Category Archives: MOGSouth Club Posts

This is fall all sorts of posts related specifically to MOGSouth.

23 Oct

2023 MOGSouth Southern Region Fall Noggin – (20-22 Oct) – The Lake Mirror Classic – Lakeland, FL, Report from the Field

24 Morgans were registered for this show and after a few medical emergencies, a logistical mishap and a few technical (?) anomalies, 20 Morgans were displayed on the Concours d’Elegance lawn at the Lake Mirror Classic in Lakeland Florida.  Not only that, but we also had a good many friends from other local British Car Clubs stop by to say Hi and drool, and two MOGSouth members, one without his car (a bit too far), and one who chose to bring Hot Rods to the show in stead (sacrilege?)

Morgans were selected as the featured ‘display’ marque at the show.  We were part of the Concours but not judged.  All of the good things about a Concours, without dealing with the ‘not so good’ things.  We were collocated on the lawn with the other Concours cars and right next to the show’s special exhibit, one of 12 fabulous GM Futurliners! 

The Lake Mirror Classic Concours and Car Show is really 4 car shows in one.  First, there is the Concours d’Elegance, with its ‘by invitation only’ examples of automotive art, second is the highly attended ‘Hot Rod Rendezvous’, an amazing collection or resto-mods and hot rods, third is the ‘Open Car Show’ which has taken over all streets of Lakeland with some 400 cars, and forth we have the action out on the water in Lake Mirror itself, with 6 finely polished Mahogany masterpieces and a half-dozen Amphicars.  There is something for everyone at this show!  That, and the weather was absolutely superb.  Low 80s, almost no humidity, a slight breeze and nary a cloud in the sky.  Absolutely superb!!

Photo Courtesy of Mike Palfreyman

The Morgan entrants, with others attending the Concours, were entertained at the Friday evening VIP reception, complete with disc jockey, dancing and live music, free drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres.  We all got catered lunches on Saturday and a lovely high ball glass with both the Morgan logo and the Lake Mirror Classic logo, as a souvenir.  Very nicely done! 

Photo Courtesy of Mike Palfreyman

Later after the car show, on Saturday evening, we had a MOGSouth group dinner at a highly rated restaurant.  We had a private room for the Morgan folks, and dedicated staff to address all of our needs.  We mostly all walked from the hotel as it was just a few blocks away, something less than a half mile.  Some illustrious types hijacked the hotels golf cart, and some (like me) took a private car.

Then a good number of Morgans (five I think) participated in the Sunday SCCA sanctioned rally.  The rally was a bit of a ‘treasure hunt’ sort of rally combined with a time-speed-distance sort of thing.  Some questions referenced older trivia, so the younger folks were challenged, and some clues were answered on small signs with small(er) lettering, ‘what did that sign say . . . Tiger Lilley Hot Tubs??,’ letting those with better eyes succeed, but all in all, good fun. 

A truly tremendous weekend for the South Region of MOGSouth.  A great turn out of fabulous Morgans, perfect weather and as always, an amazing group of people!!  We are thoroughly exhausted but ready to do it again!!  

Some comments from the membership.

  • ‘MOGSouth event – It was nice to see everyone and their Morgans. The show was great too with many exquisite vehicles.’
  • ‘Lake Mirror – Thanks for organizing a really wonderful weekend!’
  • ‘MOGSouth Lake Mirror Event – What a memorable Morgan weekend – a well-organized event’
  • ‘Lake Mirror – I thoroughly enjoyed getting together with all the MOG South/Gator folks.  Til the next time.’
  • ‘MOGSouth / Lake Mirror – What a great weekend for our Morgan group.  Superbly organized. And the comradery makes Morgan ownership so much better. BTW, whoever picked the dinner location for last night (21 Oct) should get five stars.’

Cheers, Rick and Mark

03 Oct

2023 MOGSouth Southern Region Fall Noggin (20-22 Oct) Lakeland, FL – VIP Reception – Friday 20 Oct – RSVP

Just to be sure things work according to plan. Everyone needs to RSVP for the VIP Reception so they will be on the list and be admitted. Each car owner should have received the invitation via email and they need to click the ‘RSVP’ button.  If there are issues, let me know!!

Cheers, Mark

03 Oct

2023 MOGSouth Southern Region Fall Noggin (20-22 Oct) Lakeland, FL – VIP Reception – Friday 20 Oct

Those bringing Morgans for Display as part of the Lake Mirror Classic Concours are invited (and their guests) to the the Lake Mirror Classic VIP Reception taking place Friday evening, October 20th from 6-9PM at the Magnolia Building overlooking Lake Mirror and France Langford Promenade.

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, etc. Dress is business casual. Live music inside or step outside onto the deck to enjoy all the fun happening below at the Hot Rod Rendezvous. And, a special appearance of the GM Futurliner.

