The 2026 New York Auto Show

April 4, 2026 RichardReina Car shows, Events New York Auto Show

The 2026 edition of the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) held its press days on Wednesday and Thursday April 1 and 2, with the show opening to the public on Friday April 3, and closing on Sunday April 12. I again was able to convince the show organizers to provide me a press pass, and I made my way to the Jacob Javits Center on Wednesday the first.

The main floor was almost completely full this year, with a mix of displays hosted by manufacturers and dealers. As has been the case in recent years, Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Subaru, Hyundai, and Kia were the dominant brands with factory support. Local dealers brought in vehicles representing BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volvo. Wednesday’s event was well-attended, as there were press conferences running almost continuously throughout the day.

The lower level was again primarily converted to a large EV test track, where one could sign up for a test ride (not drive) in the EV brand of your choice. Given the recent industry upheavals regarding electric cars, one might presume that EVs would be ignored at a show like this. But such a presumption would be incorrect. There were so many EVs at the show that I’ve broken out coverage of them as a separate section in this blog report.

CHEVROLET

General Motor’s most affordable brand was also the only GM make in attendance at the show. Chevy displayed a complete lineup of cars, trucks, and SUV’s, including a significant number of EVs (covered separately). A highlight was coming across a genuine “concept car,” which for many years had been a frequent auto show feature and has all but disappeared in recent times.

The placard read: “Corvette distilled: Pure, sophisticated sculpture- electrified vision of future Corvette hypercar.”

A 1958 Impala provided a blast from the past. “There’s still no better way to see the USA.”

FORD

Like its crosstown rival Chevrolet, Ford brought “one of each” from its vehicle lineup, with a focus on the Mustang, Bronco, and pickup trucks. The Mach-E Mustang EV is covered separately below.

NISSAN

In addition to its wide range of crossovers, Nissan showed the Z Nismo, now available with a stick shift! I do wonder if that will enhance sales of this slow-selling sports car.

The sign made me wonder, how many people in attendance know how to shift for themselves?

TOYOTA

Prius (which is still a hybrid, not an EV)

This car impressed me. This is the Corolla hatchback in its mid-level FX trim. Standard equipment includes the white wheels, a rear sport wing, Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto compatibility, automatic climate control, power driver’s seat, and heated front seats. Including an $1,195 delivery charge, this car’s bottom line price came to $29,229. I thought this was a lot of car for the money.

I found this under the hood of the RAV4. SAE 0W-8 oil? I need to look that up.

SUBARU

Again occupying a significant amount of floor space, Subaru was out to highlight its many new and restyled models. But in my opinion, these new designs have crossed the line from “different” to “unattractive.” I doubt that will hurt sales, though, because the people I know who drive Subarus swear by them.

STELLANTIS

Globally, no automakers carries more brands in its portfolio, even if most of them are not sold in the U.S. Still, the domestic Stellantis lineup includes Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo. Their display focused on a tie-in with our country’s 250^th anniversary, but of course, that only applies to the domestic makes.

A brag board about its investment in America

DODGE

The focus here was the Charger, available as a two-door, four-door, gas, or electric.

JEEP

The Jeep display highlighted the Wrangler and its many variations. The new Recon Moab EV is covered separately below.

RAM

Mega cabs and dualies serve to overemphasize the enormity of these trucks.

FIAT

Fiat sells one model in the U.S., the 500-e EV. But for some reason, they also decided to display an old 500, which looked like you could pick it up and place it in the bed of one of the Ram trucks.

ALFA ROMEO

While I was very happy to find my favorite brand included, I was equally disappointed at the paucity of the display. There was one Tonale, one Stelvio, and no Giulia. There also was no signage to explain features, options, or pricing, although to be fair, none of the Stellantis brands exhibited explanatory signage. For a brand that is seemingly on life support, the sales and marketing effort made by the company was a big disappointment. Who’s running the show? Are they trying to sell cars? Are Alfa’s dealers up in arms about this?

HYUNDAI

I was in attendance for their press conference, where Hyundai seemingly took the industry by surprise by announcing plans to build a body-on-frame truck (“built in the U.S., using U.S. steel”). The concept, named the Boulder (note the spelling) is planned for a 2030 debut. That is a long way off, and I am left pondering how much the world can (and undoubtedly will) change between now and then. Obviously going after Jeep and Ford, I think that those customers have traditionally stuck with domestic brands. Will the typical Wrangler or Bronco shopper stop in at the local Hyundai dealer?

