The Russian Emperor, a World-Famous Architect, and Hamburgers — All at the 2026 Finnish Morgan Club Meeting

By: Kari Nettamo - Owner of yellow 1991 Morgan 4/4

This year, Morgan enthusiasts gathered in the Kotka-Karhula area with a record turnout of 17 Morgans. The program was both timely and full of echoes of history, without forgetting the importance of good food. Naturally, we also visited Cairo.

The meeting was organized by Harri Tuomola, also known as a world traveler, who has visited 187 different countries — not by flying there, but by always crossing national borders overland. He also seems to hold an unofficial record for continuous driving in a Morgan: 33 hours. With that background, we could expect a particularly eventful program this year.

The gathering began on Friday, August 7, at the historic Karhula Mansion in Kotka.

Cars in the courtyard of Karhula Mansion

Sunila — A UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2026

We began our visit at what was perhaps, in honor of our gathering, the newly selected “UNESCO World Heritage Site”: the residential area of the former Sunila pulp mill, which has since been closed. In Finland, it was once common for larger factories to also be responsible for housing their workers. This is how the Sunila residential area, designed by the famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, came into being; its first residents moved in in 1937. The area was designed to suit its purpose while respecting the surrounding Finnish nature and taking residents’ needs into account. From every apartment window, there was to be a view of the pine forest, which was protected during construction according to Aalto’s principles. In this way, every resident could imagine living in the middle of nature. The buildings represent Aalto’s functionalist style, and the apartments were modern by the standards of the time, with central heating and modern kitchens. And that was not all — we also had the chance to visit world traveler Harri’s home and enjoy welcome sparkling wine. Harri had brought back an incredible number of souvenirs from his travels, beautifully arranged in a two-bedroom apartment. If you visit Sunila at the right time, you may also have the opportunity on a guided tour to see Harri’s unofficial world exhibition.

Harri’s roommates dressed up                       Discussion about the wonders of the world

World traveler Harri and the giraffe            The group in the middle of the world

Dinner was enjoyed at Street Food Factory, the best hamburger restaurant in the world — or at least in Finland. We all agreed that its reputation was by no means exaggerated; the hamburgers met expectations in both flavor and abundance. Of course, the must-see stop in Kotka was the traditional favorite of sailors through the ages: Restaurant Kairo. Of its old and somewhat worrying reputation, however, little remained except for the preservation of its old-style interior. To quote the Roman politician Cicero: “O tempora, o mores!”

A Tour in Maritime Surroundings

Saturday traditionally featured a Morgan drive through the surrounding area. We gathered by the sea in Kotka’s Sapokka, where a very fine maritime park has been built. At the same time, local residents had the opportunity to get acquainted with our cars and their owners.

Alexander III, Guardian of Finland’s Autonomy

Our journey continued to the historic Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge. During the reign of Russian Emperor Alexander III, an imperial fishing lodge was built at Langinkoski in Kotka in the late 1880s. Langinkoski was famous for its abundant fish catches, and Alexander, who was interested in fishing, wanted to make use of it alongside his sea voyages. The Emperor also wanted the interior to follow a simple Finnish peasant style. The Duchess of Edinburgh also attended the ceremonial opening — although not in a Morgan. The area includes several buildings that were needed for his entourage as well as for the staff maintaining the fishing lodge. The Emperor enjoyed traveling by sea, and the fishing lodge was one of his destinations around the Gulf of Finland. His entourage normally included more than 10 ships and a large number of staff. However, the Emperor and Empress never spent the night at the fishing lodge, but on board ship.

The Imperial Fishing Lodge            The Emperor’s entourage (brochure: Fishing Lodge; National Museum of Finland)

Alexander III was Russia’s second-to-last emperor before the infamous Nicholas II. Alexander’s father was assassinated in 1881, and as a result Alexander became the next Emperor of Russia. In his own country, he sought to strengthen imperial autocracy, but toward Finland he was nevertheless favorable. Finland’s position within the Russian Empire was special. Finland had broad rights of self-determination, its own postal service, its own church separate from the Russian Orthodox Church, its own Diet, its own army, which did not have to take part in Russian operations, and so on. Finland’s position as a Grand Duchy within Russia is often misunderstood. During Swedish rule until 1809, Sweden held a firm grip on Finland, even though Finland was also then defined as a Grand Duchy, without any signs of independence. This was partly due to Finland’s bilingual nature, in which Swedish was the administrative language. Under Russian rule, by contrast, Finland was allowed to determine its own internal affairs to a fairly broad extent. During Alexander III’s time, however, the increasing autocracy in Russia was also partly reflected in Finland.