Special guests include the Lake Mirror Classic founder, Ford Heacock III, and the 2023 Grand Marshall, Bill Warner (founder and long time chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, racer. photo journalist and a legend in our hobby.)

28 Sep

2023 MOGSouth Southern Region Holiday Party (6-7 Dec) Ft Lauderdale, FL – Details

This is how the we think the event will come together!!  This Holiday Party will be a bit different from those in the past.  It is really only a one-day event.  Well, a single overnight.  And, that one day (overnight) is a Wednesday, December 6th, 2023.  FYI, a good number of folks indicated that a weekday was preferable to a weekend.  They had other things to do on the weekend!!  So, we are planning this one, in the middle of the week!! 

We will all travel to Fort Lauderdale, FL anyway we want.  Pick a good road, bring the Morgan or bring the tin top.  Your call!  We will check into the event hotel, the Marriott Maritime Hotel, Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port, 2161 Maritime Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, 33312.  You will have to click the link: Book your group rate for Morgan MOGSouth GatorMOG or call (954) 533-7846, Ext. 1008 (Carina Tiepolt) and make your own reservation from our block booking! 

The hotel is nestled in the 25-acre Marina Bay Resort and takes its lifestyle cues from South Florida’s culture of on-the-water recreation. Soaring eight stories at the water’s edge, the boutique hotel’s distinctive architectural sail and sleek, nautically inspired facade make it an unmistakable new landmark among Marina Mile hotels.  It is conveniently located near the confluence of I-95, I-595, I-75, and Route 1, giving us great access from the North, South, and West!

We have a block of rooms reserved on a first come, first served basis.  Our group name is Morgan / GatorMOG / MOGSouth (pick one!!).  Our negotiated block booking rate is $145 per room (single or double) for the night, plus tax.  This rate includes:

  • An upgrade to a Deluxe Marina View Room with Balcony,
  • A $10 Food and Beverage credit that can be used at the Hotel Bar and/or Restaurant,
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi,
  • Complementary parking (usually $15/day), and
  • Complementary early check in on December 6th and late check out on December 7th.

The Maritime Hotel has an electric charging station and allows for overnight trailer parking for guests should anyone want to bring their vehicle by trailer.

That evening, Wednesday, we will convene at the entrance to the hotel and convoy over to the Holiday Party pub, leaving at 06:00PM.  Yes, a pub!  It’s a great location, just a couple of miles from the hotel, with the right sort of ambiance for us.  No white table clothes or fancy wine glasses this time!  We are going to the ‘Field’ Irish Pub and Eatery, 3281 Griffin Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312!!  https://www.thefieldfl.com/ We have a private room (the Nautical Room, I believe) that will be set just for us – with room to expand if things get rowdy!  Folks can order off the menu, eat and drink as they please.  They have great food and beer – no rubber chicken or soupy green bean casserole this year! 

After dinner, there will be a few words of MOGSouth business and then we’re done.  You’ll be free to return to the hotel, party on to live music at The Field, cruise Las Olas in your Morgan, or take a drive along Fort Lauderdale Beach!  Your call! 

On Thursday morning, feel free to take advantage of the hotel’s restaurant for breakfast or visit the excellent Lester’s Diner, 250 W State Rd 84, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 just a mile east, down the same street.  Departure home is on your own.  However, for those who are interested, we will meet outside the hotel at 09:00am on Thursday morning for a real treat!

Special Event:

We have arranged an opportunity to tour a pretty amazing full-service classic and specialty vehicle restoration and coachbuilding business, The Creative Workshop, http://thecreativeworkshop.com/, which is only a couple of miles from the hotel, in Dania Beach.  The Creative Workshop was the subject of the recent Apple TV series, Long Road to Monterey (well worth a watch). The seven episodes of this “behind the scenes” show highlight the ups and downs of what it takes to restore incredibly rare and sought after cars – specifically, a 1966 Coach built Ferrari 330GT Speciale and a 1921 Kissel 6-45 “Gold Bug” Speedster – for some of the most spectacular car events in the world.

At Creative on Thursday morning, we will be met by the Owner, Jason Wenig, who will provide a personal tour of their unique, 80+ year-old historic building that has been fully converted into a comprehensive restoration & coachbuilding facility.  Cars restored and custom coach built by Creative have garnered numerous awards at international, national and local events – such as Pebble Beach, Amelia Island, Villa d’Este, Cavallino, Mille Miglia and many, many more.  Take a look at their website and videos – this is craftsmanship of the highest level. 

Did I mention that Creative’s General Manager, Rodney Keyzer, is a former Morgan Motor Car Dealer from South Africa?!!  This is a unique opportunity and is well worth the visit!  Visiting this facility is optional but highly recommended.  Do tell Mark or Jonathan if you plan to attend the visit so we can alert them to the number of folks to expect.  The visit and tour will take an hour or two and will be over by lunchtime after which you are again on your own to travel home. 

