Opening at the Moscone Center on the Thanksgiving holiday, the 55th Annual San Francisco International Auto Show features a comprehensive exhibit of 2013 model cars, SUV's, trucks and vans representing the work of 38 manufacturers. Nearly 800 vehicles in all will be available for inspection. Founded in 1958 by Bay Area import auto dealers who weren't allowed to participate in local domestic car shows, the Imported Car Show proved a popular annual event and was the successful precursor to what is now the San Francisco International Auto Show.

Northern California's premier auto exposition, the auto show lures the world's major manufacturers to bring their most dazzling high-tech displays for the thousands of car buffs who will attend the event. In addition to next year's models, the exhibit features hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, exotic sports cars and classic autos. This year's edition will feature the one of the largest display of classic cars in show history with 30 vehicles presented by the San Francisco's Academy of Art University Museum.

Curated by the University's Industrial Design Department Director Tom Matano, the exhibit will feature such rare and unusual vehicles as a 1930 Duesenberg J Convertible Sedan, a 1930 Isotta-Fraschini Cabriolet, a 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow, a 1933 Packard Twelve Dietrich Dual Cowl Phaeton, a 1934 Cadillac Aero Coupe, a 1953 Jaguar XK 120 SE Roadster, a 1953 Nash-Healey Roadster and 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe. Dominator Street Rods will also have numerous examples of the company’s restoration work. Other special attractions include an area spotlighting alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles featuring Chevrolet's Volt, Fisker's Karma, Ford's C-MAX, Escape and Fusion hybrids, Honda's Civic IMA and Insight hybrids, Nissan's All-Electic LEAF and Toyota's Camry, Highlander and Prius hybrids as well as an exhibit from KleenSpeed.

a presentation by the Ferrari Club of America, and a GEICO display featuring the GEICO NASCAR and the Paul Jr. Designs custom Gecko Motorcycle with a schedule of autograph sessions with GEICO Supercross drivers Wil Hahn and Justin Bogle. The International Auto Show is expected to draw over 400,000 spectators to the Moscone Center, making it the largest exhibition of any kind in the greater Bay Area and the second largest auto show in the western United States. For more information, please visit the Auto Show website.

San Francisco International Auto Show
Thursday-Monday, Nov. 22- 26, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (8 p.m. closing night) $9; children 12 and under free
Moscone Center