You’ve read here on the ExNotes blog about good buddy Mike and me having an adventure or two. I’ve known Mike since junior high school, which means he’s pretty old. So am I, now that I think about it. Anyway, Mike and I still talk every week or so (it’s a bicoastal relationship), and he most recently told me about the NY Auto Show. I suggested a guest blog, and what you see here is the result. It’s well done and well photographed. Enjoy, my friends.
After a two-year absence due to the pandemic, the New York International Auto Show returned to the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Midtown Manhattan. The NY Auto Show has been in existence since 1900. I can remember attending the show during the ’60s with my father at the New York Coliseum off Columbus Circle. In 1988 it was moved to the Jacob Javits Center.
The NY Auto Show always featured the latest models of all makes as well as the experimental prototypes designed by the best auto designers in the world. If you wanted to see the latest and greatest, this was the show to attend in the Northeast. A highlight of all the shows has always been the beautiful models on stage with the cars.
Probably the most memorable show, for me, was in 1979 when a close friend of mine decided to sell his 1978 Corvette Indy Pace Car at the show. We had the car transported to the show on a flatbed and after numerous inspections and paperwork we had it on display. Besides the excitement of showing a car at this prestigious event, the most exciting part was having my then girlfriend (and now wife) Carol model the car. Needless to say, the display drew a lot of attention, not because of the car but because of her presence. She wore a black jumpsuit and silver blouse. Great attention, but no sale.
I always attend on the first day of the show and this year was no exception. Upon entering, I was greeted by Ford’s full display. The centerpiece was an original Ford GT and the newest Ford GT.
After going through the various displays (including Mopar, Chevrolet, Nissan, and more), I soon realized the focus was on electric vehicles. Performance was there (with the new Z06 Corvette and convertible), but the primary focus was electric. In my opinion, it was very boring and a waste of my time.
The international marques were also present, including Rolls Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, Volvo, and Alfa Romeo, along with the usual Japanese. The largest displays were by Toyota and Subaru. Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, Ferrari, and not even Cadillac were present. What a disappointment! I recently ordered a 2022 Cadillac CT5 and was looking forward to a close examination of that car. After walking for miles up and down the center I finally found an information booth where I learned Cadillac was not attending. Unbelievable, but true.
The 2022 NY International Auto Show was a waste of my time. No prototypes, no customs, no major performance cars, along with the inability to see all the cars made and speak with the representatives, this may be last for me. Did I mention, no beautiful models either? Nope, none. The highlight of the day was having a hot dog, pretzel, and a beer.
Awesome, Mike, and thanks very much. You have a way with a keyboard, and we appreciate hearing about the legendary NY Auto Show.
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Bummer that even the NY Auto Show has lost its mojo. Are car companies getting cheap and lazy? I think it’s all driven (pun intended) by how current investors are short-term stock price motivated and the large automakers end up not being able to build those cool “futuristic” cars that push the design envelope. Wall Street loves big honking gas guzzling high margin SUVs…..but then peppered with the electric vehicles to appear green. Now I’m depressed…..where’s my Yoo-Hoo…..
Yeah, well my feelings exactly after attending my last International Motorcycle Show right before the pandemic. Very sad and not much there except the new models from all the manufacturers. I was told that the new one this year was “better” by people who went but compared to what they were 10 or 20 years ago they’re a bust. I think that a lot of people just never got back to a normal footing after the great recession of 2008.
I agree, and I agree that’s when they went downhill big time. I have not been to an international motorcycle show in the US I thought was worth my time since pre-2008. Now the Canton Fair…that’s another story.
The NY motorcycle show has indeed become boring but if you’re there, make sure to walk the “High Line Park”. It ends near the Javits Center, or begins there. It was better while under construction because you had the place to yourself. Now it gets crowded. Still worth it. And also, I believe the oncoming rush of electric cars and motorcycles spells the end of fun in the world.
I’ve walked the High Line. I agree with all your observations…modern motorcycle shows have become boring, walking the High Line in NYC is awesome, and we’re headed towards the end of fun in the world (unless, of course, you visit Bill’s Bike Barn in Bloomsburg, PA…watch the ExNotes blog for me…much more).
I did check out Bills Old Bike Barn. Pretty cool. I’ll toss it out to my riding buddies and see who wants to go. It’s about a six hour ride. I like Pennsylvania for riding. I took a friend to see Centralia, he wanted to kill me. LOL. I’ve been there three times.
Bummer. I believe social media marketing (especially u-tube short vids) have supplanted the up close and personal events. I imagine that is a natural progression for the young tech heavy marketing generation pushed along by the pandemic and the $$$$ required to transport and display real products.
Us old pharts like real 3D, and of course the live models.
Have the shows become boring or are we just bored? Not many new bikes I’m interested in.
They have become boring, IMO. They are fixing things that don’t need fixing.