New York's rich automotive history to be celebrated at auto show

(April 10, 2017) From Manhattan to Buffalo to Saratoga Springs and beyond, many people are surprised to learn that New York State was once home to over 100 different automobile manufacturers. At the 2017 New York International Automobile Show, organizers are celebrating New York State's automobile heritage with a special exhibition curated by the Saratoga Automobile Museum.

Just some of the vehicles — made or raced in New York — that will be on display at this year's Show: 1909 Alco-6 Racer (raced); 1923 Franklin;  Series 10B Sedan (made) 1947 Playboy Prototype (made); 1950 Allard  J2 (raced); 1956 Midget Racer (raced).

While most New York automakers were small, there were great successes like Pierce Arrow and Franklin (pictured at left). During the early years of automobile production in the 1890s, Detroit was not yet the nation's "Motor City." New Yorkers of the early 1900s owned more than 60,000 cars, which was 50% more cars than the residents of any other state in the nation. With that kind of demand for automobiles, it is not surprising that New York State had over 100 different manufacturers.

New York State automakers of the 1910s and 1920s built tens of thousands of cars. During the 1920s and 1930s, some of the first motor parkways, the precursors to today's highways were also built in New York.

By the 1940s, more than three million cars were vying for their share of the roads and highways in the Empire State, and the economic implications of the automobile industry helped preserve New York as the economic center of the nation.

Some early New York made cars became famous for quality, reliability and endurance. Buffalo produced the Thomas Flyer, which in 1908 attracted worldwide attention by winning the New York to Paris race and in 1911 by placing second at the Indianapolis 500.

Hardly known as a hotbed of the auto industry, Long Island nevertheless attracted some very interesting specialty auto builders. Coachbuilder Brewster built its own automobiles from available components during the years 1915 through 1925 in Long Island City in Queens. Later, from 1934 through 1935, the company built some cars with highly original styling, using principally Ford and a few Buick chassis.


1950 Allard J2 roadster (Saratoga Autmobile Museum)

From manufacturing, custom coach-building and importing, New Yorkers had a surprisingly large role in making the automobile what it is today.

Racing in New York State

Six cars competed in New York State's first auto race. The race covered the distance from New York City to Irvington-on-Hudson and back, averaging 10 miles per hour. The year was 1896, and few New Yorkers had ever even laid eyes on an automobile before. From these modest beginnings, racing blossomed into a major 20th-century sport in New York and the surrounding area.

By mid-century, road race courses and speedways across New York State — many of them located at county, state and local fair-grounds- featured automobile racing events. Auto racing drew hundreds of thousands of spectators, and showcased the skills and daring professionals and amateurs alike. New York's racing fans applauded the courage of the drivers, and were in awe over the raw power and speed of their cars.

About the Saratoga Automobile Museum

The Saratoga Automobile Museum is a state-of-the-art museum located in the Spa State Park in what was formerly a bottling plant for the mineral springs. Opened in 2002 by local auto enthusiasts, the main exhibits continually change, showcasing everything from antique and classic cars to muscle, green and super cars. The museum features dozens of major outdoor car shows and 'cruise-ins' from all over the country.