New York International Auto Show: history in pictures

North America’s first automotive exhibition

The New York International Auto Show is the oldest motor show in North America, with the first event taking place in 1900. Since then it has grown to become one of the most important automotive events in the world, breaking records and hosting its fair share of debuts. Here we look back at its highlights.

Show takes place at New York’s Javits Centre

From 1956, the show was held at the New York Coliseum, with it moving to the Javits Centre in 1987. Madison Square Garden and the Grand Central Palace have also hosted the event.

8,000 people visited the first New York Auto Show

The New York Auto Show (the International part of the name didn’t arrive until 1956) followed in the footsteps of the world’s first automotive exhibition – the 1898 Paris Motor Show. At the turn of the century there were fewer than 8,000 cars in the US and yet 10,000 spectators visited the first New York show. A nation’s love affair with the automobile was just beginning.

Evolved from bicycle shows

Auto shows evolved from bicycle shows, which were popular in the late 19th century. Indeed, the New York City cycle show of 1899 was the first in North America to use automobile in its title. It’s full name was the Fourth Annual Cycle and Automobile Exhibition. Development of the car was still in its infancy, as can be seen from this 1901 Renault.

On show at the first New York Auto Show, held at Madison Square Garden, were seven electric vehicles, two petrol-powered vehicles and a gasoline tricycle.

Curved Dash Oldsmobile

Making its debut at the 1901 New York Auto Show was the Curved Dash Oldsmobile, the first mass-produced car. Around 425 units were built during the first year, extending to 19,000 by the time it went out of production in 1907. It was the best-selling vehicle in America.

Toledo Model A

Another car to launch at the 1901 New York Auto Show was the Toledo Model A, which is widely considered to be one of the best American-built steam cars. The 6.5hp twin-cylinder vehicle could trace its roots back to a bicycle, but the writing was already on the wall for steam-powered cars. Petrol was taking over.

Cadillac Model A

In 1903, the New York Auto Show played host to the birth of one of America’s most famous automotive brands – Cadillac. The Model A was Cadillac’s first car and this image shows a car from 1904.

First Chevrolet to wear the ‘bowtie’

At the 1914 New York Auto Show, the world saw the famous Chevrolet ‘bowtie’ badge for the first time. It first appeared perched above the radiator grille on the Series H cars.

Toledo Model A

Another car to launch at the 1901 New York Auto Show was the Toledo Model A, which is widely considered to be one of the best American-built steam cars. The 6.5hp twin-cylinder vehicle could trace its roots back to a bicycle, but the writing was already on the wall for steam-powered cars. Petrol was taking over.

Cadillac Model A

In 1903, the New York Auto Show played host to the birth of one of America’s most famous automotive brands – Cadillac. The Model A was Cadillac’s first car and this image shows a car from 1904.

First Chevrolet to wear the ‘bowtie’

At the 1914 New York Auto Show, the world saw the famous Chevrolet ‘bowtie’ badge for the first time. It first appeared perched above the radiator grille on the Series H cars.

Chevrolet Series M Cooper-Cooled

Not all cars go on to be greats. The Chevrolet Series M Copper-Cooled car was unveiled at the 1923 New York Auto Show and featured a unique non-radiator grille. A lack of testing meant they were destined for disaster and all but two of the 759 air-cooled engines built were recalled and scrapped.

Chrysler born at the 1924 New York Auto Show

Another famous American brand to make its debut at the New York Auto Show was Chrysler. The year was 1924 and the car was the B-70, so-called because it could reach speeds of 70mph. It was the first Chrysler and would go on to be a huge success.

Duesenberg - back for the 1928 New York Auto Show

The Duesenberg name was revived for the 1928 New York Auto Show and the first car to be shown was the Model J. It was designed to go head-to-head with the most luxurious cars of the era, such as those made by Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz. Sadly, this was just before the Great Depression and the Model J sold nowhere near as many as had been forecast.

Cadillac V-16

The Cadillac V-16 – or Cadillac Sixteen – was one of the most luxurious cars in the firm’s history. It made its debut at the 1930 New York Auto Show and production would last right through the 1930s. Each one was custom-built to order.

Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow

By 1933, America was in the grip of the Great Depression and the luxury car brands were struggling for survival. Pierce-Arrow needed a showstopper for the 1933 New York Auto Show, so it turned to Phil Wright who created this masterpiece – the Silver Arrow. As the slogan said, “it gives you in 1933 the car of 1940.”

Chrysler Thunderbolt

The famous Chrysler Thunderbolt made its debut at the 1940 New York Auto Show. This was the era of flamboyant concept cars and the Art Deco-inspired Thunderbolt – with its retractable hardtop – was no different.

Jaguar XK120

Shortly after being unveiled at the 1948 London Motor Show, the Jaguar XK120 made its North American debut at the New York Auto Show. It overshadowed many of the exhibits on display and – much like it was in London – the XK120 was a sensation in New York.

Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe

It’s arguably one of the most beautiful cars ever to wear a Ferrari badge and it’s almost certainly one of the loveliest cars ever to appear at the New York Auto Show. This unique 1954 New York Auto Show Ferrari 250 Europa Coupe featured exclusive Michelotti-designed Vignale coachwork.

Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

In a break from tradition, Mercedes-Benz chose to launch its sublime 300SL Gullwing, not in Europe, but at the 1954 New York Auto Show. It was US distributor, Max Hoffman, who proposed an American unveiling. The rest, as they say, is history.

1956: a year of change

1956 saw a series of changes for the New York Auto Show. International was added to the name, reflecting the increasing popularity of European cars (photo shows the 1956 Geneva Motor Show). The New York show moved to the Coliseum.