CLASSIC CARS

It’s become tradition in NY to set aside a small area for several classics to be displayed from someone’s personal collection. This year, the theme was Automobiles of the Great Depression, and included a 1933 Pierce Arrow, a 1935 Auburn, and a 1937 Cord.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Have you heard these numbers? GM: $7.9 billion. Ford: $19.5 billion. Stellantis: $26.2 billion. No, these are not their net profits for 2025. These are the various write-down and restructuring charges (totaling over $53 billion) each of the Big Three lost during 2025, as they turned away from EV investments due to loss of tax credits and a public still reluctant to embrace a pivot toward EVs.

Yet: GM and Stellantis had a significant focus on new and upcoming EVs at the NY show (Ford, less so). Subaru, Hyundai, Kia, Lucid, Volvo, Nissan, and Polestar also had EVs on display. Recent news stories have indicated that Americans, facing rising gasoline prices, are again shopping for alternatives, including EVs, so for those in the market, the NYIAS had vehicles for their consideration. EV manufacturers who were absent included Tesla, Rivian, and VinFast.

The two major bugaboos for consumers, range anxiety and price parity, are slowly but certainly being tackled by the industry. More efficient batteries, continued investment in public charging stations, and lower priced EVs are here or coming soon. But in the short term, it remains to be seen if Americans can be weaned away from their internal combustion engine machines.

I took two test rides on the EV track downstairs. First was a ride in a Lucid Gravity, a large $80,000 SUV. I followed that with a ride in the new Chevy Bolt, a $30,000 compact SUV. Aside from faster acceleration in the Lucid, there was no other discernible difference from the passenger seat, an interesting tidbit for those who might be considering one of the more affordable EVs coming to market.

CHEVROLET

Chevy’s EV focus was mainly on the trucks: Silverado, Equinox, and Blazer. The new Bolt was there as well. The vehicles are good-looking, and pricing seems to be moving toward price-parity with the gas-engine equivalents. I’m just surprised that Chevrolet continues to style the EV versions to look different than their gas counterparts. They are holding onto the idea that an EV should not look like the gas engine vehicle of the same name.

Bolt interior (the higher trim level car)

FORD

With the demise of the F-150 Lightning, Ford’s current EV offerings come down to the Mach-E Mustang, of which there were several on display. There was absolutely no mention of the upcoming “affordable” EV pickup truck.

JEEP

The big EV news at Stellantis was the unveiling of the new Jeep Recon Moab, the “only fully electric vehicle to be Trail Rated.” The published range is 260 miles, so if you’re really going into the wilderness with this, make sure you have the juice to get back home. The starting MSRP is $65,000.

LUCID

The Lucid display was packed all day. They had the four-door Air, the Gravity SUV, and a model called the Sapphire. I had to ask a Lucid rep about the Sapphire. “Oh, that is not a separate model. That is the Air but with every single available option we could possibly add. The price on the Sapphire is $249,000, but of course, you can get an Air starting around $80,000.” This is the kind of vehicle that, right or wrong, causes Americans to think that EVs are out of their price range.

SUBARU

Subaru showed a refreshed Solterra, and a new EV called the Trailseeker. Subaru is going overboard with the black body cladding, painted and unpainted.

VW

The ID Buzz was on display, but the VW stand had nothing else regarding their EV lineup. I was hoping for a sneak preview of the Scout, but there was no mention of it.

HYUNDAI

Based on the vehicles I see on the road, Hyundai has been doing well with the Ioniq lineup of EVs. The Ioniq 9 was on display, as Hyundai smartly starts to offer the larger SUVs that Americans crave.

This styling quirk on the Ioniq 9 caught my eye. Is this a faux fender skirt??

VOLVO

This was my first look at the EX90. From twenty paces, many will mistake it for the XC90, which is the idea. I found the interior a bit too spartan, as is the case with many EVs from other manufacturers as well.

POLESTAR

I couldn’t tell if Polestar was represented by the manufacturer or by a local dealer, but looking at my photos of the display, I would guess the latter.

The Polestar 4 is the car without a rear window. The inside rearview mirror is a camera, which has drawn some controversy in road tests and reviews. Apparently, snow will block the camera lens, leaving the driver with only the outside mirrors for the view to the rear.

