DEARBORN, MI- Ford Motor Co. was full of surprises during the first day of the 2013 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show.

As if showcasing nearly 60 custom vehicles at the Las Vegas custom and aftermarket show this week wasn't enough, the Dearborn-born automaker sped through news and unveilings during a press conference Tuesday.

The surprises included custom car unveilings, a Ford Racing announcement and a new boating partnership.

Ford coming aboard

Ford is getting back into the boating industry after a more than 20-year hiatus.

The automaker’s wholly owned subsidiary Ford Component Sales has partnered with Indmar Marine Engines to offer high-performance boaters a boating version of its 6.2-liter V8 engine, which powers Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks.

Indmar will offer three models of varying horsepower and torque. The company, officials said, is the largest privately held manufacturer of gasoline powered inboard marine engines with multiple advanced manufacturing facilities in the United States and distribution centers in Tennessee and California.

Custom 1956 Ford F-100, aptly named Snakebit, features styling cues that pay homage to classic Shelby Mustangs; power is supplied by FordÃ¢ÂÂs supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine. (Courtesy image)

$1 million for 1956 Ford F-100?

KISS frontman Gene Simmons and his wife, actress Shannon Tweed, helped Ford unveil a custom 1956 Ford F-100.

The Shelby Mustang-inspired pickup truck -- named “Snakebit” – features 20-inch rear wheels, a Ford Racing supercharged 5.4-liter V8 estimated at 550 horsepower and custom wheelbase, headlights and sequential taillights.

Snakebite will be auctioned next year by Barrett-Jackson, with proceeds going to help fund a children's hospital in Tweed's hometown in Canada.

Simmons said he wants the vehicle to auction for at least $1 million. The legendary bassist even joked that he’d do everything for the winning bidder --from cooking dinner to signing the vehicle and spitting blood in the backseat.

“I’ll do anything you want,” Simmons said. “I want a million bucks for that.”

Racing boost for EcoBoost

Telca/TELMEX Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, winner of seven of the last 10 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype Championships, will switch to the new Ford EcoBoost sports car engine package starting next year.

The 2014 Telca/TELMEX Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) Ford/Riley Daytona Prototype powered by Fordâs 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost featured at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

GGRFS will utilize Ford's 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost racing engine for the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship (USCC), with Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas returning to pilot the team's Riley Daytona Prototype starting with the Rolex 24 At Daytona race in January.

Ford recently announced a strategy to introduce the 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost racing engine into the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship series.

'Vandemonium' goes Hot Wheels

Ford showcased nine of its 10 Transit Connect van and wagon models for the '13 SEMA Show "Vandemonium" before it started, leaving some curious to what the final vehicle would entail.

So what was it? A Hot Wheels concept of the Transit Connect cargo van featuring an entirely custom, euro-look wide body kit, Rotiform ROC wheels, sleeping quarters and tool storage.

Michigan-based custom builder Ice 9 Group worked with designers from Ford and Hot Wheels, taking a Transit Connect down to its basic elements and rebuilding it from the ground up, according to officials.

The Hot Wheels Transit Connect is powered by a 2.5-liter Ti-VCT four-cylinder engine, has been widened 4 inches in front and 6 inches at the rear.

Click through the embedded slideshow for photos and details on the Ford vehicles at the 2013 SEMA Show.