Hofstra University’s Motorsport Engineering Club (MEC) debuted its booth at the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob K. Javits Center on Friday, April 3. The club showcased two cars and raised money during the event.
Members raised money at the show by selling several different shirts and promoting future events. They showcased a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer and a 1987 Toyota MR2 to attract guests, many of whom took photos and spoke with club members about the cars.
The main goal for Hofstra MEC is to buy a car of their own so members can perform body work on it. For Hunter Wile, a senior anthropology major and vice president of the club, buying a car is key to the club’s expansion and giving its members hands-on experience.
“We want to raise money and develop a real program with the club to teach our members how to work on cars,” Wile said.
The club started planning for the auto show last November and spent at least three days a week filling out paperwork and making sure everything was ready. The club also had to focus on making a backdrop and producing enough T-shirts to sell. Wile described the process as a “nightmare” to complete.
“We had to get insurance documents and liability coverage for the cars and for us,” said club President Jack McMillan, a junior marketing major. “It’s been non-stop since November.”
They hosted the booth for the duration of the expo – from Friday, April 3, to Sunday, April 12 – on the first level of the Javits Center. Over that nine-day period, they had different members travel back and forth from Hofstra to the Javits Center to represent the table and sell T-shirts.
The auto show has been happening in New York since 1900, making this a historic accomplishment for the club to have a booth. It is ranked among the biggest in the country as well. This year, over 700 cars were showcased along with an electric vehicle test track.
Having a booth at the auto show is a big step for Hofstra MEC, having previously attended as a club but never having hosted a table. Former MEC President and 2025 Hofstra graduate Frankie Saggio said it was a sign of the club’s growth over the years.
“Seeing them have a booth at the auto show is just on another level,” Saggio said.
The Toyota belongs to Saggio. He owns his own body shop where he has previously had the club tour. Saggio had done extensive work on the car and found it to be a fulfilling experience.
The car attracted many visitors and left them impressed, including Nigel Phillips, a photographer and Queens local.
“The pop-up headlights and the engine in the back make it like Toyota’s version of a Ferrari,” Phillips said.
Wile owns the Chevy Blazer and drives it every day. As a gift from his grandfather, he has deep emotional connections to the car and has worked on it regularly alongside his dad. Wile and the rest of the members have a similar connection with the Toyota.
“Most of the members have had some experience with that car,” Wile said.
Saggio remains hopeful that the club will get its own car in the near future, after years of the club trying to buy one.
“The whole idea was to have a space to work on a club project car,” Saggio said. “The outcome would be awesome; I would love to see them go in that direction.”
The club hosts car shows regularly and will be hosting its next one on May 2 in the East Gate Parking Lot. They have secured sponsors and hope for a big turnout to raise funds for the potential car.
