The British Car Club of Central Florida held their 38^th annual All British Car Show on Saturday, 1 April 2023.  Some 200 british cars were highly detailed and displayed for well over 500 spectators.  It was held at Henry’s Depot, the old town train station, right downtown Sanford, FL.  Sanford is really just a bedroom community for Orlando Florida however it was once the Celery capital of the world?  Or at least that is what they claim.  Also on Saturday was the weekly farmer’s market and it was an easy walk from the car show.  Proximity to the downtown shops and quaint boutiques makes this a great location for a car show! 

Morgans were there in force.  There were 16 Morgans preregistered and then the Daytona Morgan Dealer, Christopher John, LTD, brought in a few more.  So lots of Morgans.  We had everything except a trike and an Aero.  Folks came from all over Florida and some from further afield. 

Interesting, for me anyway, was the fact that my old 4/4, a car I sold some 10-15 years ago, was back in Florida and on the show field.  My jaw dropped when I saw it and I had a nice chat with the latest owner.  I may still have bits and bobs for that car in my garage? 

A Morgan even won best of show (my Series 1 DHC prototype.)  I disagree with the selection (but I am not giving back the lovely Best of Show trophy.  I already have a perfect spot for it in the garage!)  There were a good number of absolutely gorgeous cars on the field, and some with serious provenance.  I am truly humbled by the selection. 

The meet hotel was the Comfort Inn and the club held its Meet and Greet, at the hotel, on Friday night.  MOGSouth members, Les and Joan Neumann, were the hosts and made sure everyone was quite welcome!  Job well done!!

Cheers,

Mark

The Comfort Inn Sanford located at 590 Ava Court; Sanford FL 32772 has been selected as the Host Hotel for the 38th Annual Central Florida All British Car Show!

• Lots of free parking for cars and trailers
• Many restaurants within walking or short driving distance
• A short drive to the show field on Saturday
• Hospitality suite for socializing
• Buffet breakfast

Rates:

• Room with either 2 Queen beds or King bed; $159.00 +tax per night. Make your reservation by 3/16/2023 to get this special rate!

Show is on Saturday so plan to arrive Friday, March 31, 2023 and depart on Sunday April 2, 2023, To Make Reservations Call the Comfort Inn Sanford @ 407-585-1580, Use Code: British Car Show Block

We’re looking forward to seeing you in April for what should be a wonderful event!

Lois Slavin and Mike Palfreyman organized and hosted GatorMOG in St Petersburg, FL on 4-6 February 2023.  St Petersburg Yacht Club (SPYC) Motor Classic is an all marque car show held along the water adjacent to the Yacht Club.  They chose Morgan as the featured marque in 2023, after some prodding by Lois and Mike. 

GatorMOG, with a little help from the greater MOGSouth membership showed up in force.  We had 21 Morgan cars on the field for judging.  A few medical and mechanical mishaps precluded us from having more!  Augmenting the expected Florida GatorMOG Morgans were cars from Ohio, Alabama, and Georgia. 

Even the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum brought out their 1930 Morgan Aero three wheeler to join us. A big thank you to all that participated!  I am sure you would agree it was a great show and a great Morgan display!  

The weekend started with a fully catered affair and cocktail party Friday evening at our hosts 5^th floor penthouse overlooking Tampa Bay.  The edible offerings were tremendous with all sorts of wonderful hors d’oeuvres . . . crab cakes and wontons and other enticements.  And the view of the bay was simply mesmerizing!!  Forecasts of dire weather seemed to wane as the weekend went along.  It was rumored that a SPYC member even went so far as to bring in a Chinese ‘weather balloon’ to influence the weather. 

The Meet Hotel(s) (the Hollander and the Avalon) were accommodating albeit a bit quirky.  The restaurant was good and the bar better.  They seemed quite crowded all weekend (must be popular?) and they were certainly convenient to the show field! 

Morgan award winners included Brian and Rosie Miller, Keith Kasen and Rick and Sam Frazee.  Lovely cars and awards well deserved!  Congrats!!

Also, we’d like to congratulate the SPYC and its new Motor Classic Chairman Andy Evans for a very successful show!  The car count was something over 225 cars of all types – Vintage, Modern, European and American.  Thank you to all the SPYC volunteers who were there with a smile and always ready to help.

And of course, a huge thanks to Lois Slavin and her husband Mike Palfreyman for hosting this wonderful Morgan gathering!  Without Lois’s original idea for the Morgan class at the show and hard work to keep the information flowing there would not have been a Morgan class.  Again, thank you!

An amazing weekend and a wonderful show.  This was a MOGSouth and GatorMog event that will be hard to beat! 

Rick Frazee and Mark Braunstein

We have begun our converstations with the HHI Concours Car Club Showcase folks about the details and not everything looks like it will work out.

Not to worry though, should we prevail or should things change, we will let you know what the results are in plenty of time to plan out your calendar.

My bad, I spoke too soon about this. I was excited but now things are questionable.

3-5 November 2023

Hilton Head Island Car Club Showcase – Saturday, November 4, 2023

Port Royal Golf Club, HHI SC

MOGSouth has been invited to participate in the HHI Concours Car Club Showcase on November 4^th 2023!

