Blog

This summer’s Morris Motor Show at Morris Arboretum & Gardens began with a car chase.

“There were three cars that I literally chased down on the street to recruit,” said Steve Gendler, a neighbor and committee volunteer at the Morris. “I chased down a 2023 red Corvette for a couple of miles!”

Image

Gendler organized the show as part of the Garden’s 90th anniversary celebration. It took place Saturday, July 15. The event was inspired by founders John and Lydia Morris's love of cars. They owned a 1912 electric vehicle, a Chrysler that was used on the grounds, and a chauffeur-driven Pierce-Arrow EDL that was special-ordered by Miss Lydia in 1927.

Gendler, a member of the Delaware Valley Jaguar Club, was tasked by F. Otto Haas Executive Director Bill Cullina with finding one car for each of the Morris's nine decades. He got help from DVJC member Michael Wolf and the Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance in sourcing cars.

SPEED AND BEAUTY

Image

The group determined the selections should demonstrate stylistic and technological advances as well as cultural expression for each era. What resulted presented quite a stylistic and performance progression, with the 1929 Packard 640 Phaeton and the 1938 SS Jaguar truly setting a high tone for future generations of automotive design.

There was a range of power, transmission, and speed represented among the gleaming vehicles. The show included a 2008 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti with a top speed of 199 mph, driven to the Morris by Carol Petrow; a 2023 Rivian R1T with 900 horsepower; and a 1954 Corvette brought by DVJC members Bruce and Shelley Menkowitz. True ingenuity and authenticity were on display, from the rich Mark 2 burl walnut interior surround to the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti's sumptuous leather. The car owners were also happy to demonstrate the purr or roar of their vehicles to anyone who asked.

Image

A BEAUTIFUL SUCCESS

The picturesque Azalea Meadow, with its extended vista from where the cars were parked up to majestic trees and sculpture, was suggested by some of the car owners to have tremendous potential for not only a repeat show, but also possibly for a larger concours-type event. Despite temperatures in the 90s, the DVJC members, their families, and show attendees deemed the show a beautiful success!