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Larz Anderson Auto Museum
Gazette
Vol. 1, No. 3 — July 2015
2015 Lawn Events
Sun., July 12 — Microcar Classic, 12-4pm
Sun., July 19 — Miata Day, 10am-2pm
Sun., July 26 — Day of Triumph, 10am-2pm
Sun., Aug. 2 — Tutto Italiano, 10am-2pm
Sun., Aug. 9 — BMW CCA Day, 9am-2pm
Sat., Aug. 15 — MG Day/British Car Day,
10am-2pm
Sun., Aug. 16 — American Car & Truck Day,
10am-2pm
Sun., Aug. 23 — Swedish Car Day, 10am-2pm
Sun., Aug. 30 — Ford Lincoln Mercury Day,
10am-2pm
Sat., Sept. 12 — Porsche Day, 9am-3pm
Sun., Sept. 13 — European Motorcycle Day,
10am-2pm
Sun., Sept. 27 — Mercedes Day, 10am-3pm
Sat., Oct. 10 — German Car Day, 10am-2pm
Sun., Oct. 11 — Transporterfest, 9:30am3:30pm
Sat., Oct. 17 — Tutto Lite, 10am-2pm
Sun., Oct. 18 — Japanese Car Day, 10am2pm
Sat., Oct. 24 — Extinct Car Day, 10am-2pm
Sun., Oct. 25 — Studebaker Day, 10am-3pm
AACA Day brings out the
classics, if not the sun!
by Richard A. DeVito, Sr.
AACA Day is a new addition to our Lawn Events this year, and 30 very
hearty souls brought their cars to Larz Anderson under less than ideal weather
conditions for the inaugural gathering on Sunday, May 17.
AACA Day is sponsored by the Bean Pot Region of the Antique Automobile
Club of America (visit them at http://www.beanpotaaca.com).
We hope they’ll all be back next year with many more members. They’ve
already scheduled for 2016. We promise sunnier skies that day. More extreme weather was in store for subsequent weekends, with soggy
field conditions requiring the Museum to call things off.
See inside. Photos by Brandon Davis
Meet the members of LAAM
Natalie Harrington
by Phil Velez
Natalie and her two rides.
This issue we’re proud to announce
our first female member spotlight! Natalie Harrington’s passion for
cars started with her father, an artist
who filled her house while growing up
with images of classic American cars. Her grandmother was another
source of automotive passion — even
now when they talk, the topic invari-
Larz Anderson Auto Museum
Gazette
Monthly May through October
Bimonthly November through April
Contributors to this issue:
Richard A. De Vito, Sr.
Jennifer Arone • Sheldon Steele
Rande Bellman • Faith Lamprey
Margie Cahn
John Christoforo
Andrew Newton
Phil Velez
Bruce Vild
Joshua Sweeney, photographer
SFD-Shoot For Details
All photos courtesy of our contributors
unless otherwise credited
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ably leads to cars. Natalie’s first car, an ’89 Acura
Legend, was inherited from her grandfather. Even though it was nearly 20
years old, she loved it. “It might as well have been a Ferrari,” she says, “for the number of envious stares I imagined were cast my
way!”
Natalie now drives a Mini Cooper
S, and rides an ’82 GS450. She recently attended the Amelia Island Concours
d’Elegance, where she got a ride in an
Aston Martin DBR1 (she’s still looking
for a picture to prove it!). Keep an eye out for Natalie this
summer, zipping through traffic in her
Mini or riding the GS.
More on AACA Day
Owners and cars singled out for awards at AACA Day included...
Best of Show: Brian Page, 1937 Ford Tudor.
East Boston Savings Bank Sponsor Award: Larry Nisenberg, 1957
Pontiac Safari.
LAAM Award: Ed Green, 1959 Chevrolet El Camino (pictured below).
June Lawn Events
Corvettes everywhere!
by Richard A. DeVito, Sr.
One hundred fifty-four Corvettes
descended on the lawn of Larz Anderson Museum on June 14. The National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS), New England
Chapter, sponsored Corvette Day. The
NCRS is the national club for Corvette
owners.
The NCRS was started in the early ’60s on a turkey farm in California
by Ed Thieboud, a man who liked to
collect airplanes and early Corvettes. From there, like most clubs, it had a
circuitous growth, moving on to seven
guys in Indiana who formed the underpinnings of the current club. More than 150 Corvettes showed their
stuff at Larz under a flawless sky,
In 1974, the club had about 100
including (left) Carl Higginson’s 1967
members. There were 154 cars shown
Convertible, as Dick Capello looks on.
this year at the New England Chapter’s
Larz Anderson Day. You can guess
what happened between 1974 and today. We’re glad to have them here
every year and hope they continue to
grow and flourish.