The area is now one of Finland’s historic sites and part of the Finnish museum network maintained by the state. If you visit the Kotka area, the site is easy to find and well worth a visit.

From Langinkoski, the tour continued through the beautiful landscapes of southeastern Finland toward the old industrial area of Strömfors. This is one of Finland’s significant and well-preserved industrial villages. Industrial activity has been carried out there for centuries. It became famous for its metal products, perhaps most widely for Strömfors iron nails. Making nails was certainly not an easy or simple process at the time. Good nails could command quite substantial prices.

Today, Strömfors offers a collection of small shops selling handicrafts, several small restaurants, and, of course, preserved old workshops to see. The products in the small shops are carefully selected with an appreciation for Finnish craftsmanship. We also tested the restaurant offerings by having lunch at the local Mylly restaurant. The traditional Finnish post-meal coffee and doughnut, however, were enjoyed a short drive away at the Gulf café, which once operated as a traditional Gulf service station. Time has passed Gulf by, but the Gulf advertising sign still stands in place.

Coffee and doughnuts at the Gulf “service station”

All’s Well That Ends Well

At the end of Saturday, over dinner, we were able to conclude that this year’s event had been the most successful of all time. From this, we can improve again next year, wherever our gathering may be held. We set a goal for next year of 20 car crews, which would represent half of all Morgans registered in Finland.

By: Kari Nettamo - Owner of yellow 1991 Morgan 4/4

Finnish Morgan enthusiasts once again gathered for their annual meeting, this time in Turku on August 4-5, 2023. A total of 14 Morgan crews participated, with cars ranging from a 1957 model to vehicles manufactured in the 2000s.

It is estimated that there are approximately 40 Morgan automobiles in Finland, of which around 30 are listed with the Finnish Morgan Club. It would be wonderful if the remaining Morgan owners would also join this community dedicated to such a rare and distinctive marque.

Historic Accommodation and Informal Gathering

Participants stayed at Hotel Börs, one of Turku's most famous hotels. The hotel has operated at the same location since 1894 and is now part of the Scandic hotel chain.

From Börs, the group proceeded to the traditional annual gathering. Because of its informal atmosphere, it could hardly be called a formal meeting. The event was hosted at the home of the organizers, Rami Huovinen and Cristel Gustafsson.

As is customary, the gathering was a relaxed reunion among friends, providing an opportunity to discuss the past year's activities and plans for the coming year. Pekka Vitikainen continues as Chairman of the Club, and anyone interested in club matters is welcome to contact him at pekka.vitikainen@gmail.com.

Dinner at Finland's Oldest Restaurant

As Finland's oldest city and former capital, Turku is also home to Finland's oldest restaurant.

Located along the Aura River in the historic district of Old Turku is the restaurant once known as Pinella, now operating as Via Tribunali, a restaurant specializing in pizzas. After the gathering, the group enjoyed dinner in this historic establishment.

The restaurant has received a prestigious distinction comparable to a Michelin star within the pizza world. The pizzas followed authentic Italian traditions more closely than typical Finnish pizza culture. It is an excellent dining destination in the historic heart of Turku.

The building itself was restored with great care to preserve its original style and appearance, a goal that was achieved admirably.

Touring Through the Heart of Turku

On Saturday morning, the Morgans assembled, with special permission, beside Turku Cathedral.

Both local residents and visiting tourists stopped to admire the cars. Never before had Morgans been permitted to park in such a historic setting.

Turku Cathedral is one of Finland's most iconic landmarks and is recognized throughout the country. It was consecrated as a cathedral on June 17, 1300, though it is believed to have originally been established as early as 1249 by Dominican friars.

The historic buildings surrounding the cathedral create a unique and inspiring atmosphere throughout the area. It is also from the balcony of the nearby Brinkkala House that Finland's annual Declaration of Christmas Peace is proclaimed each Christmas Eve, one of the country's most widely watched television broadcasts.

