Car show on town beach draws big crowd

MORRIS — There were sports cars and there were trucks.

But what about that 1970 AMC Mark Donohue Javelin? Yes, only 2,501 were produced.

And one them made the first car show staged by the Morris Beach & Recreation Department.

Those vehicles and more helped to make the show an overwhelming success, according to Director Kristen Davila. Nearly 150 vehicles, including cars, trucks, tractors and a fire truck, were on display to an appreciable crowd of spectators at the town beach on Sunday.

“Today was a wonderful collaboration between the Morris Beach & Recreation Department with Director Kristen Davila, the boy scouts and Morris Fire Company,” said First Selectman Tom Weik, who also had a vintage car in the show.

“For our first time putting on a car show, the more than 150 vehicles that came to the town beach was an awesome turnout and the large crowd was wonderful,” Weik said.

One of the rare cars on display was a 1961 Formal Black Chrysler 300G convertible with tan swiveling seats. Owned by Buzz Ebner from Harwinton, the car was one of only 337 produced. The Virgil Exner fins are prominent and considered pugnacious, and that year featured the first floormounted 3speed stick.

Ebner agreed that his family are “gearheads,” and 15yearold Hugh Ebner from Washington said he owns three cars of his own: a 1992 Ford Ranger, 1978 Dodge Aspen and a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette. The family also plan their own car show next August, to be held at Camp Awosting in Morris. Proceeds will benefit local students with scholarships.

The Morris Fire Company helped with freshcooked meat under the pavilion Sunday, and Troop No. 28 members Grayson Anderson and Robert Asman handled parking for spectators. There were many chancetowin items donated by local businesses and Bella Luna Gifts, a Morris boutique, offered samplings of their gifts, foods, and collectibles.