Winner of the Larz Anderson Museum Award at Corvette Day was Ara
Gechijian for his 1954 Plasticon Bub- Ara Gechijian and his fabulous 1954 Bubbletop won the admiration of all who attended
bletop. — and the coveted LAAM Award. Left to right: Dick Capello (NCRS), Glenda Fischer
Ara, who has been a member of (NCRS), Jenn Arone (LAAM Lawn Event Manager) and Ara.
the Museum for 40 years, said his car
was purchased from Barrett Jackson in
Palm Beach, Florida, a couple months
ago. The car is an automatic transmission-equipped, red-and-white-interior
survivor. Only nine of these Bubbletops were made and this is one of only
three left.
Ara said, “I’ve been to the Museum
for events over the last 20-plus years
and have NEVER been disappointed
with anything they have put on. We are
soooo fortunate to have this beautiful
Museum under our noses and run by a
great bunch of people.”
We’re glad to have such members! 3
June Lawn Events
British weather for British Car Day!
It was like a day in Old Blighty. Rain on Sunday, June
28, forced cancellation of British Car Day. Though the Museum’s calendar is very tight with both
Lawn Events and Private Functions, we did everything within our power to find a suitable later date to reschedule this
event. The Bay State MGA Club was gracious enough to accommodate us, and will combine British Car Day with their
own event, MG Day. The date is Saturday, August 15.
The Museum staff apologizes for any inconvenience the
heavy weather and the late cancellation notice caused those
British car owners who brought their classics to the Museum
on June 28. Please know we appreciate the effort and support, which is why we worked so hard to get a new date for
British Car Day.
The word got out late to these lads, who kept a stiff upper lip
under washout conditions!
Photos courtesy Tom Curran
Stay tuned for bulletins and updates in the Gazette and
on our website. As always, pre-registrations for those rained
out will be honored for any rescheduled event.
We hope to see you and your favorite British car on
August 15. Cheerio!
Wow. What a double header.
Due to inclement weather, German
Car Day was postponed, too!
The new date for British Car Day (combined
with MG Day) is Saturday, August 15, 2015
— 10am to 2pm
The new date for German Car Day is
Sunday, October 10, 2015 — 10am to 2pm
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The Anderson Cars
The 1901 Winton Bullet
by John Christoforo
The third car in the Anderson collection was their second Winton.
Isabel and Larz Anderson were so
enamored with their 1899 Winton that
in 1901 they decided to add the latest
Winton model, called “the Bullet,” to
their collection. I have discussed this
automobile with several aficionados
and most are in agreement that the 40horsepower 1901 Winton is the vehicle
that ended the Conestoga wagon era. This era included the proverbial horseless carriage. To many of us, this is the
transitional machine that ushered in the
era of the automobile. When the Andersons decided to
purchase the 1901 Winton, they already had in their possession the 1899
version and a 1900 Rochet-Schneider. Their new vehicle, as indicated above,
had 40 horsepower. Its two-cylinder
gasoline engine was basically offered
to the public as the power source for a
race car. Only four were produced, and
the last surviving example is in the Anderson collection located at LAAM.
Winton automobiles, in the early
years, were entered in many races to
test their strengths and determine any
weaknesses. In 1901, Alexander Winton raced his Bullet against Ford’s latest car, called the “Sweepstakes Ford.” The race lasted ten laps, and it proved
that the Ford was a faster car. Larz Anderson actually raced his
1901 Winton in the first event held by
the Massachusetts Auto Club in 1901. Sorry, I don’t have any facts on the out-
come of that race.
Winton was so upset over losing
to Henry Ford that he redesigned the
engine of his racer. In 1902, it set an
unofficial land speed record of 70 miles
per hour. Again, in competition against
a Ford entry (called “Old 999”), the
Winton Bullet was defeated — possibly due to the ability of the Ford driver,
the most famous racer from the early
days of the sport, Barney Oldfield. The defeat inspired Alexander
Winton to make more improvements
on his automobile’s engine and, as a result, he set a speed record of 53 miles
per hour.
Not satisfied with this, in his quest
(Continued on page 10)
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Cars and Coffee
Cars and Coffee was created for car enthusiasts to meet up early
on a Saturday morning. They’d grab coffee, talk cars and by 11am
they’d be gone.
We have started our own tradition here at the Larz Anderson Auto
Museum. The Museum opens early at 8am on designated Saturdays
for your viewing. Grab a coffee and a snack and check out some of
the Boston area’s best cars.
Cars and Coffee is sponsored by Merrill Lynch Global Wealth
Management – The Keeney Group and Yuppieracing.net. This event is
free, but we encourage attendees to become Museum members!
The next Cars and Coffees are:
Saturday, July 18, 2015, 8-11am
Saturday, August 22, 2015, 8-11am
Here are some of the cars owned by the attendees of LAAM’s
Cars and Coffee. Maybe yours...?
