Here’s gallery number three from the 2025 Buffalo Motorama, and if you missed the previous galleries just use the link below to check out those photos as well. Big thanks to Mike for always sharing his show coverage with all of us here at BANGshift. We appreciate it!
(Words and Photos by Mike Brooks) Since 2011, the Buffalo Motorama has been a staple in western New York car culture, showcasing the area’s automotive history and deep rooted passion for everything on wheels. The show was created by Joe Haniszewski, his family, and his friends to fill a void in the local scene. There’s always been a decades long history of indoor car shows in Buffalo, and when those shows ceased to exist, Joe was longing for that tradition to continue, and stepped up to the plate. What he and his team created turned into a major event with all the glitz and glam of the big corporate shows, but still felt like a family get together.
The 2025 edition of this show was no different, featuring all the stuff enthusiasts want to see. Vehicles of every type from original and restored classics, race prepped cars & trucks, exotics, motorcycles & vintage snowmobiles, muscle cars, movie cars, heavily modified custom cars & trucks too! The main show floor also featured important pieces of history, such as a 1948 Playboy hardtop convertible. This featured car was #83 out of only 97 produced. Playboys were manufactured right in Buffalo and less that 45 are known to survive today. Another unique display of rarity was the rare public appearance of the 1963 Ford Cougar II and 1963 Ford Mustang II concept cars. These unrestored original concept cars are seldom shown, and this was the first time they have been displayed in New York State since the 1964 world’s fair.
The lower floor of the Buffalo Convention center featured multiple displays throughout the ballrooms and lobby including features from the local Jeep and Edsel clubs. The main ballroom satisfied the appetites of all the two wheeled enthusiasts with a vast display of vintage and custom motorcycles, as well as an awesome collection of bmx, freestyle, and vintage bicycles. The “open wheel room” created a great atmosphere with a collection of traditional hot rods, classic survivors, and vintage race cars along with live rockabilly and surf rock bands. A charity pinstripers “panel jam” featured many artists who were creating their custom works of art right on the spot. The pieces were then available for sale and auctioned off to benefit the CHC learning center for handicapped children, and over $10,000 was raised this year!
Unfortunately, it was announced that 2025 would be the final year for the Buffalo Motorama. With Joe and his wife relocating later this year, they’ll be starting a new show in 2026. Be on the lookout as plans for the debut of the Greenville Motorama are already underway as the show moves to Greenville, SC for March 13-15th 2026 at the Greenville Convention Center.
The Buffalo Motorama will surely be missed, although I’m glad its legacy will live on in Greenville. Maybe someday, someone will come along and fill that void in the western NY car scene like Joe and his family and friends did back in 2011. Until then, I want to express my personal sincere gratitude for all they have done. Thank you for all you’ve done for me, as well as the car community here in Buffalo. Best of luck to you in Greenville!”