NJ AACA Judges’ Training Seminar, March 28,2026

March 29, 2026 RichardReina Car shows, Events, Repair sessions AACA judging, NJ Region AACA

The NJ Region of the AACA will hold its annual car show (officially known as the “Spring Meet”) this year on Sunday, May 3, in Denville, NJ. Because this is a judged event, the club is always looking for volunteer judges, and in 2024, the Region launched a new initiative, when it expanded the number of judges’ training sessions in the months prior to the show. This initiative continued through 2025 and into 2026. (The Reinas hosted twice, breakfast in 2024 and lunch in 2025.)

On Saturday March 28, this year’s second judging seminar was hosted by former Region President Greg R and his wife June. Several dozen club members attended the session, again ably run by Craig, our current President and Chief Judge. Greg has a nice assortment of AACA-eligible vehicles at his home, and several were utilized as the group reviewed the NJ Region’s judging criteria. For our Spring Meet, all cars will be judged on a forty-point scale, with a maximum of ten points awarded each for exterior, interior, engine compartment, and undercarriage. The judges will be looking for a first, second, and third place winner in each class (ties are not allowed).

The group gathers around Greg’s ’76 deVille.

Greg points as he instructs us to not point in front of the owners

More discussion around that engine compartment

Greg’s 1976 Cadillac sedan deVille was an excellent example of a well-preserved, mostly original car that most casual onlookers would consider to be close to perfect. However, AACA rules dictate that cars are judged based on how close they are to the condition they would have been in at new car delivery. While the paint on the Caddy was near perfect, and nothing in the engine compartment appeared non-original, the A/C compressor had recently been replaced, and a fine layer of dirt blanketed everything under the hood. The interior, while clean, showed some normal wear on those areas of frequent contact, and the undercarriage was described as “looking like a used car that has had some miles put on it”. The real teaching lesson? While each of these observations would warrant a deduction, on a scale of one-to-ten, the deductions might only account for a few points. In other words, an otherwise original engine compartment is not going to lose nine out of ten points for being “dirty”.

1976 was the last year before GM shrunk its full-size cars

The group also got a look at Bob’s BMW 6-series coupe, a German model that we don’t often see at our shows. It was a good contrast when compared to the big Cadillacs. After about two hours of fresh air, it was time to regroup inside to enjoy the real reason for attending: lunch. Our host couple had our meal catered by a local Italian restaurant, and that included chicken, meatballs, and salad. Several guests brought dessert, and with that, another successful training session was concluded.

NJ-AROC Monthly Breakfast Meet, March 15, 2026

March 16, 2026 RichardReina Drives, Events NJ-AROC, Spinning Wheel Diner

The calendar confirmed it: yesterday, March 15 put us only six days away from the first day of spring. Yet it was cloudy and brisk, with a strong wind, which did nothing to deter eight faithful Alfisti from attending the NJ-AROC monthly breakfast, held at the Spinning Wheel Diner in Lebanon, NJ. Even better, several brave souls drove their classic Alfas to the event. (The dry and salt-free roads certainly were a contributing factor.)

The tableside conversations were lively as always, and included talk about upcoming events, such as the Imports at Carlisle show in May, as well as the 2027 National AROC convention, which will be in the Maryland/Washington D.C. area, putting it within an easy day’s drive for most of us.

Everyone seemed pleased with their meals, helped by the excellent service by the Spinning Wheel wait staff (and one waitress’s skill with simultaneously handling three coffee carafes). As usual, our chitchat continued in the parking lot after we exited the building, with most of us finally departing by 11 a.m. Fingers are crossed that our April breakfast brings even better weather and a better turnout of our Italian beauties.

I Drove My Alfa Today

March 8, 2026 RichardReina Drives, Events

One month ago, I was sitting in my kitchen, staring out the window at my backyard, which had twelve inches of snow, topped with an inch of ice. Daytime temperatures had been in the teens for weeks, with nighttime lows in the single digits, occasionally dropping below zero F. I gazed at the frozen tundra and said to myself, “this snow is never going away.” Even though I knew that was not true, I wondered exactly how long it would be before the grass was visible again.

Today, with temperatures reaching 70 F, with recent rains having washed the pavement of salt, and with 95% of the snow gone, it truly felt like spring had arrived, twelve days ahead of schedule. I went out to the garage and reversed the winter bedding procedure I’ve always followed for the Alfa Romeo: the cover came off, engine oil level was checked and verified to be OK, tire pressures were reset from 45 psi to 30 psi, and the battery trickle charger was removed.