Photos by AC Photography
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Upcoming Lawn Events
Sunday, July 12: MICROCAR CLASSIC EVENT
The Microcar Classic Event is one of the most unusual and memorable Lawn Events on our calendar. Hosted
by the Museum and sponsored by the Gould Family, the
show will feature rides for the kids (with parents’ approval,
of course) in fun cars like classic Fiats, Messerschmitts,
Crosleys, Citroëns, Minis and many others.
The show starts at 12 noon and runs until 4pm. If you
would like to register a car, visit the Microcar Classic Event
website at www.bubbledrome.com or telephone Charles
Gould at (617) 965-4848.
Spectator admission is adults, $10; military, seniors,
students and children 6-12, $5; and children under 6 are
free. Museum members are always free! The Museum is open for your viewing until 4 pm. Lunch
will be available on site for purchase.
Sunday, July 19: MIATA DAY
Miata Day is the most colorful show of the whole Lawn
Event Season! Only on Miata Day is the Great Lawn speckled with cars painted every shade under the sun! Miata Day
is sponsored by the Mass Miata Club.
The show starts at 10am and runs until 2pm. Car
registration is $15 per car and includes the driver and one
passenger.
Spectator admission is adults, $10; military, seniors,
students and children 6-12, $5; and children under 6 are
free. Museum members are always free! The Museum is open for your viewing until 4pm. Lunch
will be available on site for purchase.
Sunday, July 26: DAY OF TRIUMPH
Day of Triumph is a British-themed show highlighting
Triumphs. The show is sponsored by the New England
Triumphs.
The show starts at 10am and runs until 2pm. Car
registration is $20 per car and includes the driver and one
passenger.
Spectator admission is adults, $10; military, seniors,
students and children 6-12, $5; and children under 6 are
free. Museum members are always free! The Museum is open for your viewing until 4pm. Lunch
will be available on site for purchase.
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Upcoming Lawn Events
Sunday, August 2: TUTTO ITALIANO
Tutto Italiano is coming! Bring your Italian car, motorcycle or just your love for Italian design.
Tutto Italiano is a family friendly event, featuring activities
such as face painting for the kids. In addition to all the beautiful
automobiles and motorcycles, there will be music, food and
various vendors on site.
This is a judged event. If you wish to have your car judged, just follow instructions inside your car registration packet on the
event day.
The show starts at 10am and runs until 2pm. There is a preregistration discount of $5 if you pre-register online. Day of show,
registration is $35 for cars and $10 for motorcycles.
Spectator admission is adults, $10; military, seniors, students
and children 6-12, $5; and children under 6 are free. Museum
members are always free! The Museum is open for your viewing until 4pm. Lunch will
be available on site for purchase.
Photo by Stephen Masiello
Sunday, August 9: BMW CCA DAY
At BMW CCA Day, come witness the history and evolution of
one of Germany’s most celebrated marques: BMW. Any vehicle
from the Bavarian carmaker’s long and storied past is welcome
at this increasingly popular show. From classic 2002s to modern
M-cars, all manner of Bimmers will fill up the lawn, providing the
sights and sounds of German engineering.
The show starts at 9am and runs until 2pm. It is sponsored
by the Boston Chapter BMW CCA. Judged Car registration is
$30 per car, and Display Only (not judged) is $20. This includes
the driver and one passenger.
Spectator admission is adults, $10; military, seniors, students
and children 6-12, $5; and children under 6 are free. Museum
members are always free! The Museum is open for your viewing until 4pm. Lunch will
be available on site for purchase.
If you are trailering a vehicle to a Lawn Event...
Please be advised there is absolutely NO trailer parking within the grounds of
Larz Anderson Park. There is also no overnight parking available. You MUST park your trailer
outside of the park grounds. Parking spots within the park are limited to Park Visitors and
Museum Guests. Unauthorized trailers will be asked via PA or DJ to move or be towed.
For more information or questions about lawn events, please call the
Lawn Event Manager at 617-522-6547 x13 or email
lawnevents@larzanderson.org.
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Upcoming Lawn Events
Saturday, August 15: MG DAY/BRITISH CAR DAY
The cars from Morris Garages have been instrumental in
making the British sports car popular. With rain having canceled
British Car Day, why not take the opportunity to combine that
event with MG Day in a car show devoted to all things British?
MG Day/British Car Day starts at 10am and runs until 2pm.
It is sponsored by the Bay State MGA Club and the Museum.
Car registration is $20 per car.
Spectator admission is adults, $10; military, seniors, students
and children 6-12, $5; and children under 6 are free. Museum
members are always free! The Museum is open for your viewing until 4pm. Lunch will
be available on site for purchase.
Sunday, August 16: AMERICAN CAR & TRUCK DAY
American Car & Truck Day is a patriotic-themed car show
dedicated to the American automobile. It is the third Museum
show of the season and all proceeds benefit the Museum. Show
entrants and spectators are encouraged to wear red, white and
blue. All military are FREE!