Jaguar E-Type rocks the New York Auto Show

In 1961, the Jaguar E-Type made its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show. It attracted record-breaking crowds, with 47,000 people squeezing on to the Jaguar stand on day one alone. Like it did at the Geneva Motor Show, the E-Type – or XK-E, as it was known in the US – completely stole the show.

Gold-painted MGA

MG celebrated the 100,000th MGA by displayed a gold-painted version of an MGA 1600 MKII Roadster at the 1962 New York International Auto Show. It was transported to the show on the RMS Queen Mary.

Studebaker Avanti

The Studebaker Avanti was one of the most daring and radical cars ever to come out of America. Boasting cutting edge safety features, a supercharged V8 engine and a beautifully elegant body, it was the belle of the 1962 New York Auto Show. Ian Fleming, of James Bond fame, ordered a black Avanti and shipped it to countries he was visiting.

Goldfinger’s Aston Martin DB5

And speaking of James Bond, the famous Aston Martin DB5 that featured in Goldfinger was on display at the 1965 New York International Auto Show.

New York gives birth to the MPV

At the 1984 New York International Auto Show, Chrysler showcased its new range of minivans – marketed under the Dodge brand – thus giving birth to what we now refer to as the MPV.

700 cars at the 1984 show

In fact, 1984 was a bumper year for the New York International Auto Show, with no fewer than 700 cars on display. The likes of the Honda CRX, Nissan 300 ZX, Ford Mustang SVO and Pontiac Fiero all made their debut at the show.

The move to the Javits Center

In 1987, the New York International Auto Show moved to its current address at the Javits Center. Over the years, the New York show has had its fair share of world debuts, not least because it’s the final event of the show season and showcases cars that weren’t quite ready before.

Mercedes-Benz M-Class

Mercedes-Benz had one eye on the American market when it launched the ML – or M-Class – in 1997. One half of production was destined for the American market and by the time the last of the first generation cars was built in 2004, 650,000 units had rolled off the production line.

Disabilities and lifestyle products

The 1997 New York International Auto Show featured a display of disability vehicles for the first time, whilst in 1998 we witnessed the changing face of the automotive industry when Mercedes-Benz and BMW showcased lifestyle products for the first time.

1999 Car of the Century exhibition

in 1999, the New York International Auto Show said goodbye to the last millennium with a Car of the Century exhibition. The display featured 28 cars, ranging from an 1886 Three-Wheel Benz Replica through to a 1999 Volkswagen Beetle.

Scion launches in the U.S.

At the 2002 New York International Auto Show, Toyota launched its new Scion brand by unveiling two cars – the bbX and ccX. The aim was to appeal to a new group of motorists who weren’t interested in buying a Toyota.

Second generation Toyota Prius

The 2003 New York international Auto Show heralded the arrival of the “greenest production car on earth”, otherwise known as the second generation Toyota Prius. The green car sector has come a long way since then, but the Prius remains as relevant as ever.

Chrysler 300C Concept

Another car that’s still going strong today is the Chrysler 300C. Back in 2003, Chrysler launched the 300C concept in New York, a car inspired by the C-300 of 1955.

The most lacklustre year in recent memory

According to the New York Times, 2005 wasn’t a good year for the car industry. It called it “one of the most lacklustre years in recent memory”, but did admit the Shelby Cobra GT500 managed to brighten up an otherwise lukewarm New York show.

Terrafugia Transition: 2012

One of the more unusual cars to make its debut at the New York International Auto Show was the Terrafugia Transition – a street-legal airliner that converts between flying and driving models in under a minute. It’s scheduled to go on sale to the public this year.

Nissan NV200 Taxi: 2012

The 2012 show also saw the unveiling of the Nissan NV200 Taxi, resplendent in its NYC yellow paintwork. Heralded as “New York City’s Taxi of Tomorrow”, the NV200 was said to be designed using insight from NY cabbies.

Dodge SRT Viper: 2012

Billed as “America’s most important performance car of the decade”, the Dodge SRT Viper was unveiled at the 2012 New York International Auto Show, surrounded in a cloud of tyre smoke and the sound of an 8.4-litre V10 engine. The GTS (shown here) followed a year later.

Jaguar XJR and XKR-S GT: 2013

Many years had passed since Jaguar stole the show with the XK120 and E-Type. Times change, so Jaguar went down the POWER route at the 2013 show, showcasing the 550hp XJR and 550hp XKR-S GT.

Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept: 2014

Also unveiled at the 2014 show was the Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept, a car that previewed the all-new Land Rover Discovery Sport.

McLaren 570S: 2015

A still-young McLaren Automotive revealed the 570S at New York in 2015. Powered by a mid-mounted 3.8-litre V8, this critically acclaimed ‘junior’ supercar went on to spawn the track-focused 600LT and 620R.

Dodge Challenger SRT Demon: 2017

Perhaps the most extreme road-legal muscle car of them all, the Dodge Demon wowed showgoers in 2017. With a supercharged 852hp V8 under its long hood, it remains the only production car capable of pulling a wheelie – hence this creative ‘drag strip’ display on the New York show stand.

Volkswagen ID. Buggy Concept: 2019

The ID Buggy Concept revealed Volkswagen’s new direction, combining retro styling with electric tech. Inspired by Beetle-based beach buggies from the 1960s, it uses a 201hp electric motor driving the rear axle. We’re yet to see a showroom version, sadly.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz: 2022

However, after the NYIAS took two years off due to Covid, Volkswagen did reveal the production ID. Buzz in 2022. It’s the classic T2 Microbus for a new era. We’re looking forward to the seven-seat version – due later this year.