August 2009: Morgan Motor Company Centenary Festival

During the weekend of 1st and 2nd August, a gathering of over 3200 Morgan Motor Cars took place at Cheltenham Racecourse to celebrate 100 years of Morgan as a company. The cars came from 28 different countries and the celebrations took place over many events with the first weekend in August being the Grand Finale.

Morelli Group as suppliers to Morgan Motor Company of their Glasurit paint and consumable products supported Morgan by sponsoring the concours event which took place in the Parade Ring at Cheltenham which is the first time cars have appeared in this arena. Unfortunately the weather on Saturday was not great but the competition was fierce with only the best models winning prizes. Fortunately the weather improved for the Saturday evening concert and Sunday.

The weekend included a grand Gala Dinner for a 1000 people, an outdoor rock concert featuring the Rolling Clones and a Queen tribute act, autotests, fairground style entertainment and the concours event – the prize for the car in the best condition. The Grande Finale to the weekend was a party in the park style prom concert on Sunday evening with the English Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the charismatic Jae Alexander. Large crowds enjoyed the rousing music and firework display.

Charles Morgan said “I thought the Saturday night Gala Dinner was going to be the climax of the weekend, but the concert and fireworks on the Sunday was just amazing too”

Andrew Moring, Marketing Director for Morelli Group said “Morelli Group are very proud to be associated with such a prestigious marque as Morgan and were delighted to be involved in the celebrations. Our staff and guests during the course of the weekend all had a great time admiring the cars and taking part in the events especially Saturday nights Gala dinner and the Queen tribute act”.

Morgan has been invited to many prestigious events this year to celebrate its Centenary, including Villa D’Este, Europe’s most exclusive concours d’elegance, Goodwood Festival of Speed and Pebble Beach, Americas premier concours event as one of the 3 featured marques – alongside Bugatti and Bentley.