Monte Mino SS: The Wild Mashup That Stole the Show at SEMA
The annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas spans the entirety of the Las Vegas convention center, and not one square inch isn’t covered in something from the automotive aftermarket. Even the massive parking lot outside is reserved for exhibitors and builders to show off, not attendee parking. It’s only natural for the cars and trucks inside to get more attention than the ones outside, but this Monte Mino SS was different. This creation drew in so much attention that it was difficult to get near it, and pics had to be taken in the early hours of the morning before spectators arrived.
Not Just A Chop-Job
The uniquely named Monte Mino SS is exactly what it sounds like, a blend of a Monte Carlo SS and an El Camino. At first glance, it pairs the coupe’s unmistakable front end with the truck’s open cargo bed, a mashup unusual enough on its own. But that’s only the beginning. Underneath that long hood and that widened sheetmetal sits a fully modern C6 Corvette chassis, giving this franken-Chevy vintage character with legit sports-car performance.
Striking Style
The stance alone tells you this build means business. The Monte Mino SS sits slammed to the pavement thanks to an air-suspension setup, allowing the builder to dramatically drop or raise the ride height. The body has been aggressively widened to clear a massive set of deep-dish wheels finished in a striking mix of chrome and gold. A huge front chin spoiler sticks out far enough to make anyone walking by nervous, and the paint is a deep, metallic cherry red that glows even in our grainy social-media clips.
Corvette-Based Power
Performance isn’t just implied; it’s showcased. Eight individual intake stacks punch through the sculpted hood, proudly announcing the Corvette-based LS powerplant beneath it. Inside, the same bold design continues with red accents and plaid-trimmed seating, giving the cabin a custom, retro-meets-modern flair.
In The Nick Of Time!
Like most SEMA builds, this one pushed its creator right up against the deadline. Crafted by builder Matthew McEntegart, the Monte Mino SS was reportedly finished just in time to make the trip to Vegas. The enormous wheels didn’t even arrive until three days before transport, and Mcentegart ended up flying in with a few last-minute parts, including the steering wheel, in his carry-on. What a legend!
But despite the crunch, the Monte Mino SS rolled into the SEMA Show looking like one of the boldest, most original customs of the year. It’s a wild mashup, a performance sleeper, and a true example of what happens when creativity meets determination, all wrapped in deep-red metallic paint and Corvette firepower.
