New York Auto Show 2025 Celebrates 125 Years of Automotive History and Innovation

Source: New York International Automobile Show

Reported By: Matthew Kennedy

 April 15, 2025 - This April, the New York International Auto Show commemorates a defining moment in automotive history: its 125th anniversary. As the first auto show in North America, the event returns to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan from April 18–27, marking a historic milestone with a sweeping tribute to the machines—and moments—that shaped how the world moves.

This year’s show isn’t just about what’s next—it’s also about looking back. A specially curated exhibition invites attendees to trace the evolution of mobility through iconic cars spanning more than a century, offering a rare, in-depth view into the vehicles that revolutionized everything from mass transportation to motorsport.

The original Automobile Show, held in 1900 at Madison Square Garden, featured a crowd of nearly 50,000 and more than 160 vehicles—steam-powered wagons, early electrics, and gasoline newcomers all vying for dominance. What began as a futuristic experiment quickly became a cultural institution. This year, the Auto Show reflects on that origin story through a collection of historically significant models, each capturing the spirit of its decade.

1900s

• 1909 Cadillac Model 30 Demi Tonneau — Pioneered interchangeable parts, a breakthrough that transformed manufacturing.

1910s

• 1910 Ford Model T — The car that democratized mobility and made the assembly line a global standard.

1920s

• 1927 Dodge Brothers Standard Six — Reliable, refined, and ahead of its time with hydraulic brakes and six-cylinder performance.

1930s

• 1933 Pierce-Arrow Model 1247 — A V12-powered icon of Depression-era luxury, complete with Art Deco styling and celebrity cachet.

1940s

• 1947 Mercury Eight Convertible — Signaled post-war optimism with smooth V8 power and open-air appeal.

1950s

• 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing — A technological marvel with gullwing doors, racing heritage, and the first fuel-injected production engine.

1960s

• 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window — A single-year design that’s become one of the most coveted American classics ever produced.

1970s

• 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am — With cinematic flair and muscle car attitude, it defined the decade's rebellious spirit.

1980s

• 1986 DeLorean DMC-12 — Stainless steel gullwings and pop culture fame made this one of the era’s most iconic shapes.

1990s

• 1999 Acura NSX — Ayrton Senna’s influence helped perfect this mid-engine masterpiece, revered for balance and drivability.

2000s

• 2006 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 — The first production car to break 1,000 horsepower, redefining the hypercar category.

2010s

• 2011 Chevrolet Volt — A milestone for hybrid technology, bridging electric power with everyday practicality.

2020s

• 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS — A street-legal track weapon pushing performance boundaries in the modern era.

While these vehicles represent different eras and technologies, they share one thing in common: they were all, at one point, ahead of their time. The 1900 show featured steam wagons and electrant charging stations promising 25 miles of range for a quarter. Today, the Auto Show continues to showcase the most forward-thinking designs and powertrains—from EV startups and concept cars to sustainable luxury and autonomous prototypes.

As always, the event will feature modern debuts and high-tech reveals from leading manufacturers, but this year's retrospective lens allows visitors to reflect on how far the industry—and culture—has come.

The Javits Center provides a fitting backdrop for this historic celebration. It’s not only where the latest vehicles will be unveiled, but where generations of attendees—families, collectors, engineers, and future drivers—will connect with the legacy of automotive design and performance.

As the automotive industry looks ahead to an electric, connected, and autonomous future, the New York Auto Show reminds us that the past is not just prologue—it’s propulsion.

For full details and ticket information, visit www.autoshowny.com

Since 1900, New York has been the staging location of North America's oldest and largest-attended auto show. For 125 years, the New York International Auto Show continues to be the best place to experience and learn about new products the auto industry offers. Each year, the show provides millions of car buyers with the largest display of cars and trucks in one location in a unique experience. No other venue offers such a comprehensive and engaging forum, where new technology and designs can be viewed, explored, and enjoyed.