A quick eyeball of the engine compartment, interior, and trunk showed no cause for alarm, so I inserted the ignition key, pumped the gas pedal a half dozen times, and cranked. The crank was strong, but then I remembered I had forgotten to pull out the choke knob. With choke on, it took only two more tries for the engine to bark to life. I let the car idle for a few minutes before backing it out of the garage, where I let it idle a bit more, waiting for the water temperature to reach normal. At that point, it was time to go for a spin.

Starting mileage for 2026- Note water (acqua) and oil (olio) temperature gauges. Numbers are in Celsius

It was a quiet Sunday afternoon in my neighborhood, so I eased on down the road, taking my time with the shifting, keeping the revs below three grand for now. Watching the gauges, everything seemed fine. It always takes the oil temperature gauge a while longer to reach the mid-point, and once it did, I brought the tach up higher and higher, eventually getting it close to 5,000 (redline is 6,250). I put only seven miles on the car, but it felt great to be behind the wheel again, and it was just what the doctor ordered to chase the winter blues away. With an even better forecast for tomorrow and Tuesday, I will take the car out again. Can’t wait for car show season to start!

Do you trust your old car?

March 4, 2026 RichardReina Events, Repair sessions

My New Jersey Alfa Romeo club is planning a trip to Carlisle, PA, in May, to attend the annual Import car show. At my urging, a number of us are heading out on Friday, staying over for one night, and making the return trip on Saturday. The “Imports at Carlisle” event runs for two days, and there will be plenty to see and do. Last year, over 50 Alfas were in attendance, and more are expected this year.

It’s a 300-mile round trip from my house, and for club members who live east of me, it’s a little longer. The drive is almost 100% highway, with wide, well-paved roads. There is a fair amount of tractor-trailer traffic, but we will be in a caravan staying in the right lane, so we should be very visible to all.

A club member wrote to me to ask if I was planning to drive my 1967 Alfa all the way to Carlisle. I wrote that I have no issue with the distance; the limiting factor for me is my eyesight, so dividing the trip over two days helps. He then asked, “what’s the trick to avoiding breakdowns?” I responded with my list of suggestions that will give drivers the confidence to ensure their classics can do the miles. It doesn’t matter if the car is new to you, or if it’s been in your possession for a decade or more. The overriding concept is to take care of the simple things first. Be proactive, and you’ll help ensure that you will get there and back without issue. Here is my list, culled from years of experience and reading.

Check all the basics first. Before even starting the car, check all fluid levels, tire age (via the four-digit date code), tire pressures including spare, rubber parts like hoses and belts, all lighting, battery age and voltage (you’ll need a voltmeter), and fuses. Correct everything that isn’t right.
Are there any fluid leaks? You may need to make a judgment call. Where are the leaks coming from, and how bad are they? Old cars tend to drip fluids. If it’s a leak that you can easily fix, like a drip from the engine oil drain plug, do that as part of your initial maintenance. If there is slight seepage from the rear axle, you might get away with checking the fluid level more regularly for now.
Start the car. How easily does it start? Was the cranking strong? Did the engine settle into a smooth idle? Eyeball the dash gauges for normal operation. When was the last time it got a full tune-up and an oil change? If it’s been a few years, or you don’t know, shut it down, and replace the plugs, wires, cap, rotor, points, condenser, fuel filter, air filter, and the oil and filter.
Start the car, let it warm up for a few minutes, and make sure the manual choke (if equipped) is pushed in. Take it for a ride around the block, and no further. How does it drive? Pay attention to the steering, braking, and acceleration. If this is your first time with a classic, be aware that a 1979 Buick is not going to steer, brake, or handle like a 2026 Buick. Do you hear any unusual noises? When do they occur? On acceleration, braking, or turning? If something doesn’t feel right, investigate it further. If that is beyond your skill set, you’ll need professional advice.
Go on increasingly longer drives. Start with a five-mile drive. Return home and give all the fluid levels a quick check. Open the hood to ensure that nothing obvious is amiss. Then go on a ten-mile drive and check everything again. Work your way up to 20-, 25-, and 50-mile round trip drives. Always give the car a thorough check after each ride.
Always carry tools, spare parts, a flashlight, and a blanket. The trunk of my Alfa always has a set of plugs, wires, a spare fuel pump, and a tool bag. Always have a cell phone with you, and if you’re not a member of AAA or similar, that’s a good idea too.
Travel with others. If you are in a caravan and you get stuck, others will be there to help you out. Many years ago, my wife and I were in my 1968 Mustang on our way to Nashville when the heater core let go, dumping hot coolant into the front passenger seat footwell. We were in a big caravan, and as soon as I pulled over, so did several other Mustang drivers. With their help, we rerouted the heater hoses to take the heater core out of the circuit. The remainder of the two-thousand-mile drive to Nashville and back was without incident.

