The coolest custom cars to see in New York this weekend

Best in Show at NYIAS 2025

The 2025 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) has plenty of brand new cars and SUVs on display. However, there is also a huge area dedicated to modified machines.

The R2XPO display celebrates the custom vehicle culture of New York City and beyond, bringing together diverse and wild tuning creations under one roof.

You still have time to check out the R2XPO event before the NYIAS ends on Sunday 27 April – and you can even vote for your favorite.

BMW E30 325iC

The 2025 R2XPO features a number of modified classic BMWs, with the iconic E30-generation of the 1980s heavily represented.

Nazih Nassar chose the convertible version of the E30 3 Series as the base for his build, with a host of subtle design modifications included. A bespoke interior and a hardtop roof are just some of the highlights.

BMW E30 325iS

Garrett Fruchtman is an attorney for New York and New Jersey by day, and a fan of modified cars by night.

His collection of classic BMWs includes this E30-generation 325iS, which boasts period-correct BBS alloy wheels and an amazing plaid interior.

BMW E30 325es

Plaid interiors, with a matching wash bag on the dashboard, are clearly the must-have trend in the BMW E30 tuning community.

Michael Stiglitz’s 325es two-door has been painstakingly restored, with the distinctive Bronzit exterior color helping it to stand out.

1973 BMW E9 3.0 CSL

Willy Izaguirre’s tribute to the legendary BMW 3.0 CSL race cars is one of the most dramatic vehicles on display in the R2XPO arena.

No stranger to the limelight, the modified BMW E9 won Willy the “Best Euro Car” award at the 2017 SEMA Show.

1973 BMW E9 3.0 CSL

The details of the build are virtually endless, but the key points include the addition of a turbocharged 3.2-liter straight-six engine, which is connected to a five-speed manual transmission.

A custom widebody kit has been added, mimicking the Group 4 racing BMW 3.0 CSL, with carbon fiber used for the rear spoiler, headlight covers, and arch vents.

BBS magnesium center-lock wheels, single-piece bucket seats, and a vintage Nardi wooden steering wheel are just some of the other additions.

1985 BMW 635CSi

In comparison to the previous BMW, Kendall King’s 635CSi is a lesson in subtlety.

The straight-six powered 635CSi was one of the most luxurious sports coupes when launched in the 1980s. A simple set of alloy wheels is the most obvious addition to this elegant grand tourer.

BMW E46 M3

We can hardly believe it ourselves, but the E46-generation BMW M3 turns 25 this year. Perhaps the peak of modern-classic M3 performance, the E46 matched a 333 horsepower 3.2-liter straight-six engine with rear-wheel drive.

James Pichardo’s E46 M3 has received some special exterior enhancements, such as the jutting front splitter, black front grille surrounds, and the BBS multi-spoke alloy wheels.

Mercedes-Benz 300TE

Proving there is more to the R2XPO than modified BMWs, Cody Morse has his lowered W124 Mercedes-Benz wagon on show in New York.

Who said that station wagons don’t belong at auto shows? Especially ones that have been restored, and positioned perfectly on super-wide monoblock alloy wheels.

1995 Ford Escort RS Cosworth

The Escort RS Cosworth is no stranger to fast Ford fans on the other side of the Atlantic, but it’s certainly a rarity in New York City.

James O’Brien’s RS Cosworth has undergone subtle enhancements on the outside, such as the period-correct Morette twin headlight conversion. Under the hood, though, the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine has been upgraded to deliver 400 horsepower.

2019 Subaru WRX Limited

James Rasmussen has gone all-in on modifying his Subaru WRX. Indeed, he started tuning the four-door sedan when it had just 60 miles on the odometer.

Almost every aspect of the WRX has been customized, from the Cobb cold air intake through to the Tomei cat-back exhaust. Rays 57CR alloy wheels, and the trunk from a WRX STI, are just some of the other modifications added.

Subaru WRX

This is not a wrap, but a full custom paint job covering the haunches of this second-generation Impreza WRX wagon.

Although not known for being one of Subaru’s most attractive styling efforts, the addition of a military-inspired exterior has transformed Steve Prendergast’s WRX into a rolling work of art.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII

No auto show could feature Subarus without also having examples of its long-standing rival on display.

Unveiled during the R2XPO show itself, Jason Castro’s Mitsubishi Lancer Evo is fresh from a full engine rebuild. It features an updated engine bay, plus a set of refinished alloy wheels.

1991 Honda CR-X SiR

Compared to some of the cars on show at the R2XPO, Kenneth Chin’s 1991 Honda CR-X demonstrates plenty of restraint.

Look more closely, however, and you will notice that the steering wheel is on the right-hand side of the interior. Yes, this a genuine JDM-import version of the CR-X SiR, with the famed high-revving 1.6-liter DOHC VTEC engine.

Honda Civic

More Honda action in the R2XPO hall includes Joey Lardieri’s modified fifth-generation Civic hatchback.

The New Jersey resident has spent the best part of a decade enhancing his compact Civic, which is frequently spotted cruising without a hood.

2009 Honda Civic Si

Adarsh Balasubramanian’s Honda Civic started life as a humble US-market Si model, but has undergone a dramatic transformation to become a replica of the third-generation Civic Type R.

The conversion has, almost, helped fulfil Adarsh’s childhood dream of owning a FD2-generation Type R. Until he can import the real thing to the United States, at least.

Honda Civic Type R

The FK8-generation Honda Civic marked the first time a Type R model had been sold in the United States and Canada, finally bringing the compact hero to North America in 2017.

Lisandro Sanchez has opted to give this Type R an even more aggressive stance, slamming it to the ground and fitting a carbon aero kit, along with a set of custom wheels.

2005 Acura NSX

The R2XPO hall includes true Honda performance royalty, with Moe Khan’s 2005 Acura NSX on display.

With the classic mid-engined sports car already close to perfection in the eyes of many, the modifications here are suitably minimal. An exterior wrap in 3M Satin White Aluminum was said to be inspired by BMW’s “Frozen” color options.

1983 Toyota Corolla

The Team Toyminator club, based in New Jersey, is dedicated to preserving classic Toyota models, like this 1983 Corolla.

Owned by Raymond Diaz, the two-door sedan looks like it could have just rolled off the production line in the 1980s. Being so well preserved, the Corolla was made one of the “featured rides” ahead of the NYIAS event.

Toyota GR86

There is no shortage of modern Toyota metal on display as well, including this eye-searing green GR86 coupe.

Owned by Matthew Kwok, Toyota’s latest compact sports car has received some carbon fiber exterior additions and a set of Volk Racing TE37 wheels. Not forgetting that incredible exterior color.

Toyota GR Supra

Alik Kasumov’s Toyota GR Supra is one of the wildest cars on show in the R2XPO hall, thanks to its dramatic Robot Craftsman Hyperion widebody aero kit.

Almost every part of the GR Supra’s exterior has been enhanced, creating this truly extreme custom machine.

Toyota GR Supra

Production of the Toyota GR Supra may be coming to an end next year, but the fifth-generation sports car has clearly embedded itself in tuning culture, given the number of examples on show at the NYIAS.

Crown SpeedLab has helped with the build of this particular Supra, which features Volk Racing TE37 Saga S-Plus wheels, and a huge APR Performance rear wing.

Lexus IS500

To finish, how about a Lexus IS500 with an impossibly ridiculous stance? Jovani Zuniga has taken this luxury sedan to the absolute limit, thanks to its air suspension and heavily cambered wheel fitment.

It all proves that, despite all the brand new cars on display in the main show area, looking around the other halls at the NYIAS can reveal plenty of surprises.