2025 NYIAS | Customs and Supercars

The New York Auto Show is the oldest event of its kind in the US. The first 1900 show happened at the original Madison Square Garden, a few blocks away from the current Javits Center location. At that time, MSG was a hotbed of track racing for bicycles, annually hosting a non-stop six day bike race.

To mark the 125th anniversary, a special exhibit was staged at the entrance that assembled a timeline collection of significant cars. Models included were a 1909 Cadillac Model 30 Demi Tonneau, 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, 1963 Corvette Split Window and a first gen Bugatti Veyron. I’d have liked to see a contemporary SUV at the end to show that basically it’s full circle back to the proportions of those early 20th century cars.

For the past several years, a collector exhibit has been staged on the main concourse. James Buzzetta Jr., — a third-generation automobile dealer and auto enthusiast brought a number of mostly rally-inspired Subaru WRX models. Also included was a 1970 Subaru 360, I’d never seen one before. He also showed a pristine 1991 Legacy Turbo. I wonder if he’s got a mint XT Coupe somewhere in the garage, that’s the one I’d want.

Downstairs the R2X Expo returned to anchor a section dedicated to custom and tuner and overland vehicles. There were some interesting finds among all the stanced and body-kitted imports. The gargantuan apartment on wheels Storyteller GXV Epic is what you might get by prompting AI to combine a Land Rover Defender with a motorhome. Lurking among the tuners was a super clean Ford Escort RS Cosworth, complete with Frank Stephenson designed flying rear wing. Lastly, Japanese Porsche tuner Akira Nakai of RAUH-Welt Begriff (RWB) had a few builds on display and was going to complete a car on-site during the public days. I saw the purple 911 earlier this year at Classic Car Club Manhattan’s Winter Toys event.

Photos and Text: Dave Pinter