2004: My ’68 Mustang California Special at the 40th anniversary meet in Nashville, TN

2014: My Alfa and its fellow New England 1000 rally cars in Freeport, ME (photo courtesy of R. Appleton)

My farthest trip from home in the Alfa was to Freeport, ME, a one-way distance of 400 miles. It’s been on the weeklong New England 1000 rally three times, each rally totaling around 1,500 miles. Over thirteen years of ownership, I’ve put close to 15,000 miles on it. I’ve broken down three times. The first time, just weeks after getting the car, the ten-year-old battery died. I should have replaced it as soon as I purchased the car. The second time, we were in Newport, RI, and the alternator died, which also drained the battery. I bought a new battery, drove home without a working alternator, and replaced it as soon as I was home. The third time, a front brake caliper overheated and seized because the brake fluid was old. I rebuilt the caliper and flushed the brake fluid. Other than these incidents, it has been extremely reliable.

I believe in the old-car adage, “the more you drive it, the more reliable it is!”

NJ Region AACA Judging School, Feb. 2026

February 25, 2026 RichardReina Events, Repair sessions Judging seminar, NJ Region AACA

The NJ Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) holds an annual car show on the first Sunday of May. This tradition dates back to the Region’s founding in 1951 (and this year marks our 75th anniversary). Because the show is judged, we require judges to inspect each of the 150 to 250 vehicles that participate. It’s a big task, and since judging is done by volunteers, the Region is constantly seeking additional volunteers.

Two years ago, the Region decided to offer more extensive judges training in hopes of attracting a larger audience for the task, and so far, those efforts have been successful. For the third consecutive year, Dick and Bobbi Bettle invited us to use their home, garage, and automobiles for judging school. On Saturday, February 21, several dozen AACA members gathered there, and the proceedings opened with lunch! (What better way to entice a bunch of car guys and gals to give up part of their Saturday.) Once we had our fill, the tribe marched downstairs, where current Regional President Craig Kunz, who also continues to serve as Chief Judge, ran a judging seminar using Dick’s heavily modified Ford Model A along with his unmodified 2000 Saturn.

Lunch, before the hungry crowd returned for seconds.

As has been covered in previous posts, AACA judging evaluates automobiles on a point scale, deciding to what extent an automobile meets the criteria of “appearing as if it were a new car in a dealer’s showroom”. The two major qualities judges look for are “authenticity” and “condition”. While the National club uses a judging sheet based on a 400-point scale, the Region simplifies that with a 40-point scale, awarding a maximum of 10 points each in the categories of exterior, interior, engine, and chassis.

Having a 2000 model-year car was important for this session, because AACA eligibility is based on a twenty-five-year rolling basis. Once a car becomes twenty-five years old, it is eligible for an AACA show. This year, “the class of 2001” will be newly allowed to attend. Dick’s Saturn was an excellent car for training because most of the car nuts in attendance were not used to peering under the hood and seeing a transversely-mounted front wheel drive powertrain, and an engine compartment filled with lots of plastic covers and black boxes.

Not your traditional old car engine compartment.

As soon as judges training was over, we marched back upstairs for dessert and coffee. This was another well-run judging school, and the Region hopes that the day’s efforts will be rewarded on Show Day, when we expect a sufficient number of judges to raise their hands when asked to volunteer!

The Volvo P1900 Sports Car

February 16, 2026 RichardReina Cars on the street, Dealerships Volvo P1900

I can hear the outcry from here: “Oh Richard, there’s a typo in your header. Certainly, you meant to write “The Volvo P1800 Sports Car!” No I didn’t.

Indeed there was a Volvo P1800 model (progressively renamed the 1800S, 1800E, and 1800ES). Manufactured as both a coupe and three-door sport wagon, they were built from 1961 through 1973, and have become well known and sought after among enthusiasts. By comparison, Volvo’s P1900 is unknown to all but diehard Volvo fanatics. It is also a rare “failure” from Volvo, with upper management pulling the plug after a brief production run. As such, there is very little printed information available about the car.