08 Aug

2023 GatorMOG Fall Noggin’ – Lake Mirror Classic (Lakeland FL) Concept of Operations (CONOPS)

GatorMOG’s participation in 2023 Lake Mirror Classic is GatorMOG’s Fall Noggin or activity in 2023.  Morgans are the designated Special Display marque for the event. The event will be held in Lakeland Florida on 20-23 (Friday – Sunday) October in conjunction with the 2023 Lake Mirror Classic. 

The event hotel is The Hyatt Place Lakeland Center at 525 W Orange Str., Lakeland, FL 33815.  Hotel Reservations: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/florida/hyatt-place-lakeland-center/tpazl?corp_id=g-lm23 Once on the website, update the check in date (20 Oct) and the checkout date (21 or 22 Oct) then click BOOK NOW, then select your room type, and complete the reservation.

Alternatively, you can call (1-877-231-2387) to make your reservations but be sure to ask for the Lake Mirror Classic 2023 rate for October 2023.

The event will start with an informal, Friday evening (20 Oct) noggin’ at the Hotel, in the hotel’s lobby bar.  Dinner is on your own.   There are lots of wonderful restaurants in Lakeland. 

On Saturday morning (21 Oct), the GatorMOG participants will relocate with their Morgans to the Lake Mirror Classic show field and take their designated position at the Special Display area.  (Note: there will be a Morgan convoy leaving from the front of the Hotel. Time -TBD) The cars will be laid out by model type and will have specific car placards describing each car, in front of each car’s parking spot.  There will be informational signs, telling the Morgan Motor Company story, as well as other appropriate Morgan car details, intermingled around the car corral.  

You must register for this show.  Show Registration is online.  Use the Lake Mirror Classic website https://lakemirrorclassic.com/ to register.  The Lake Mirror will print a special placard for each car to be placed in front of the cars where they will be displayed and the collection of the data (no more than 400 Characters) for this placard will be gathered during the registration process.  Also, you will be asked for up to 5 photographs of your car.  The Lake Mirror Classic folks will publish an online catalog of cars in the show. 

After the conclusion of the Lake Mirror Classic show, the Morgans will return to the hotel or go directly to the designated dinner restaurant, Frescoes, in downtown Lakeland.  GatorMOG will have a group dinner at Frescoes Southern Kitchen and Bar, 132 South Kentucky Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33801 at 6:30PM Saturday (21 Oct) evening. (FYI. The Restaurant is about 0.5 miles from the Hyatt hotel.  So, leave your car at the hotel, if you can.)  After dinner the Morgans will return to the hotel. 

Several individuals have indicated a desire to participate in the Lake Mirror Classic rallye on Sunday (22 Oct) morning.  There is no formal GatorMOG organization for this rallye so those interested in participating are on their own.  Those that do not participate in the rallye can travel home or do wherever.  It is their call!   

There are already some 20 Morgans registered.  Be sure you send an email to Mark so that he can maintain a headcount for the show and the restaurants. See you there!!  

Rick and Mark

14 Jul

Pre – Labor Day Lunch – Ya Gotta Eat . . . Right??

Pre – Labor Day Weekend – Gator Mog Lunch

Thursday August 31 (1130 AM) Oceanside Beach Bar & Grill, 1848 S Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL, 32136

Chuck and Karen Bernath have organized it all. Morgans or no Morgans! August is typically rainy in Florida but don’t let the weather put you off. Just come in what ever makes sense!

The Oceanside Grill should be a fun drive whether you drive from Fernandina, Ponte Vedra, The Villages, or Orlando and south.

Wear your hard hat (Labor Day – Get it??) and we hope to see you at Oceanside Grill, Flagler Beach.

Let Karen know if you are coming or not. email her at Bhilda44@gmail.com or call (text) at 904-386-3001

11 Jun

Road Rally Details (22 Oct 2023) – The 2023 GatorMOG Fall Noggin (20 – 22 Oct, Lakeland, FL)

SUNDAY ROAD RALLY (An SCCA Sanctioned Event) -35$ pp – ‘The Road Rally is NOT A RACE.’

Car viewing starts 8am – Rally starts 9am

To Register for the Road Rally – Go to Rally Registration Link

Per the Lake Mirror Web Site: ‘This is a fun way to wrap up your 3-day Lake Mirror Classic weekend.  The emphasis of the Road Rally is on “fun.”   Create memories and spend time with friends and make new ones.  The event encourages fun and challenges your senses to follow the clues provided.  You will also see some of the most beautiful and scenic roads in Central Florida.‘

Past participants includes world renowned & hall of fame race car drivers and this year’s Rally will include a good number of Morgans and GatorMOG Members!!

