When you go to an auto show, you just about always know what you are going to see: There will be a chance to look at all of the new models from a lot of different manufacturers.

You’ll have the opportunity to sit inside vehicles you might be considering purchasing — and you’ll have the chance to sit inside vehicles that are a little — or a lot — out of your price range. There also will be customs, classics, exotics to see up close, as well as booths featuring products of after-market suppliers.

For people who like vehicles, it’s a great way to spend several hours.

The concept behind the shows has not really changed a lot since what is considered to be the first auto show opened its doors on Nov. 3, 1900, in Madison Square Garden in New York. The object then was the same as it is today — to allow potential customers to connect with vendors, to see and have a first-hand experience with a product.

A reminder came a couple of week ago when this year’s Pittsburgh International Auto Show was held at the David L Lawrence Convention Center. It’s been a constant on the late-winter calendar for decades, mostly falling on the Valentine’s Day and President’s Day weekends. An exception was in 2007, when a portion of a loading dock collapsed, forcing the exhibition to be moved to the mid-spring.

Unlike bigger shows, the Pittsburgh event is driven by the region’s dealers, and not by the manufacturers themselves. That doesn’t mean there wasn’t a lot to enjoy — all but a few makes were present, which always makes for an interesting show.

Among the most interesting of the vehicles was the Mustang GTD. It’s a street-legal super car that can reach nearly 200 mph, thanks to its 815-horsepower, 5.2 liter supercharged V-8. According to Ford, it’s the fastest production Mustang ever.

It’s also one of the most exclusive — its production run totals about 1,000. The price range started at $325,000. To own one that’s nicely equipped, as the marketers used to say, it will set you back about $500,000.

That GTD drew a lot of attention to the Ford display, and it just appeared as you made your way through the display. That’s one of the beautiful things about an auto show, though: You’ll walk around a corner and find something you never thought would be on the floor.

Like a 1938 show car, a one-of-kind build that looks as fresh and exciting today as it did when Harley J. Earl designed it, had it built and used it as his personal vehicle –the Buick Y-Job.

Considered to be the first of what we now call concept cars, it features incredible lines and included some impressive technology for its time — like hidden headlights, flush door handles, electric windows and a power convertible top concealed by a metal deck.

It’s the type of car that you could look at and think to yourself that it’s a Buick — all the styling cues that would be seen on that brand, plus the other General Motors marques through the late-1950s, are there.

Being able to see it in person is a rare opportunity — it’s usually housed in the GM Heritage Center in Sterling Heights, Mich., the facility that is home to more than 600 carefully curated vehicles that represent the company’s history. While containing an incredible collection, it is not open to the public.

Experiences like the GTD and Y-Job are important to keep auto shows growing. Pittsburgh’s continues to be a steady draw, averaging between 50,000 and 60,000 visitors each year during its four-day run. Some cities aren’t as fortunate –while the Cleveland Auto Show opened Feb. 20 and was expected to attract as many as 114,000 visitors before it ends Sunday, the Columbus auto show has not been held for the last two years.

There had been some concerns about the future of the whole idea of an auto show — there was a period when some major manufacturers had considered the concept to be dated and had chosen to skip most events entirely. A survey conducted by the Clarify Group and released in October reveals some second thoughts might be in order, however.

Its numbers show that 40 percent of auto show visitors surveyed said they intend to buy or lease a new vehicle during the next 12 months, and 68 percent of visitors will be in the market to buy a new car during the next 24 months. The data also showed that 37 percent of visitors attend to help them decide on a new vehicle purchase or lease.

Missing from this year’s Pittsburgh show were the ride-and-drives that offer attendees the chance to experience for themselves the driving and handling characteristics of electric vehicles, for example. As the federal incentives that had been attached to EVs go away, they are far less attractive — but that’s opened the door for the hybrids, which buyers are really gravitating to.

Many things about auto shows have changed through the years — among the most notable is the lack of any literature about the offerings. Not too long ago, you’d be able to fill a tote bag with sales brochures and other items. Most of that stuff is gone, replaced by QR codes that you can scan for further information.

Also gone are the smaller auto shows that once could be found in many parts of the country — that includes Steubenville, where the former Diocesan Community Arena (which has been transformed into the YMCA Wellness Center at the St. John Arena) was the site of annual shows presented by the Lions Club.

Certainly, times and concepts evolve, as technology — in vehicles and in the way they are sold — changes. What is a constant, though, is the experience of being able sit in a vehicle, get the layout of the interior and make an easier comparison among various manufacturers — it’s an experience auto shows offer which just can’t be duplicated.

(Gallabrese, a resident of Steubenville, is executive editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times)