My primary source of information about this model is “Volvo—The Cars—From the 20s to the 80s” by Bjorn-Eric Lindh. Within this hardcover book is a six-page chapter devoted to the P1900. The car was especially infamous for its fiberglass body, which to the best of my knowledge was the only time Volvo manufactured bodies with that material. Quoting Lindh:

“… Assar Gabrielsson (head of Volvo) had been in the habit of visiting the USA now and again to meet with suppliers and business contacts and to keep abreast of what was happening in the industry. During a visit in 1953, he quickly realized that there was a burgeoning interest in sports models, including … the new Corvette. The Corvette was made of polyester reinforced with glass fibre, and he was so taken with the new technique that he traveled to California to visit Glasspar, the company which had pioneered the use of glass fibre in boats and cars.”

A production P1900, photo from Lindh’s book

This claim that Chevy’s Corvette directly influenced the birth of the P1900 is not repeated in any of the official Volvo publications I own. Lindh goes on to imply that Glasspar also designed the car, which was completed so quickly that Gabrielsson was still in the States when the styling exercise was completed! The body drawings were sent to Sweden, and a chassis was needed. Since the then-current PV444 was unibody, an entirely new chassis was developed. Running gear was taken from the PV444, with a horsepower bump from 60 to 70. Prototypes were built and tested, and the car went into production for model year 1956.

The P1900 chassis, photo from Lindh’s book. No collapsible steering column here!

Several problems quickly emerged, mostly around quality. A long-distance test drive undertaken with one of the first production models included complaints of a flexible frame, weak body mounts, and poor door fitment. Despite a marketing campaign aimed at both Swedish and American customers, demand was low. Volvo’s new boss, Gunnar Engellau, took a P1900 home for a weekend, and he quickly concluded that the car was not up to Volvo’s standards, so he ordered that production be shut down.

Forty-four cars were built in 1956, and a further twenty-three in 1957, for a total production run of sixty-seven (plus, according to Lindh, “four, or possibly five, prototypes”). And that was the end of the P1900, although, it was not the end of Volvo’s desire to produce a sporting car. But the story of the P1800 is a story for another day.

A P1900 prototype, photos from Lindh’s book. Note the wrap-around windshield and fixed roof. Based on side molding, these may be two different cars.

The P1900 came back to my attention when I found the photographs of the Volvo ECC which were the subject of last week’s blog post. I also found photos taken in 1994 during a family reunion trip to North Carolina. I had seen a For Sale ad, likely in Old Cars Weekly, for a Volvo P1900 for sale. The car was at a Volvo dealer, Wes Howell Volvo in Wilmington, NC, so we swung by on our way down. Unfortunately, the only day we could visit was a Sunday, when the dealer was closed, so my photos were taken through a showroom window. This was the first time I had seen a P1900 in the “fiberglass.” The asking price was somewhere in the mid-to-high teens, which I didn’t have, and besides, I was trying to finish the Isetta, and didn’t need another distraction!

Photo from Lindh’s book: A P1900 staged with a Volvo Duett and a 1940 Graham Hollywood!

Sometime around 2006, I was part of a VCNA crew selected to drive Volvo’s classic car collection from Port Newark to Rockleigh. I was piloting a 445 wagon, and some other lucky devil got to drive the P1900, which had recently been restored. Do any current or former Volvo employees know if Volvo USA still owns it?

The P1900 in the dealer’s showroom, between a 544 and an 1800.

Note the “Volvo Sport” script; some sources state that this is the car’s official name

My P1900 model, a gift from my Swedish pal Lenny, atop Lindh’s Volvo book.

1993: The Volvo Environmental Concept Car (ECC)

February 11, 2026 RichardReina Uncategorized

One of the best aspects of working for an automobile manufacturer as a car enthusiast was the occasional opportunity to peer into the brand’s crystal ball. This happened numerous times for me as a Volvo employee, usually during a business trip to Sweden, Volvo’s mother country. But sometimes they brought the excitement directly into our backyard, as happened in 1993 when a full-size concept car, in this case the Volvo ECC (Environmental Concept Car) was put on display in Rockleigh, NJ, Volvo’s American headquarters.

