Thousands of car lovers and gearheads filled the Phoenix Convention Center Friday morning to check out slick vintage cars and get a peek at brand new 2019 models.

For more than 40 years, the Arizona International Auto Show has been showcasing hundreds of new vehicles to Valley car enthusiasts. But the fun rolls on until 7 p.m. Sunday.

The Arizona International Auto Show “offers a no-pressure environment for consumers to compare new models side by side, check trunk space and even go for a spin around the convention center,” according to a press release from the auto show.

High-end luxury vehicles from Maserati, Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls-Royce and more are on-site. 

The show also offers a look at more than 500 new models of cars, trucks, SUVs, alternative fuel vehicles and crossovers.

The show has become a fixture in Phoenix over the Thanksgiving weekend in recent years.

“We come every year after Thanksgiving just to walk around and then grab lunch,” said Scott Hummel, 48, who attends yearly with his friends.

To add even more excitement to this year’s show, “Bumblebee” came all the way from California to rev up audiences. A character from the “Transformers” hit movie franchise, Bumblebee is an “Autobot” designed from a 1950s Volkswagen.

With the new “Bumblebee” movie slated for release in late December, auto show organizers worked with the studio to have the character in Arizona for the weekend.

Aside from the fun, the auto show gives prospective car buyers a chance to get an up-close look at new models, time-honored brands, cool features and the latest trends before they head to a dealership.

Knox Ramsey, president of the Valley Automobile Dealers Association, which owns the auto show, said about 45 percent of people who attend the event tend to buy or lease a vehicle within a year. 

“Buying a car or truck is an expensive investment, we want to help those folks make an informed decision,” said Ramsey.

Frequent auto show attendees Steve Cross, 68, and Levi Cross, 33, have seen shows from Portland to Phoenix. They both expressed their love for cars and car shows, and Levi says he travels for shows, too.

“We always say it is about two things: education and entertaining,” said Ramsey. ” We want to help people make an informed decision, and our entertaining aspect are the roll riders and hot riders.”

Companies offered a variety of entertainment from test drives and simulations to photo opportunities and trivia games with prizes. 

Adults are not the only ones who can test drive cars. There is a small test track for children to test out their very own miniature cars inside the convention center.

Ramsey said over the last 40 years cars have changed considerably.

In addition to engine innovation, customization and fuel efficiency seem to be increasingly popular. Colors have drifted from the basic blue, red, white and black to varying shades of those colors and more like grays, greens, purples and oranges.

Around the show floor, visitors will find digital tablets for individuals to click through different customization options, such as the color or make allowing them to virtually build their dream car.

Ramsey noted the show helps show how cars have evolved over the past 40 years.

“Look at cars in the 1970s and ’80s with a V8 engine. Today, we are seeing 4-cylinder engines and all turbocharged,.”

Event details:

The event continues through the weekend: Saturday, Nov. 24. from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 25,  from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Cost of admission: Adults (13 years and older) $11; senior citizens (62 years and over) $7; military (with DOD ID) $7; children (7-12) $7. Children under 6 are free.

Sunday is family day and admission for children under 12 is free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Information:autoshowphoenix.com

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