21 Classic Photos From the Philadelphia Auto Show’s 116-Year History

Before you, ahem, gear up for the 2017 installment, take a look back at tail fins, concept cars, and Ed Rendell's feat of strength.

Mercedes-Benz display at the Philadelphia Auto Show in the 1960’s. | Images courtesy of Brownstein Group

Mercedes-Benz display at the Philadelphia Auto Show in the 1960’s. | Images courtesy of the Brownstein Group

The Philadelphia Auto Show makes its highly anticipated return this weekend—and the event is encouraging guests to, pun very much intended, “Find What Moves You.”

Running from January 28th to February 5th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the show will mark 116 years since its debut in 1902. Over the past century-plus, it has provided visitors with an all-access pass to the automotive industry’s latest creations.

Highlights of the show include displays of pre-production, hot production, exotic, and classic car models. For the first time ever, a Hollywood cars display showcasing vehicles from some of Hollywood’s biggest films will also be available to guests.

The show will also feature ride-and-drive opportunities, a DUB Magazine exhibit, and two deaf and hard-of-hearing community access events.

Tickets to the nine-day event are $14 for adults (age 13 and up) and $7 for children, and are available at PhillyAutoShow.com or the Pennsylvania Convention Center box office.

To celebrate the 116th Philadelphia Auto Show in our own way, we decided to take a look back at some notable moments and programs from past Philadelphia Auto Shows—and the images are just as vintage as you’d expect (plus, nothing screams Philly quite like Ed Rendell trying to lift a Honda Civic).