Similar to today’s EVs, the ECC sports a fake “grille”, unneeded with this powertrain

Interestingly, the ECC was built as a hybrid, long before our current market infatuation with that term. According to the Wikipedia article on the car:

… the Volvo ECC used a gas turbine engine to drive the generator for recharging. This type of engine has a higher thermodynamic efficiency than the conventional internal combustion engine with pistons. Also in Volvo’s design, the fuel is evaporated and mixed with air before ignition. This provides a very low NOx emission. The driver can also switch between gas turbine electric and hybrid by switches on the dashboard.

That particular hybrid setup never made it to market. What did come to market, in 1998, was a totally new sedan, the Volvo S80, and in retrospect, we saw that the styling of the ECC was very close to completely foretelling the S80’s design. The new design language of the S80 was a major breakthrough for Volvo, and spread throughout the rest of the range. The ECC was designed in 1992, and the S80 was launched in 1998, six years later. This gives you some idea of the long lead time that automobile manufacturers often need when bringing a totally new car to market

The ECC sat under a tent in the parking lot. It must have been hot that day.

I remember that day in 1993 well. The ECC was parked outside one of Volvo’s buildings in the industrial park, and employees were given permission to inspect it. I had my camera with me that day at work, so obviously, I was expecting to see it, and was excited at the opportunity to take a few snaps. Learning about the ECC made me proud to work for a company that was developing environmental solutions within our industry.

Several other new cars (like this 855) were staged in the lot as well.

That tail light shape would become the symbol of the S80s new design language.

Yes, that’s me. I have no explanation for the shades and the tucked-in tie. But in 1993, suits and ties were still the dress code at VCNA.

The 2026 Philadelphia Auto Show

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026 RichardReina Car shows, Events Philadelphia Auto Show

I made my way to Center City Philadelphia this week to attend the annual new car show, held as always in the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Fortunately, it’s only an hour’s drive (if traffic is behaving), and there are plenty of parking lots and garages in the immediate vicinity. The Philly show is on a much smaller scale than the NY show (which will be in April this year), and tends to be less crowded and more laid back than NY, and therefore more enjoyable. It’s been at least five or six years since I made my way to Philly for this one, and I’m glad I went. (I wrote a blog post about my 2012 visit to this show, which you can read here.)

There was a surprisingly good array of both domestic and import brands represented, but that observation deserves an asterisk. As I came to realize during my stroll, more than a few of these brands were supported not by the manufacturer, but by a local dealer. I cannot tell you with a high degree of certainly which were which, but if the size of the display were an indicator, I would conclude that Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Honda, and maybe Stellantis (Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram/Fiat/Alfa Romeo) were manufacturer-sponsored, and Subaru, Nissan, Volkswagen, Cadillac, Tesla, and maybe Lincoln were dealer-sponsored. The two brands which I am 100% certain were dealer-sponsored, both because of the signage and my engagement with a salesperson, were Volvo and Polestar, with vehicles on site courtesy of Volvo/Polestar of Princeton, owned by the Long family.

Despite the turmoil in the news about electric vehicles and the loss of government incentives, consumer reluctance, and factory pullbacks, every brand at the show included EVs, some more prominently than others. First, you had pure EV makes like Polestar, Tesla, Fiat, and Lucid. Cadillac shocked me (no pun intended) when I learned that except for the CT5 sedan, every other vehicle they had on display was a pure EV (NOT hybrid). Obviously, the EV push is not going away.

Just as NY has done for the past several years, the main floor in the Convention Center included an EV test track, and show-goers could ride in the EV of their choice. While I didn’t take advantage of the opportunity, whenever someone mentions to me that they would “never” own an EV, my first question in response is, “but have you driven one?” Almost always, the answer is “no,” and it becomes difficult to reconcile the “never” answer when one hasn’t at least tried it. Shows like NY and Philly give you a free, no pressure chance to have the experience.

General and specific observations continue below, accompanied by photographs.

For a Tuesday afternoon, the show was well-attended, but not so crowded as to impede access to the cars.

The main aisle was cleverly carpeted with this highway-like stripe.

This was my first time seeing a pillar-to-pillar screen. It was so wide that I had to sit in the back seat to photograph it.

If a sea of silver, grey, and black bore you, McLaren offers these eye-searing shades.

