With the exception of the Ford Mustang->ke428 and the Chevrolet Camaro->ke248, sports cars - modified ones, at that - are considered the life blood of the SEMA Auto Show.->ke216

Pick-ups and SUVs are slowly gaining ground, but when it comes to sheer level of interest, sports cars are right up there with the two American muscle cars. This year, the SEMA Auto Show will be presenting plenty of mouth-watering examples of how sports coupes can be modded into pieces of automotive heaven.

In this list, you'll find a lot of variety. American sports cars. Japanese sports cars. Korean sports cars. And there's even one from the Philippines, believe it or not.

So when you head past the jump to read our SEMA preview for the sports cars, be sure to have a napkin or hanky in your hand because there's going to a lot of drooling.

Find out more about the 2011 SEMA Auto Show: Sports Cars after the jump.

Mazda MX-5 Spyder

Anytime a Mazda MX-5 hits the auto show scene, be prepared to fall in line just to catch a glimpse of it. As one of the most popular models in history, the MX-5 is auto royalty. So with Mazda bringing an MX-5 Spyder model to SEMA, well, let's say that you're going to be rubbing elbows - and throwing them, too - just to get a good look at the car. Details behind the MX-5 Spyder are still being kept under wraps, so be sure to keep an eye out for this car. Chances are, it won't be hard to find. Just follow where there's a mass gathering and you're going to find it.

Scion tC Gruppe S by Dynamic

Scion->ke79's fleet of pimped up rides have had the auto industry in discussion lately. One of their products - the tC Gruppe S by Dynamic - is arguably the most discussed of the bunch. Customized to become a full-on race car, the tc Gruppe S carries a new carbon hood and carbon trunk from Seibon, a front carbon splitter and GT wing from APR, a 5-axis lip spoiler, a one-piece roof from Papadakis Racing, and a set of 18" Hankook wheels with a TRD Big Brake Kit, to name just a few of the aftermarket set-ups done on it.

Chevrolet Corvette Carlisle Blue Grand Sport Concept

As one of two specially modified Chevrolet Corvettes->ke1280 to attend SEMA, the Carlisle Blue Grand Sport Concept is sure to catch its share of attention. The paint alone - a Carlisle Blue exterior with exquisite Pearl White full-length racing stripes - already draws plenty of conversations. Add that with a new carbon fiber front splitter and rockers, a full-width rear spoiler, a Grand Sport style hood blanket an Ebony/Titanium leather with blue stitching interior, a new Bose Premium Audio with nine speakers, and iPod integration, and you have a sports car that will seriously turn some heads - for all the right reasons.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Ron Fellows SEMA/Spring Mountain Special Edition

We already talked about this particular Corvette a month ago. We know that it was built to celebrate the induction of Corvette Racing Driver Ron Fellows into the Corvette Hall of Fame. We also know that this car comes loaded with modifications, including the Centennial Edition’s black wheels with the red stripe and seats with the special “100 Years” embroidery; and the custom Grand Sport hash marks reminiscent of the 2007 Ron Fellows Z06 which also had the Canadian Maple Leaf seen on this model.The car also features a reworked carbon graphic displaying Ron’s Corvette Racing Number 3 and the words "Hall of Fame," as well as graphics from Mosport Raceway - a Canadian Track that Fellows co-owns - and the Ron Fellows Performance driving school.

Michel Gitano

Proudly made in the Philippines, the Michel Gitano is a mysterious electric sports car that's set to make its auto show debut at SEMA. We know very little about this car apart from word that it's carrying a hybrid powertrain that produces somewhere around 250 horsepower. These kids are new to the block so we'll be sure to treat them nicely.

Cadillac CTS-V 'Le Monstre' by D3 Racing

The name of this customized Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is "Le Monstre". It carries that billing because it has been fitted by D3 Racing with a 7.0-liter engine that produces 1,001 horsepower and 1,000 lb/ft of torque. Really, that's all you need to know until the at is revealed at SEMA.

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe "Martin V1000" by Martin Technologies

The second 1,000 horsepower CTS-V Coupe that's coming to SEMA is all sorts of wicked. Built by Martin Technologies, this particular CTS-V is powered by a 7.0-liter supercharged V8 engine that produces a mind-blowing 1,000 horsepower at 7,100 rpm and 900 lb/ft torque at 5,500 rpm, good enough figures to post a 0-60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds with a top speed that goes well north of 200 mph. What do you say we take these two 1,000-horsepower Caddys out on a drag race? Interested? Yeah, so are we.

Lexus GS F Sport by Five Axis

Five Axis has been a SEMA staple over the past couple of years and this year's no different. The aftermarket company is prepared to roll out a number of modded vehicles, including one for the Lexus GS350 F-Sport.

The Project GS F-Sport is decked in a sexy Glacier White exterior paint with custom Slate Gray accents to offset the unique Silver textured accents for the interior. There's also new set of wheels - size 20x9.5" at front and 20x10.5" at rear - wrapped in Yokohama Advan Sport tires for the car, among all the other modifications done on it.

BMW 1-Series M Coupe ’Black Knight’ by RevoZport

Still a mystery car, the BMW 1-Series M Coupe 'Black Knight' by RevoZport is piquing our curiosities for a number of reasons. After all, if you're a 1-Series M Coupe that comes with these modifications - plenty of carbon fiber components on the exterior and interior; Helix Films satin wrap and logos by SkinzWraps; a welded-in Piper Motorsport cage; Sparco Pro2000 seats with 6-point harnesses; a Performance Friction Z-Rated big brake kit; and a set of 18" Forgeline GA3R wheels - then you're going to want to see the car as soon as possible.

Lexus GS 350 F-Sport

One of the few cars being shown on SEMA that isn't customized is the Lexus GS350 F-Sport. Seems like an odd place for an auto debut, but the car certainly won't feel out of place. For the new model, the GS 350 F-Sport will carry the same 306 HP 3.5-liter V6 engine from the standard model. It also comes with the F-Sport package adds a unique exterior and interior design treatments, as well as an F-Sport-tuned Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), thicker anti-roll bars, bushing changes, and new larger front brakes with high friction pads.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe by Enjuku Racing

Enjuku Racing plies its craft in the world of drifting and they've taken that approach in building a custom Hyundai Genesis Coupe and turning it into a piece of racing menace. Among the improvements done include a modified chassis, BC Racing BR-Type coilovers, custom headers, a new exhaust system, and a set of 19" BC Racing TA02 wheels. Most importantly, Enjuku Racing transplanted a supercharged LS1 powertrain under the Genesis' hood. How much is on tap is still a mystery, but we do know that it's much more than what a stock Genesis is capable.

Hyundai Genesis Hurricane SC

Just like the Genesis Coupe by Enjuku Racing, the Genesis Hurricane SC is what proof that good things happen when the right people are tasked to do a job that they have an expertise on. The work done on this bad boy speaks for itself, including an exterior that was modified by Rhys Millen Racing and an engine upgrade that comes courtesy of Torvec Inc. They even got the name right, too. Hurricane. Speaks the truth, doesn't it?

Hyundai Veloster by ARK Performance

Who said the Hyundai Veloster->ke2534 couldn't be turned into a drop-dead gorgeous sports car? Don't tell that to ARK Performance. The aftermarket company went all-out in giving the Veloster a comprehensive exterior and interior modification, as well as a plethora of engine upgrades that will do nothing but boost the car's performance.