This location is also the source of the famous Turku expression:

"Täl pual jokke" and "Tois pual jokke"
("This side of the river" and "The other side of the river.")

The answer to the saying's origin is simple: "This side of the river" refers to the side where the cathedral is located.

The photographs below show the cars parked beside the cathedral.

A Tour Through the Heart of Turku

From the cathedral, the Morgan owners set off to showcase their cars throughout downtown Turku.

As always, the cars brought smiles to people's faces. Children waved enthusiastically, while adults gave thumbs-up and stopped to admire the vehicles. Morgan automobiles have a unique ability to generate positive reactions wherever they go.

It is wonderful that modern Morgans have largely retained the same shape and character as the original cars. The timeless design, along with what many would say is the same underlying spirit, continues to make Morgans instantly recognizable and appealing to enthusiasts and the general public alike.

The Morgan owners were ready to set off on their tour through the center of Turku. There was no shortage of admiring thumbs-up from passersby, and for good reason.

From downtown, the group continued to one of Turku's true gems, Ruissalo Island. The magnificent broadleaf trees lining Ruissalon Puistotie create a beautiful and distinctive setting. Today's younger generations know Ruissalo as the home of Ruisrock, Finland's oldest rock festival, which the author of this article attended in its very first year, 1970.

Ruissalo offers something for everyone: a hotel and spa, a camping area, a botanical garden, the historic People's Park (Kansanpuisto), and, of course, several restaurants and cafés, not to mention ice cream kiosks. Because of its natural beauty and lush scenery, Ruissalo is one of Turku residents' favorite outdoor recreation areas. Special attention has been paid to creating excellent opportunities for both walkers and cyclists.

Our group enjoyed lunch at Restaurant Oaky, located at Aura Golf. After lunch, we spent quality time in the golf club's parking area, exchanging experiences and discussing new ideas related to our beloved automobiles.

Particularly for owners of older Morgans, innovative ideas for improving the cars' technology and performance are always valuable. Many Morgan enthusiasts spend part of the winter maintaining, repairing, or upgrading their vehicles, and the experiences and ideas shared by fellow owners are an invaluable source of inspiration and practical knowledge when caring for these classic cars.

Jarno Saarinen: Finland's TT World Champion

Finnish motorsport enthusiasts remember Jarno Saarinen of Turku as the only Finnish rider to have won a TT Motorcycle World Championship during an era dominated by the legendary Italian racer Giacomo Agostini.

In 1972, Saarinen won the 250cc World Championship and earned silver in the 350cc class. That same year, he also became the first European rider to win the famous Daytona 200 in the United States.

Sadly, his remarkable career was cut short by a fatal accident at Monza in 1973.

Today, his brother Jari Saarinen maintains a small but fascinating private collection dedicated to Jarno's life and career. The collection includes several of Jarno's motorcycles along with photographs, memorabilia, and other materials related to his racing achievements.

Our group was fortunate to visit this exhibition, which highlights an important and proud chapter in Finnish motorsport history.

A heartfelt thank you to Jari for giving us the opportunity to experience this remarkable tribute to a Finnish racing legend.

English “Champagne” – Does Such a Thing Exist?

Turku is home to an interesting establishment dedicated to introducing different alcoholic beverages and exploring the stories and craftsmanship behind them.

A portion of our group visited The Tasting Room in downtown Turku to sample a selection of English sparkling wines. Naturally, the term Champagne cannot be used, as Champagne refers exclusively to sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of France.

The very idea of sparkling wine from England tends to raise eyebrows, much like the notion of gourmet cuisine and traditional English food. The tasting menu featured four different sparkling wines, and it came as a genuine surprise that these distinctly British offerings proved to be of exceptionally high quality, even in the opinion of our group's expert tasting panel.

Part of this success is undoubtedly due to the gradual changes in climate over recent decades. England possesses the right soil composition for viticulture, and grape varieties originally imported from France have, when combined with suitable climatic conditions and terroir, produced sparkling wines of outstanding quality.

