Event · Hudson Yards
Retromobile New York Opens at the Javits Center: Paris Classic Car Show Debuts in NYC
Paris's Rétromobile classic car show makes its U.S. debut at Manhattan's Javits Center, November 19–22. Gooding Christie's runs an auction featuring more than 70 motorcycles from Billy Joel's collection, plus Steve McQueen's Ferrari 275.
By NBT Editors · 2026-11-10
Rétromobile, the classic car show that has run in Paris since 1976, is making its first appearance in the United States. Rétromobile New York takes place November 19–22 at the Javits Center on Manhattan's far west side.
The organizers secured 400,000 square feet across four halls and have said they are aiming for 200 to 250 exhibitors at the inaugural edition. According to Jalopnik, this year's Paris show drew 600 exhibitors, about 2,000 cars and motorcycles and 146,000 visitors, so New York is expected to be roughly half that size. The format mixes a large auction with automaker displays, car clubs, parts dealers, coachbuilders, restorers and dealers.
Gerard Neveu, the former CEO of the FIA World Endurance Championship, is CEO of Retromobile US. Motor1 reports that New York was chosen partly for logistics and partly because the area already has a large community of collectors and brokers. Gooding Christie's is the auction partner.
One headline sale is the Billy Joel Motorcycle Collection. Maxim reports that more than 70 motorcycles from the singer's own garage will cross the block at the Javits Center on November 19 and 20, with proceeds going to The Joel Foundation. The bikes span Ducati, BMW, Moto Guzzi, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Triumph, Honda and Kawasaki. Among them is a custom-painted 1978 Triumph T140 Bonneville, given to Joel by Madison Square Garden for his 150th sold-out show there, with an estimate of $10,000–$15,000. A 1982 Ducati Mike Hailwood 900 is estimated at $15,000–$25,000, and a restored 1975 Ducati 750 Sport at $25,000–$35,000. Steve McQueen's Ferrari 275 is also part of the auction.
Public previews for the auction run November 18–21. Other coverage points to Jerry Seinfeld's Porsches among the show's attractions. For Japanese readers who follow European classic car culture, this brings a Paris institution to Manhattan.
(Details are drawn from points that agree across reports by Maxim, Jalopnik, Motor1.)
