Big wheels, little wheels, lairy paintjobs and big bodykits. Every year the modifying scene turns to LA for the world’s best tuner car show. Stuart Milne and May Starey lift the lid on SEMA 2009.

Each year, a not-so-little exhibition centre in the heart of Los Angeles opens its doors to a trade show – and we’re not talking about the sort that a bloke in a tie will try and flog you a database system.

No; forget the free pens and business cards – this is SEMA, the place to see what the world’s best dressed modified cars will be wearing next year.

And from what we’ve seen, the must-have accessory of 2010 is bright paint – the kind that’ll scorch your eyeballs at 500 paces. And if it’s accompanied by a twinkling set of oversized chrome rims, then so much the better.

The cars of choice – at least as far as the American scene goes – are Mustangs, Camaros and Challengers. New and old, the modifiers don’t care; they’ll mod anything.

But don’t worry if you’ve not heard of SEMA. Unless you work in the industry, you can’t come in – so we’ve brought you the sexiest and most outrageous cars from the show.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the coolest retro cars.