The tasting and presentation were led by Sofia Lindholm, whose knowledge and expertise were excellent and greatly enhanced the experience. The venue also offers non-alcoholic alternatives, including both wine-style beverages and cocktails suitable for drivers.

As a result, a true gentleman can treat his lady to a refreshing drink while exploring the sights and atmosphere of downtown Turku.

The gala dinner was held at the historic Restaurant Oobu.

The restaurant is located in Turku's historic city center on the "other side of the river" (toiss puall jokkee), an area that is home to numerous high-quality yet reasonably priced restaurants along the banks of the Aura River.

The building housing the restaurant is known as the Bassi House, completed in 1884. For generations, residents of the archipelago brought the bounty of the sea and the land to the people of Turku by boat. In keeping with this tradition, the Archipelago Restaurant Oobu specializes in cuisine inspired by the Finnish archipelago. In terms of both flavor and presentation, it is an outstanding dining experience.

As a testament to its quality, Oobu was awarded recognition by the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs in 2022. The price level is also quite reasonable for visitors. Because the restaurant is located on the second floor of the historic Bassi House, it is easy to overlook, but those who discover it are invariably pleasantly surprised.

It is encouraging to see the traditions of the Finnish archipelago still being preserved in this age of burgers, kebabs, and pizza.

Although this year's driving tour was limited to Turku and its surrounding area, the gathering proved to be a memorable experience set amid remarkable historical surroundings.

We warmly welcome new Morgan enthusiasts to join our community.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Morgan Club's 25th Anniversary Gathering in Kuopio, August 5-7, 2022

By: Kari Nettamo – Owner of a Yellow 1991 Morgan 4/4

The 2022 gathering celebrated the 25th anniversary of our club, with 12 Morgan crews taking part in the festivities. The event was held in Kuopio, in the heart of the Savonia region of Finland.

The weekend began with a dinner at the renowned Restaurant Sampo, famous for its vendace dishes. Sampo is considered a "must-visit" destination for anyone traveling to Kuopio. The value for money was excellent, and the vendace, naturally, was prepared to perfection. As the Savonians might say, there were more than enough options to satisfy every taste.

Kuopio Market Square Filled with Morgans

A convoy of twelve Morgans departed from the hotel and headed toward Kuopio Market Square.

Thanks to special arrangements, we were able to drive along the pedestrian street leading directly to the square, where the people of Savonia had the opportunity to admire these representatives of traditional British automobile craftsmanship.

The event attracted considerable attention, and Savon Sanomat, the region's leading newspaper, published a comprehensive and well-written feature about our gathering both on its website and in its printed edition.

The sight of a dozen Morgans assembled in the heart of Kuopio provided an impressive display of classic British motoring and generated great interest among both local residents and visitors alike.

The weather forecast was not encouraging. We expected heavy rain to arrive at any moment, but fortunately the showers held off, and the sun shone pleasantly on both the Morgan enthusiasts and the Savonian spectators.

In true Morgan fashion, the owners enthusiastically shared stories about their cars, explaining their history, unique features, and character. Meanwhile, the Savonians, staying true to local tradition, listened attentively, quietly absorbing as much information as possible from the speakers and asking thoughtful questions to satisfy their curiosity.

The combination of beautiful weather, classic British automobiles, and interested spectators created a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone. It was another reminder that Morgans have a remarkable ability not only to attract attention but also to bring people together through a shared appreciation of automotive heritage and craftsmanship.

Driving Tour Through Sunshine and Rain

From the market square, the group set off on the traditional driving tour, heading toward Alahovi Wine Estate.

Despite the threatening weather, the drive around Lake Kallavesi, following a clockwise route through Vehmersalmi, was a great success. The route offered beautiful lakeside scenery and enjoyable driving roads, making the journey itself one of the highlights of the day.

Remarkably, only a minute after arriving at the winery, a torrential downpour swept across the area, giving both the cars and a couple of Morgan enthusiasts a very thorough washing.

Finland, it seems, has also begun to experience the kind of sudden cloudbursts more commonly associated with southern climates: intense rainstorms that appear without warning, pour heavily for a short while, and then disappear almost as quickly as they arrived.

Fortunately, the timing could not have been better. The rain waited patiently until the entire convoy had completed its drive and reached its destination, allowing everyone to enjoy the tour before the weather finally made its dramatic entrance.