SUBARU

The new Forester has grown to the size of the previous Outback

No one was near the RWD BRZ sports coupe which looks tiny next to its siblings

INEOS GRENADIER

These high-end SUVs and trucks have been advertised on TV, but aside from that, I know very little about them. This show was the first opportunity I’ve had to see them in person, and while I’m not a “truck guy” by any means, I could relate to their attractiveness for a certain clientele. Looking at the manufacturer’s website, the starting prices are lower than I expected, $62,995, which is competitive with many similar vehicles.

CADILLAC

The Optiq is the smallest of Cadillac’s EV SUV lineup (followed by the Lyriq, Vistiq, and Escalade IQ), and I found the exterior to be quite attractive. I especially liked the low height, giving it more of a station wagon profile. The AWD model starts at $56,195.

The Escalade IQ, by comparison, is grotesquely obscene. Photos do not adequately portray the gargantuan, gluttonous proportions of its hideousness. The only purpose this vehicle has in the marketplace is to call attention to itself and its ostentatious owner about its ability to cast its dark shadow onto every other vehicle on the road.

BUICK

With an MSRP starting under $25,000, the appeal of this good-looking Envista is easily understood. It looks to me like a well-designed cross between a car and a crossover. Take a look at that Monroney label as well: the engine and transmission are sourced from Mexico, 73% of its foreign parts come from Korea and China, and its final assembly point is in Korea, which help hold down the price.

THE Y-JOB

What an incredible surprise to see Harley Earl’s Y-Job in the metal. He unveiled it in 1938, and the public must have thought they were looking at a space ship. It still looks revolutionary today. Yet, it was mostly ignored by the show attendees.

ALFA ROMEO

Situated among its Stellantis cousins was a Tonale SUV, the only Alfa at the show. (Alfa showrooms also include the Giulia sedan and the larger SUV, the Stelvio.) The black paint did it no favors, as I find black cars at indoor car shows to mute the styling (as well as being a challenge to photograph). Still, at least Alfa was here.

FORD

The Bronco and Bronco Sport were the big story, highlighting some different color choices too.

POLESTAR

As mentioned above, it was the local dealer which populated the Polestar display, and it included the cleverly-named Polestar 1, 2, 3, and 4 models. All kidding aside, the 1 and 2 are out of production, and the cars on the floor were used cars for sale. (I thought the 2024 Polestar 2 with an asking price of $36,888 to be a bit of a bargain. I had one for a weekend, which you can read about here.) The new Polestars were the 3 and the 4. The 3 is the large SUV, but again, the black paint did nothing to accentuate its rather nice lines. The 4 is the controversial one, as it has no rear window, and the inside rear view mirror is a camera. From what I’ve read, drivers who wear glasses might struggle with a poorly defined depth of field. I must also ask: what happens when (sad to say, not “if,” but “when”) the mirror/camera goes on the blink and you no longer have any vision of what’s directly behind you?

Did AI write this? “Passenger doors rear left: Conventional left rear passenger door.”

Pre-owned 2024 Polestar 2 with 10,000 miles

This Polestar 4 has no ‘backlight’ (rear window)

The inside rear view mirror is really a camera. Here’s what you see.

THE AACA EXHIBIT

If tradition is any guide, I was expecting a display of classic cars at the Philly show, because they have been there during my previous visits. This year, with the AACA sponsoring what was billed as “Classic Blvd.,” it took over an entire hall separate from the new cars. I will guess that there were 40 to 50 classics on display, and about a third of those were Triumphs, sponsored by the Delaware Valley Triumph Club.

This Alfa Romeo Montreal was a special surprise:

The Triumphs:

Alfa’s National Magazine Again Publishes My Bologna Car Show Article

January 26, 2026 RichardReina Car shows, Ephemera, Events Alfa Owner magazine, AROC, Auto e Moto d'Epoca

The esteemed editors of the monthly Alfa Owner magazine, the official publication of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (AROC), selected my article submission for publication in the magazine’s February 2026 edition. Similar to my article from 2025, the story summarized my visit from October of last year at the Auto e Moto d’Epoca, the annual classic car show in Bologna, Italy.

Although my numerous blog posts from the show (found here, here, and here) covered all Italian makes, my AROC story included only the Alfas, understandably so. Thirteen of my photos were included, and I am again honored by this decision. A special thanks must go to Elyse Barrett, managing editor, who worked so closely with me and provided wonderful editorial guidance, as she has for my previous articles.

The four pages from the article are scanned below.