up to 425 horsepower.

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After its unveiling at the 2016 SEMA Show, this Jeep headed to the 2017 Mecum Houston auction where it raised $82,500 for Victory Junction children's camp. Victory Junction was founded in 2004 by Richard Petty in memory of his grandson Adam, who died on May 12, 2000 in a NASCAR race at the age of 19.

The charity "enriches the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life-changing camp experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering; all in a medically safe environment at no cost to the camper or their family"