At the winery, we were welcomed by owner Risto Hallman, who introduced us to the estate and its winemaking process.

The wines are produced primarily from Finnish berries, most of which are sourced from nearby farms. Interestingly, frozen berries yield more juice and a richer flavor than fresh berries. As a result, most of the wine production takes place after the summer harvest season has ended. During the summer months, the wines are then sold to visitors and tourists.

At the estate, we enjoyed a traditional salmon soup lunch, accompanied by the famous kalakukko, a beloved Savonian specialty.

For non-Savonians, a small clarification is in order: an authentic kalakukko is made using small perch, not vendace (muikku), as is often mistakenly believed.

After our visit to the winery, the drive continued back toward Kuopio. Along the way, we also had the opportunity to experience one of Finland's increasingly rare ferry crossings, a reminder of a traditional mode of transportation that is gradually disappearing from the Finnish landscape.

The club's Annual General Meeting was held in a private function room adjoining our hotel.

For good reason, Pekka Vitikainen was re-elected to continue as Chairman of the club. Once again, and for equally good reasons, it was decided not to formally register the club. Instead, we continue as a free-spirited group united by one common goal: enjoying our Morgans to the fullest.

The location and dates for next year's gathering were confirmed as Turku, August 4-7, 2023.

The organizers of this year's event, Sami Torvinen and Jussi Lukkari, received excellent reviews from the participants, even though the gala dinner still remained to be tested at that point.

Classic Bus Travel from a Bygone Era

One of the special features of this year's program was an introduction to the history of public transportation in Kuopio.

We were given the opportunity to travel aboard a beautifully restored Kabus coach while also touring the city of Kuopio.

Koiviston Auto Oy wanted to be directly involved in manufacturing its own buses in order to create vehicles that were durable, reliable, and well suited to the company's needs. To achieve this, Kabus Oy, a subsidiary of Koiviston Auto, was established to manufacture buses specifically for use within the company.

The venture proved to be a tremendous success.

According to our guide, Risto Pennanen, some of these buses accumulated millions of kilometers during their service lives. Maintenance and servicing were handled entirely in-house, which contributed significantly to their longevity.

The name Kabus is derived from the words Koiviston Auto Bus.

Unfortunately, production of Kabus buses ended in 2015. Today, one restored Kabus coach survives thanks to an association formed around its preservation, and it now serves by transporting tourists while keeping an important piece of Finnish transportation history alive.

The ride offered a nostalgic glimpse into a time when well-built buses were designed to provide decades of dependable service, making it a fitting addition to a weekend devoted to appreciating vehicles with history, character, and craftsmanship.

To mark the occasion, the group also enjoyed a glass of sparkling wine.

The gala dinner was held at Restaurant Urban, and this dining choice proved every bit as successful as the previous one. Urban is one of Kuopio's premier fine dining restaurants, yet its prices remain surprisingly reasonable.

The thoughtfully planned three-course menu was excellent from start to finish. Urban serves as a fine example of how outstanding food, beautifully presented, can still be offered at an affordable price.

As Sunday morning dawned, the Morgans each set off for their respective homes and garages.

Another memorable annual gathering had come to an end, filled with good company, beautiful driving roads, fascinating history, and, of course, the shared enjoyment of these unique British automobiles.

We look forward to meeting again next year in Turku. Welcome! (Tervetuloa!)

Record Number of Morgan Enthusiasts in the Landscapes of South Karelia

The 2021 Gathering During the COVID Era

By Kari Nettamo – Owner of a Yellow 1991 Morgan 4/4

After a two-year break, with the minor exception of the British Cars Meet in Lahti event in 2020, Morgan enthusiasts were finally able to gather again. This time the destination was Lappeenranta, where the annual meeting took place from July 30 to August 1, 2021.

A record 14 Morgan owners, with or without navigators, participated in the event. The program in and around Lappeenranta included presidential history, delicious food, whisky tasting, and an introduction to the magnificent waterways of Lake Saimaa.

Once again, it was proven that size does not necessarily equal quality. Finland may have the smallest number of Morgans in the Nordic countries, but the camaraderie among participants more than compensates for the modest size of the community.

