At the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow, the OBLIVION team invites visitors to take a special trip back in time—a blast to the unforgettable automotive culture of the 1980s and 1990s.
Returning to the AutoShow for its third year, OBLIVION has become a true crowd favourite, always delivering a rare and memorable display that celebrates the vehicles and lifestyle of a generation. OBLIVION has been part of Canada’s car culture since hosting its first event in 2018, and its following continues to grow. In addition to their annual southern Ontario event which has been held in a variety of locations, including Ontario Place, a summer camp, a shopping mall, a field trip, and even a wedding, the OBLIVION team’s favourite place to be in the winter is in their immersive room at the Canadian International AutoShow.
The love for all things ’80s and ’90s has never faded. Like many fans, the OBLIVION team grew up in that era, dreaming over posters, magazines and video games—and in many cases, still owning those first beloved cars today. But as time passed, Ontario’s salt powered “rust belt” claimed many of these vehicles, and it became clear how rare they were becoming.
What began as small gatherings evolved into a movement, as enthusiasts recognized a shared sense of nostalgia and a passion for keeping these machines—and the culture surrounding them—alive. With team members each owning multiple ’80s and ’90s vehicles, the group realized traditional “classic car shows” didn’t quite capture (or acknowledge) the spirit of their era. It was time for something new.
The first OBLIVION 80s and 90s Car and Culture Show was held on August 25, 2018, at the Milton Memorial Arena, featuring vehicles, indoor displays, games, food trucks, gourmet pizza, and locally crafted beverages—which was just the beginning for what the annual festival OBLIVION has become today. The OBLIVION Team has set their time circuits to August 9th 2026 for OBLIVION VIII, so stay tuned on their site for details on this year’s main event.
“Our team grew up visiting the AutoShow every year as kids in the 80s and 90’s.” said Justin Sookraj, OBLIVION’s founder, “The cars here were a ray of sunshine through these dark Canadian winters. To be able to continue to return and recreate the excitement we felt back then with the very cars that got our gears turning is something we love to do. From dream cars to the car you had and loved that rusted away into, well, oblivion, we hope everyone finds a little something in our room to take them back to our era – even if they’ve never been there!”
“The OBLIVION team are true Canadian ambassadors for an era of iconic—and now rare—vehicles. We’re thrilled to welcome back to our show floor an eclectic collection of cars that first made their debut right here on our stage in the 1980s and 1990s,” said Jason Campbell, General Manager of the AutoShow.
The 2026 Canadian International AutoShow returns to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from February 13 to 22, 2026. Tickets are now available for purchase online through the AutoShow’s official website and for more show information visit www.autoshow.ca
