By Amy Batista, Special Writer
FLORENCE — The Roebling Museum and the Bordentown Yacht Club teamed up to sponsor a colorful car show in town July 28.
Hot weather and a looming storm did not stop a large crowd of spectators from attending the third annual event, known as the Roebling Museum Car Show, which took place on the museum grounds.
Approximately 1,500 visitors attended the show and also visited inside the museum, located in the historic village of Roebling within Florence Township.
According to officials, this year’s car show had the largest turnout of guests to date.
”Overall, it was a good show,” said Karl Darby, of Stockton, who serves as president of the Roebling Museum.
”A lot of people that come to the show have never been to the museum,” Mr. Darby said. “We used it as a way to break the ice to get them to the museum while they were at the show.”
The Roebling family once produced the Mercer automobile, manufactured in Trenton, which, according to the museum, was widely considered America’s first sports car. The museum hosts the annual car show as a tribute to one of the lasting legacies of the Roebling Co.
”My favorite thing about the show is seeing cars I never knew existed — and seeing the Mercer cars because of the connection to our story here at the museum,” said Patricia Millen, of Ewing, who is the executive director of the Roebling Museum.
More than 245 cars, trucks and street rods representing almost 100 years of cars ranging from 1914 to 2012 were on display for car enthusiasts from all around the area.
”We have cars of all ages, different classes,” Mr. Darby said. “For example, some of these cars were from pre-1929, then you have 1930 to 1949. You have classes of different eras.”
Mr. Darby owned the oldest car in the show. He brought a 1914 Mercer, which was made by the Roebling family, in addition to two others that also were on display.
”We had a larger selection of unique cars and trucks, and the size of the show is bigger,” Ms. Millen said.
Mr. Darby said there were approximately 80 new cars that participated this year.
”I’ve rarely seen so many terrific cars, antique and modern, in one place,” said Dave Johnson, of Lawrenceville, who came for his first time. “This was definitely worth the trip.”
Mr. Johnson was taking photographs of a 1967 Jaguar for a photography club and said it was the car he wanted to buy when he was a teenager.
”I think it was $5,300 in those days,” Mr. Johnson said.
”It’s well represented, a lot of different kinds of cars,” said Alan Myers, of Columbus.
It was his first time visiting the show.
Mr. Myers said his favorite car was the 1969 Chevelle SS since he used to own one.
”I like the old muscle cars,” Mr. Myers said.
Lumberton brothers P.J. Fox, 12, and Devon Fox, 9, were exploring the different cars with their father.
”I like how there is all the different cars that you can look at and that there are windows open and you can actually see what it would look like in pictures,” P.J. said.
P.J. said he liked the Corvettes the best.
His brother said he enjoyed the range of cars from the early 1900s to today, but said the Lotus was his favorite.
For car owner, George Ferris, of Cinnaminson, this was his first time attending the show — along with his 1973 Plymouth Gold Duster, which he has had a little over a year.
”I think it’s great, fantastic,” Mr. Ferris said of the show.
The Roebling Museum hosts a number of events throughout the year.
”Our 7-acre grounds are perfect for large family-fun events like the car show, and teaming with the Bordentown Yacht Club provides enough volunteers experienced in car show production to pull off the event,” Ms. Millen said.
”We work all year long to put this show on,” Ms. Millen said.
The profits raised from the car show will help provide resources for the museum’s educational exhibits, programs and general operating costs, according to an event press release.
”We are still tallying the funds raised, but (we) will exceed last year, we are sure. We are around $7,000 net, plus sponsorships,” Ms. Millen said.
Awards on Saturday were sponsored by local dealerships and businesses.
The Best in Show award went to Rich Hilfirty for his 1967 Pro Street Shelby. The People’s Choice award was won by Rodger Labaw for his 1935 Le Saville.
The Best Foreign Car award was presented to Nick Ferrant for his 1961 Austin-Healey. The Yacht Club award was presented to Albert Jacoby for his family’s 1954 Mack Engine fire truck.
The Roebling award was presented to George Trevena for his 1926 Coal Truck.
Survivors awards, for cars more than 27 years old with original paint and details, were given to Harry Kaluhiokalani who won first-place for his 1967 GTO; followed by Vincent Lofinno in second-place with his 1963 Galaxy and Mr. Ferris in third with his 1973 Plymouth Gold Duster.
Music was provided by Cruzin Tunes, and food was on hand by various vendors.
Visitors were able to tour the Roebling Museum and view the “Calm Heroism: Washington A. Roebling II and the Titanic Disaster” exhibit, which tells the story and heroics of Washington Roebling II on the maiden voyage of the “unsinkable” Titanic.
”He was onboard the Titanic,” Ms. Millen said. “He helped saved several people, and we have that documented — but his body was never found.”
Another exhibit, which opened May 26, titled “Spinning Gold, the Roebling Company and the History of the Golden Gate Bridge” allows a visitor to learn about cable spinning and construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary year.
”It’s gonna be on for next year, and we are hoping that the people who came this year will tell their friends about it; tell everyone about it,” Mr. Darby said.
The museum is open April through November.
”The story we have to tell is very important. It’s a story about the town and the mill site and its products,” the president of the Roebling Museum said.
Mr. Darby continued, “It’s an important history lesson.”
Next year’s car show is set for July 27 at the Roebling Museum, 100 Second Ave. in the historic village of Roebling, Florence Township.