Local Morgan enthusiast Jouni Okko had put together an excellent program and even managed to arrange nearly rain-free weather.

A Cruise on Lake Saimaa and the Canal

On Friday, we gathered at Scandic Patria in Lappeenranta before heading to the city's famous harbor.

After enjoying some local specialties, including vendace, the iconic Vety and Atomi meat pastries, and, naturally, ice cream, we embarked on a dinner cruise. For a couple of relaxing hours, we enjoyed the peaceful scenery of Lake Saimaa while also learning about the Saimaa Canal and its history.

The enormity of Saimaa, Finland's largest lake, is illustrated by its remarkable 13,700 kilometers (8,500 miles) of shoreline.

In the Footsteps of a President

The second day was traditionally devoted to touring the surrounding region.

We gathered in the historic Rakuuna (Dragoon) district of Lappeenranta, where we took the "official" group photographs.

Our first destination was Kotkaniemi in Luumäki, the home of President Pehr Evind Svinhufvud from 1908 until his death. Afterward, his wife Ellen Svinhufvud continued to live there.

Four generations of the family eventually lived at Kotkaniemi, which today operates as a museum. Not only is the site's history fascinating, but its meticulously maintained gardens and magnificent summer flower displays make it well worth a visit.

A Taste of Traditional Savonian Cuisine

From Kotkaniemi, we continued to Lemi to enjoy one of Finland's best-known traditional dishes, listed among the country's classic foods by cultural historian Kustaa Vilkuna: Lemin Särä.

The name Särä comes from the birchwood trough in which lamb is traditionally slow-cooked. The meat is roasted at a low oven temperature for four to six hours, creating exceptional tenderness and flavor.

Toward the end of cooking, potatoes are added to the trough, absorbing the rich lamb juices and developing their characteristic golden color from the heat of the oven.

Dessert is always raisin soup, traditionally believed to aid digestion after what is unquestionably a hearty and satisfying meal.

Annual Meeting Powered by Whisky

The journey continued through the beautiful landscapes of Savitaipale and Taipalsaari before returning to Lappeenranta.

The club's annual meeting, or perhaps "annual conversations" would be a more accurate description, was held at facilities provided by Ylämaa Group, courtesy of Jouni Okko.

As a special addition to the program, participants were treated to an introduction to the world of whisky.

Michel Grönfors, the Finnish representative of Balvenie, delivered an engaging presentation about the company's products. The tasting was conducted with proper appreciation and ceremony, involving careful nosing and thoughtful sipping.

The participants from Savonia perhaps summarized the entire group's opinion best with the simple and heartfelt verdict:

"Good stuff."

A particularly interesting detail reflecting the company's appreciation for craftsmanship was Grönfors's mention that the company had acquired two Morgan automobiles. Morgan cars continue to be hand-built with exceptional attention to detail, much like Balvenie's whiskies, which are still produced using traditional artisanal methods.

One of those Morgans even made a partial appearance at the gathering.

During the discussions, it was unanimously agreed that Pekka Vitikainen should continue as chairman for another term.

The group also confirmed:

• Kuopio as the host city for the 2022 gathering
• Turku as the location for the 2023 event

Dinner by the Harbor

To conclude the day, participants returned to the harbor area of Lappeenranta for dinner at Vanha Makasiini ("The Old Warehouse").

With the weather forecast predicting widespread rain for Sunday, it was decided that everyone would make their journey home independently, each according to their own schedule and preferred route.

The rain, it seemed, intended to treat everyone equally.

Despite the uncertain weather, the 2021 gathering was another memorable celebration of friendship, craftsmanship, fine food, beautiful scenery, and the enduring appeal of Morgan automobiles.

Morgan Gathering in Lahti, 2020

By Kari Nettamo – Owner of a Yellow 1991 Morgan 4/4

This year, Morgan enthusiasts gathered in Lahti on August 9, 2020, in conjunction with the annual Britit Kohtaavat ("Brits Meet") event.

The venue was the grounds of the Finnish Motorcycle Museum, located on the beautiful shores of Lake Vesijärvi.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Finnish Morgan Club's traditional annual gathering had been canceled for 2020. Nevertheless, a total of 10 Morgans arrived in Lahti, setting a new club record for participation at a Britit Kohtaavat event.