The show starts at 10am and runs until 2pm. Car registration is $20 per car and includes the driver and one passenger. If
you pre-register, the fee is reduced to $15 per car.
Spectator admission is adults, $10; seniors, students and
children 6-12, $5; and children under 6 are free. Museum members are always free! The Museum is open for your viewing until 4pm. Lunch will
be available on site for purchase.
Saturday, August 23: SWEDISH CAR DAY
Swedish cars have rightfully earned a stellar reputation for
ruggedness, quality and dependability. That means there are
plenty of classic Swedish cars still out there and, luckily for us,
many of these neat old Saabs and Volvos will fill up the Great
Lawn for this Scandinavian sensation.
Swedish Car Day, sponsored by Boston Volvo, starts at
10am and runs until 2pm. Car registration is $20 per car and
includes the driver and one passenger.
Spectator admission is adults, $10; military, seniors, students
and children 6-12, $5; and children under 6 are free. Museum
members are always free! The Museum is open for your viewing until 4pm. Lunch will
be available on site for purchase.
No pre-registration available for this show. Please register at the tent day of show.
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Upcoming Lawn Events
Sunday, August 30: FORD-LINCOLN-MERCURY DAY
Ford Motor Company has been an indispensable facet of
the automotive world almost since the beginning. Any car from
this most famous of carmakers, from Model T to Mustang or from
Continental to Cougar, is welcome at this year’s Ford-LincolnMercury Day.
The show starts at 10am and runs until 2pm. Car registration is $20 per car and includes the driver and one passenger. If
you pre-register, the fee is reduced to $15 per car.
Spectator admission is adults, $10; seniors, students and
children 6-12, $5; and children under 6 are free. Museum members are always free! The Museum is open for your viewing until 4pm. Lunch will
be available on site for purchase.
Sunday, September 12: PORSCHE DAY
Porsche has been synonymous with high quality, clever
engineering, and impressive performance for over sixty years. In
that time, the German company has produced some of the most
amazing sports and racing cars the world has ever seen.
Air-cooled or water-cooled, front-engine or rear-engine,
all kinds of Porsches will be on the lawn for your enjoyment at
Porsche Day, which is being sponsored by the PCA Northeast
Chapter.
The show starts at 9am and runs until 2pm. Car registration
is $10 in advance and $30 day of show and will include one driver
and one passenger.
Spectator admission is adults, $10; seniors, students and
children 6-12, $5; and children under 6 are free. Museum members are always free! The Museum is open for your viewing until 4pm. Lunch will
be available on site for purchase.
The Anderson Cars (Continued from page 5)
for competition in racing, Winton developed a new powerplant. It had a 492
cubic inch, four-cylinder engine that
produced 57 horsepower. This vehicle
proved itself by racing at speeds that
surpassed 70 miles per hour. The average of numerous races was 55.3 miles
per hour.
Winton’s next creation was a single-seater that had the engine mounted
10
in the front, powering the rear wheels. The twelve-spoke wooden wheels were
held in place by a single bolt and the
steering was operated by a steering
wheel, not a tiller.
The Winton Motor Carriage Company would produce cars until 1924. After that point they manufactured marine and stationary gas engines. However, in the early 20th century, Winton
made his mark on a new industry, and
for a while was called the “King of
Cars.”
Publicity generated sales in 1901
due to the speed records the Winton
cars set. It didn’t hurt that the cars
were purchased by three well-known
American businessmen: Reginald Vanderbilt, Alfred Vanderbilt — and Larz
Anderson.
Above: LAAM’s current exhibit, “Beauty of the Beast,” celebrates the motorcycle and traces its development from the earliest motorized
bicycles to the latest café racers. Come see this magnificent collection if you haven’t already. It runs through May 2016. Below left: A
rare Pierce Arrow that you’ll see in the exhibit. Below right: British cars — built in the rain to withstand it! This lonesome Jaguar was
seen at last month’s rained-out British Car Day, but we expect to see many more of them at the Lawn Event on August 15.
The Larz Anderson Auto Museum:
Get to Know Us
President: John Carberry
Directors/Executive Committee: Joseph Freeman, Richard A. DeVito, Sr., John
Darack, Michael Gaetano, Robert Lawrence, Susana Weber, Les Cavicchi, Denis
Bustin
Museum Staff: Museum phone number - (617) 522-6547
Executive Director - Sheldon Steele, director@larzanderson.org, Ext. 19
Member Services Manager/Operations Manager - Karen Hasenfus, events@
larzanderson.org, Ext. 18
Marketing Manager - Jennifer Arone, lawnevents@larzanderson.org,
Ext. 13
Education Manager - Joseph Price, education@larzanderson.org, Ext. 21 11
Membership matters.
Member Benefits
Payment Information
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