TGR Staff - 01/21/2023
Morton Street Partners and Meyers Manx have launched the Winter Surf exhibition in New York City that explores the inventive spirit of mid-twentieth-century vehicle design and its associations with freedom and adventure. Vehicles on display include Steve McQueen’s iconic Meyers Manx dune buggy from The Thomas Crown Affair, a French off-road prototype known as “the Shake” designed by Italian coachbuilders Bertone, a Citroën Méhari, and a 1960s Bultaco motorcycle converted into a snowmobile, we invite viewers to consider the innovation, craftsmanship, and risk-taking of the engineers who built them.
“The Meyers Manx has always been a symbol of joy, simplicity and purity. It’s the solution to the complexity of life. Continuing the legacy of the Meyers Manx connects us with the optimism of the 1960’s California culture, an optimism we all can share.” – Phillip Sarofim, Chairman, Meyers Manx
The exhibition highlights the dune buggy's aesthetic appeal and cultural significance as a symbol of rebellion and counterculture. Through this exhibition, Morton Street Partners continues its commitment to promoting the conservation of material culture and the scholarship that provides context for the automobile's place within the art world. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to learn about the rich history and evolution of the dune buggy, as well as the craftsmanship and design that goes into creating these unique vehicles. The exhibition also encourages visitors to consider the changing role of the automobile in contemporary culture and to reflect on the ways in which the car continues to inspire and challenge our ideas about art and design. American men’s clothing brand and surf company Noah has provided the custom-shaped surfboards on display and for sale during the duration of the Winter Surf exhibition.