Particularly encouraging was the presence of a new Morgan owner, who attended with a Morgan Plus 8.

The weather was on our side throughout the day. Thanks to Riku Routo, all participants were granted complimentary admission to the Finnish Motorcycle Museum.

Most of our Morgans have already reached the age required for historic vehicle status, and the museum grounds provided an excellent setting for the gathering among fellow enthusiasts and other British vehicles.

Despite the unusual circumstances of the year, it was a pleasure to see so many members and cars come together to celebrate our shared passion for these unique automobiles.

We hope that next year we will once again be able to hold our own dedicated gathering without the concerns and restrictions caused by the coronavirus.

Until then, we wish everyone a pleasant and enjoyable end to the summer.

Morgan Gathering in Tuuri, 2019

By Kari Nettamo – Owner of a Yellow 1991 Morgan 4/4

The 2019 Morgan gathering was held in and around Tuuri from July 26-28, 2019. This year, nine Morgan crews participated, which can be considered an excellent turnout given the size of our club.

Accommodation was provided at the Tuuri Village Shop Hotel. Thanks to the exceptionally warm weather, no one needed to turn on the heating. Air conditioning, however, was very much appreciated. Throughout the entire weekend, temperatures hovered close to 30°C (86°F).

Friday was devoted to arrivals, settling into the hotel, and enjoying a shared dinner.

On Saturday, we embarked on an interesting tour of the surrounding area. The program had been carefully planned by local expert Markku "Topi" Toivonen, whose knowledge of the region ensured an enjoyable and varied day.

As a special feature, our visit was filmed for an upcoming reality television series about the Tuuri Village Shop. The episode was scheduled to air the following January, and we eagerly awaited seeing how our appearance would make it into the final program.

Pandas, Finns, and a Shared Appreciation for Quiet Living

Our first destination was naturally Ähtäri Zoo, home to Finland's famous giant pandas, Lumi and Pyry.

This attraction is unique not only in Finland but arguably on a European scale as well. Each panda had its own indoor enclosure as well as access to a shared outdoor area.

Pandas, of course, generally prefer their own company except during mating season. In that respect, they bear a striking resemblance to us Finns, who have also earned a reputation as a nation of relatively few words.

The visit provided an excellent opportunity to observe these remarkable animals and learn more about one of Finland's most unusual zoological attractions.

A Visit to Killinkoski Market

Our next stop was the Killinkoski Market.

Every gentleman's wardrobe should include Killinkoski's most famous product: Inka suspenders. These traditional suspenders continue to serve their purpose admirably, ensuring that when reaching into an engine compartment, they remain firmly attached to one's coveralls.

Lunch was enjoyed at the Killinkoski café, overlooking the beautiful scenery of Lake Toisvesi. The combination of picturesque views, pleasant weather, and good company made it an ideal place to pause during the day's tour.

As with many Morgan gatherings, the journey itself, the destinations visited, and the conversations shared along the way proved every bit as memorable as the cars themselves.

A New Chairman for the Club

Markku Toivonen hosted the club meeting at the facilities of Nahkapaikka, the family business located in Tuuri.

Once again, we agreed that our club is built on two important foundations: a strong sense of camaraderie and a shared love of Morgan automobiles.

After leading the club for many years, Markku Junnila wished to pass the responsibility on to a younger generation. By unanimous agreement, Pekka Vitikainen of Varkaus was elected as the new Chairman of the Finnish Morgan Club.

In a sense, the entrepreneurial spirit of Ostrobothnia was passed on to a laid-back Savonian, although Pekka is also an entrepreneur himself.

Following dinner, Markku and Kaisa Toivonen hosted an enjoyable evening gathering in a wonderful setting, providing an excellent conclusion to a memorable day.

On Sunday, the beautiful weather continued as participants began their journeys home. Despite the persistent heat, the return trips were pleasant, if somewhat warm.

For once, it was the heat rather than the cold that challenged our travels here in the far North.

As the Morgans headed back to their garages across Finland, participants departed with fond memories of another successful gathering filled with friendship, fine roads, interesting destinations, and a shared appreciation for these distinctive British automobiles.