Given the wonderful location and the prestige of being associated with the HHI Concours, we decided to organize our 2023 Fall Meet (3-5 November 2023) around this invitation! 

Only a select number of invited car clubs fill the show fields.  And rest assured this is definitely not your typical cars and coffee-style event!  A limited number of cars will fill the 1st and 18th fairways of the Port Royal Golf Club’s Planters Row golf course and compete for top awards.

Details addressing the schedule of events, meet hotels(s), restaurants and other related information will be communicated and / or posted on the MOGSouth web site and Face Book sites when available.  Watch this spot!!

There are significant changes to times and locations so read carefully!

Changes to the Saturday 4 February Reception:

• It is now earlier 4:30 – 6:00pm

• The Reception, hosted by Mike Palfreyman and Lois Slavin, will now be at the ShoreCrest Condominiums, 1200 North Shore Drive NE, Community Room, 6th Floor, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

• Parking is available on a first-come, first served basis in the lot across the street.  On-street parking is available on 13th Ave NE and on Beach Dr. NE.

• Use intercom for Slavin/Palfreyman for access.

• Please send an email to lois.slavin2015@gmail.com to RSVP. 

Other Updates From the Organizers:

As of today we have 21 Morgans Listed, I am sure it will be a great show. Here is a few updates to help your arrival. I understand there are events that are planned by the Morgan Owner Club representatives, but in regard to St Petersburg Yacht Club and the Show you have all been granted VIP access on the day, which allows you to the upper deck level overlooking the park and waterfront. There you can relax and have coffee, use the private bathrooms and the Tiki Bar will be open enabling you to purchase drinks (credit cards accepted). 

• Parking: I have arranged with the Club (SPYC) to provide parking in our multi-story garage. For most of the time there will be a valet on hand to direct you, it is possible that some days not all cars will be parked in one location. We would most likely issue some form of parking permit, but I think they will know who your are. The garage doors are locked at night and we have 24hr security.

• The Valet entrance is located at 11 Central Ave, St Petersburg, 33701 But it is unlikely some of the entrants will use valet. So to self park the garage entrance is on Beach Drive SE and Corner of First Ave NE (cordinates 27.77207° N, 82.63317° W)

• Those who are bringing trailers: On the Day of Show,(Sunday) trailers and tow vehicles can be parked for a small fee at the Al Lang Stadium parking lot immediately south of the Club, entrance off 1st Ave SE.

• Those arriving earlier or with larger vehicles: City’s Port Director has confirmed  participants would be allowed to utilize the secured parking lot at the Port.  250 8th Ave SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. There will likely be some nominal charge for the parking, but I do think this would be preferred to an unattended lot elsewhere in the area.  They can coordinate their arrival/departure plan with Joan McGowan by calling (727) 639-5762.  She is aware of the request and will be expecting their call. CALL NOW

• Day of Show Timing: Load-in of vehicles begins at 7:30 am. Cars will proceed from the garage south to Central Ave, turning left, then left onto Bayshore Dr NE, this road is closed Southbound, so you will be directed up this road to the vehicle reception ramp and sign-in, there you will be escorted to the designated parking position. These details should be on you final documents.

Morgans are the featured Marque

Please send an email to lois.slavin2015@gmail.com to confirm attendance.

Tentative Schedule

Friday, February 3rd, 2023

• 4:00pm: Check in to The Hollander, The Avalon, or your hotel of choice
• 6:00pm: Drinks and dinner at The Hollander

Saturday, February 4th 2023

• On your own to enjoy world-class exhibits at the Sunken Gardens, Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement (diagonally across the street from the hotels), The Dali.
• The James Museum of Western Art, Imagine Museum, Chihuly Collection, and more. Stroll along Tampa Bay in world-class parks. Check out a broad array of things to do!
• 6:00pm – 8:00pm: Reception at the St. Petersburg home of Mike Palfreyman and Lois Slavin (206 14^th Ave NE, St Petersburg, FL 33701 – (978) 884-4861.  Please send an email to lois.slavin2015@gmail.com to confirm attendance.

Sunday, February 5th, 2023

• Breakfast on your own
• SPYC Classic Car Show
• 8:00am – 10:30am: Arrival and staging
• 2:00pm – 3:30pm Awards Ceremony

Hotel Reservations

Special discounts have been arranged the nights of Feb. 3, 4, and 5 for GatorMOG and MOGSouth members. Please visit the following websites to learn more about the hotels, then call the phone # indicated.

You MUST CALL and identify yourself as a Morgan Car Club – GatorMOG or MOGSouth Member. The reservationist will then provide you with a quote that includes the Group discount.

• The Avalon Hotel, (727) 317-5508
• The Hollander Hotel, (pet-friendly) 727-873-7900

 Car Show Registration

As the featured Marque, the Show organizers need us to register as soon as possible.  Do it now!  They must understand how big our group will be as it affects other things at the show. 

Registration is easy, go to the link https://registernow.regfox.com/2023-st-petersburg-motor-classic-spmc

Note:  Normally the show is restricted to vehicles that are 1980 or older.  Morgans are exempt from this restriction.  Morgans must preregister – Day of Show Entries are not Guaranteed to be Located with the other Morgans. This year Morgans of all ages are the Featured Marque Group 000, please enter in that category.