Larz Anderson lawn events bridge old and new

By George Kennedy

June 14, 2012

3 minutes to read

It’s Saturday morning in late spring. For many, that means getting out the lawnmower, rushing the kids to soccer practice, or picking up burgers for an afternoon cookout.

For the car guy on your block, weekends mean one thing: car shows. After a winter spent repairing or restoring their “baby,’’ enthusiastic car owners are rewarded with the chance to put their ride on display.

There is no better place to catch this gathering of gearheads than the Larz Anderson Automotive Museum in Brookline. Greater Boston’s best-kept-secret is not only a beautiful backdrop for any event; it is steeped in automotive history. The collection within its walls is not to be missed.

But what was outside on the museum’s front lawn this spring was also not to be missed: a plethora of Porsches and their owners gathered for the Porsche Zone Concours. This show put on by the Porsche Club of America had vehicles ranging from classic 356 Roadsters to a brand-new 911 Carrera. Owners were just as diverse, from meticulous collectors to Average Joes.

According to museum marketing manager Jen Arone, that dichotomy is encouraged. “We try to bring collectors, enthusiasts, and the community together for a fun-filled day,’’ she says. “We host lawn events almost every weekend May to October and each event features a different make or genre of car.’’

Much like the museum itself, the lawn events have an expansive history. Larz Anderson (1866-1937) was a wealthy American businessman and the US Ambassador to Japan in 1912 and 1913. He spent years collecting cars, many of which were rare and expensive for their day. This opulent collection was stored in the Anderson Estate’s carriage house, a massive stone castle inspired by a French chateau.

Starting in 1927, the Andersons opened their doors on Sunday afternoons. According to Arone, “they would invite the general public to admire their growing collection of American and European cars.’’ Today, that collection is found in the lower level of the museum.

This year is shaping up to be one of the busiest for the museum. Arone and the museum staff have their work cut out for them during a jam-packed season. “We have 24 shows and seven Cars & Coffee gatherings on select Saturday mornings,’’ says Arone. Cars & Coffee is an informal gathering that does not single out one brand of auto. As long as your car is powerful, exciting, or unique, you can join the fun.

Not all lawn events are created equal, and one show stands out among the rest. “The biggest show is almost always the Tutto Italiano,’’ Arone says. “It features over 500 cars, 2,500 spectators, and it is the largest Italian car festival in the Northeast.’’ The Tutto Italiano displays Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, Alfa Romeos, and Fiats from every decade, not to mention a healthy mix of Italian motorcycles. “It’s a celebration of all things Italian,’’ she says.

The spread of events includes those featuring British cars, classic American muscle, and even bicycles. You don’t have to be the most fastidious collector to bring your car to an event. “Anyone interested in participating in a particular event should check our website (larzanderson.org),’’ emphasizes Arone. “Some shows offer a pre-registration at a discounted rate.’’

Whether as participant or showgoer, the lawn events, and the museum as a whole, are not to be missed. The 64-acre park on which the carriage house sits features walking trails, a pond, community garden, an openair ice rink in the winter, and one of the most gorgeous views of Boston. For the non-carperson, it’s a peaceful place. For the enthusiast, the lawn event is a little oasis, where like-minded wrench-turners can exchange stories—and hopefully create new ones.