‘The word “fun” is not overused in describing the road rally.  At the end, everyone shares stories of their adventure with plenty of laughs over lunch in a laid-back atmosphere.  Some very nice prizes are also awarded to wrap up the event.’     

29 May

Updates for the The 2023 GatorMOG Fall Noggin (20 – 22 Oct, Lakeland, FL)

Note: We are calling this a GatorMOG event, but really anyone in MOGSouth is more than welcome!

Registration and hotel reservations are now available on line.

Background Info – Morgan has been selected as the Special Display Marque for the 2023 Lake Mirror Classic Concours d’Elegance.  https://lakemirrorcarshow.com/about-the-lake-mirror-car-show/

Saturday (21 Oct) is the day of the Concours, the day of the Futurliner and the day for the GatorMOG Morgan Car Display. 

Meet Hotel:  The meet hotel is the Hyatt Place Lakeland Center, 525 West Orange Street, Lakeland, Florida, United States, 33815 (Telephone: 863-413-1122)  Hotels in Lakeland FL | Hyatt Place Lakeland Center.  We are using one of the Lake Mirror Classic Hotels as our meet hotel.  A discounted room rate of $169 plus tax has already been negotiated so be sure to use the link below to your reservations.  This rate includes breakfast, parking, Studio Suites, and Wi Fi. 

Reservations: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/florida/hyatt-place-lakeland-center/tpazl?corp_id=g-lm23 Once on the website, update the check in date (20 Oct) and the check out date (21 or 22 Oct) then click BOOK NOW, then select your room type, and complete the reservation.

Alternatively, you can call (1-877-231-2387) to make your reservations but be sure to ask for the Lake Mirror Classic 2023 rate for October 2023.

Registration for the Show and the Show Placard: You must register for this show and registration is all online.  Use the Lake Mirror Classic Concours d’Elegance website https://lakemirrorclassic.com/ to register.  The Lake Mirror Concours d’Elegance will print a special placard for each car to be placed in front of the cars where they will be displayed and the collection of the data (no more than 450 Characters) for this placard will be gathered during the registration process.  Also, you will be asked for up to 5 photographs of your car.  The Lake Mirror Classic folks with publish an online catalog of cars in the show.  

The iconic Futurliner will be on display 21 Oct, 2023.  Same day as the Morgan display!! 

The 2023 GatorMOG Fall Noggin schedule:

Friday 20 October 2023

Friday evening Noggin – The Friday event Noggin will be at the lobby bar in the meet hotel’ lobby starting at 4:30PM. This is early enough for folks to check in, say Hi! and then go off to do whatever, perhaps see the cars at the Hot Rod Rendezvous (5:30PM-9PM) , etc.  FYI, The Hot Rendezvous will be within walking distance of the hotel. The Noggin will end whenever everyone goes away. 

Friday dinner is on your own.  There are a number of good restaurants downtown Lakeland.  Ask the Hotel Front Desk for recommendations if desired. 

Saturday 21 October 2023

Saturday Breakfast:  Hotel

Saturday is the day for the GatorMOG Morgan Car Display alongside of the Lake Mirror Concours d’Elegance.  Times for departure from the hotel and for arrival to the show field will be communicated once we know the specifics.  (Less than a mile from the hotel.)  Make sure you have a fire extinguisher for your Morgan, it’s a show requirement.

Saturday Lunch:  The Lake Mirror Classic Concours will provide Lunch to the Morgan Display Participants.  

Saturday Dinner:  GatorMOG will have a group dinner at Frescoes Southern Kitchen and Bar, 132 South Kentucky Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33801 at 6:30PM (Note Time Change – 30 minutes earlier than previously communicated) on Saturday evening.   The Restaurant is 0.5 miles from the Hyatt hotel.  Leave your car at the hotel or take your chances with parking downtown.

Sunday 22 October 2023

Sunday Breakfast:  Hotel

Sunday is reserved for those wishing to participate in the Lake Mirror Classic Road Rally (see below) or depart for home.

This entire weekend is likely to be a car lovers paradise!  So be sure to bring your camera.

On Friday evening 20 October 2023 there is a Hot Rod Rendezvous (5:30PM-9PM) – a show for all Hot Rods – Trucks or Cars or whatever! 

Saturday 21 October 2023 (10AM-3PM) is the Concours d’Elegance (select cars by invitation only) and the Open Car Show (any and all cars are allowed!). 

As in the past, during the Concours d’Elegance, the Lake itself will host classic mahogany boats and Amphicars, etc.  Worth seeing!!   

Sunday 22 October 2023 there is a Road Rally.  I don’t have much information on theRally as yet so watch the Lake Mirror Classic web site (and this web site) for updates.

If you have questions call or email Mark.  See you in Lakeland FL in October!! 

Cheers,

Mark