How annoying are carenthusiasts? You can’t mention a word about an automobile or car part withoutthem launching into a soliloquy about the Lotus Elise versus the Lotus Elan,and how directly (or indirectly) said cars influenced the design of the Miataand other European roadsters of its class. And when it comes to NASCAR fans andtruck enthusiasts, the conversations range from pretentious to perfunctory.Luckily, there’s a place for this subculture of geekdom: the modern Americanauto show. Feel free to send the car lover in your life to play with his or herfriends at one of these ten biggest auto shows in the U.S.
When you think cars,you think Detroit. In the top car city in the nation, the 2012 Detroit AutoShow had its best opening day in years. More than 92,000 people showed up forthis stunner, up about 6,000 from last year. Debuting the 2013 Cadillac ATS, thefuturistic Acura NSX Concept, and the new Dodge Dart (of all things), this wasa banner year for the Detroit show. And with Mercedes debuting images of CheGuevara with the Mercedes logo on his beret and stirring up controversy, itseems that there’s something in Detroit for even the most revolutionary.
Featuring lots ofdebuts in U.S. and international cars alike, the Los Angeles Auto Show isanother worldly shining star. Usually occurring toward the holiday season, the2011 LA Auto Show featured such debuts as the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, thecrowd-pleasing 2012 Fiat Abarth, and the Subaru BRZ Concept STI.
Car culture is nojoke in Houston. Whether because of sprawl and access to money, or for someother mysterious reason, the Houston Auto Show draws car enthusiasts out of thewoodwork. It’s not who you’d expect either. The hipster living downtown isprobably less likely to be in attendance than the suburban mom and dad thathave four classic cars and want to see the newest concept design. A fun mix offamily and fanatic, there’s something in Houston for everyone.
The nation’s largestand longest continually running car show, the Chicago Auto Show began in 1901,and is held annually at Chicago’s McCormick Place convention complex. This showis one of the industry stalwarts, and home to many reveals, including the 2012Shelby GT350 and the Special Edition 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata, a philosophicaldescendant of European roadsters like the stunning Lotus Elan. With targetedniches for the most specific of auto enthusiasts, mainstream and alternativepress coverage, and lots of yearly buzz and boom for the Windy City, it seemsthat being the granddaddy of car shows ain’t so bad.
Also claiming to bethe nation’s oldest (but not the longest-running), the New York CityInternational Auto Show opened its doors to press, industry folk, and thepublic in 1900. The best truly international car show in the country, for autoenthusiasts, this is the best thing about springtime in New York.
An August show inCalifornia, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is not only a prestigiouscharity event, but a showcase and celebration of the classic cars that aregiants of design and beauty. Featuring vintage futuristic concept cars, such asthe original Bertone BAT (Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica), this event is morethan 60 years old, and a true competition of elegance.
Also a prestigiousCalifornia event, the Gathering at the Quail is a private group of peopleshowcasing elegant cars and luxury brands. Exclusive and high-brow, theGathering at the Quail (a private golf course and meeting place) placeshigh-end buyers right in the hands of high-end sellers. Not for the faint ofheart or pocketbook.
Sevenstock is thelargest gathering of Mazda and rotary engine enthusiasts in the world. A bit ofa celebration of brand as well, as car counterculture, Sevenstock annuallybrings Mazda fans from around the globe to the company’s headquarters inIrvine, Calif. Begun as an independent celebration from the SoCalRXGroup,Sevenstock has now become a corporately sanctioned event for Mazda loversworldwide.
In the late 1980s,the area for the auto show of the Texas State Fair more than tripled, and afanbase was born. In the middle of the fall, this international car and, ofcourse, truck show offers activities for the whole family, as well as niceentertainment for auto enthusiasts alike. Becoming larger, more influential,and more relevant every year, the State Fair of Texas Auto Show is not one tobe missed.
The Art Car Paradeis the largest art car showing in the world, and definitely a place to let yourfreak flag fly! Though not for the traditional auto enthusiast, Art Car fanshail from Baltimore to Burning Man alike. Held in Houston, Texas — home to theArt Car Museum — this yearly gathering is both flashy and fun!
Contacts and sources:
Liz Nutt
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