Extang's patriotic pickup bed tonneau is made of vinyl and uses vinyl ink in the silk screening process.
But America's automotive aftermarket companies have more imaginative—and in some cases, practical—ways for owners to convey their star-spangled feelings.
How about a stars-and-stripes shield? Or a red, white and blue rear wing for your car? Pickup truck owners might fancy a new tonneau cover with patriotic colors.
These were some of the newest, red, white and blue automotive products that were on display at the 2001 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) show.
Patriotic Bed Cover
Harold Armstrong of Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Extang said the company's flag tonneau is new.
Available for just about any truck bed, this vinyl cover isn't just eye-catching. It helps keep pickup truck beds clean and dry and items inside hidden.
"Our response was fantastic," Armstrong said of the new tonneau after just one day at the SEMA show.
He added that the cover can help improve fuel economy since it prevents air from buffeting inside the bed during driving, thereby reducing drag.
Many of the company's tonneaus are priced around $245 retail, and Extang officials said the new tonneau is likely to be in that range. It's being sold to distributors who provide it to accessory shops.
For more information, visit the Extang Web site.
Steering Toward Patriotism
Genuine leather never looked so patriotic. Wheelskins of Berkeley, Calif., a manufacturer of leather accessories for autos, now has a red, white and blue genuine leather steering wheel cover.
Available to fit any vehicle, the Ameritone limited edition wheel cover retails for $44.95, according to Carol Torrez, general manager.
Wheelskins said it will donate ten percent of the total gross proceeds from the sale of the wheel to the American Red Cross.
For more information, visit the Wheelskins Web site.
All-American Spoilers
California Dream Inc. of Hartland, Wis., had "so many" requests for patriotic graphics for car wings that it now has more than one design.
Sales rep Mary Jane Sanchez said the background color for the wing typically is white, silver, blue or red. The patriotic graphics can be applied to any of the company's wings, which fit all sorts of cars.
The wings retail for $299, and the graphics add another $150 to $200, she said.
For more information, visit the California Dream Inc. Web site.
A More Subtle Look
Vancouver, Wash.-based Carr Pattern Co. Inc. has two hitch step-up products with patriotic graphics.
"They've been selling like crazy," said Jeff Neubauer, Carr's national sales manager.
Made of cast aluminum, they attach easily in any 2-inch-square hitch receiver at the back of a vehicle. When in the "up" position, they "make a personal statement," according to Carr. When pulled down, they provide a handy step for anyone needing to climb up and into a pickup bed.
Retail price is $33, Neubauer said.
For more information, visit Carr's Web site.
Patriot Shield
Patriotism goes front and center with EGR Inc.'s new Patriot Shield. The modified acrylic shield fits above the grille, at the forefront of the hood, on many Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge full-size pickups.
Not only does it help protect the hood and windshield from road debris, it sports the stars and stripes.
Bryan Speer, EGR's eastern regional sales manager, said the company plans to donate part of the money from this shield to the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Fund.
Retail price is about $100, according to Theresa Beasley, customer liaison manager.
For more information, visit EGR Inc.'s Web site.
