JAGSL’s Elegant Outing to the Saint Louis Art Museum’s “Roaring: Art, Fashion, and the Automobile in France, 1918–1939”
On a vibrant first day of summer, members of the Jaguar Association of Greater St. Louis (JAGSL) embarked on a cultural adventure to the Saint Louis Art Museum to experience the captivating exhibition, *Roaring: Art, Fashion, and the Automobile in France, 1918–1939*.
This outing brought together a spirited group of Jaguar enthusiasts, including Jim and Lisa Hendrix, Phil Taxman, Tom Loew and Charlotte Bukowski, Edward Glover, Brandon Gray, Gary and Diana Schlueter, John and Meg Sippel, Steve Gissy, Andy and Lori Franke, Scott Huskey, Ron Henry, and Terry Carmack. The event perfectly blended JAGSL’s passion for automotive excellence with the museum’s celebration of French artistry and innovation.
The *Roaring* exhibition, which opened to the public on April 12, 2025, and runs through July 27, 2025, offered a stunning exploration of the intersection between art, fashion, and automobiles in interwar France. Curated by Cortinovis, Sarah Berg, and automobile expert Ken Gross, the display featured 12 vintage vehicles from iconic French manufacturers like Bugatti, Citroën, Voisin, and Delahaye. Among the highlights were a 1931 Bugatti Type 41 Royale Convertible and a 1937 Delahaye Type 135MS Special Roadster, each a testament to the era’s engineering prowess and aesthetic elegance. For JAGSL members, whose appreciation for Jaguar’s own storied history traces back to the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922, these vehicles sparked lively discussions about design, craftsmanship, and the timeless allure of classic cars.
Beyond the automobiles, the exhibition showcased an array of art and fashion from the period, including works by luminaries like Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, and Man Ray, alongside evening wear and sportswear that captured the era’s bold spirit. Archival footage and film clips, such as scenes from *L’Inhumaine* and Josephine Baker’s *Princess Tam Tam*, added a dynamic layer to the experience, highlighting the cultural vibrancy of 1920s and 1930s France. JAGSL members, known for their motto “Come for the cars, stay for the people,” found the exhibition’s blend of automotive and artistic innovation particularly inspiring, drawing parallels to their own community’s enthusiasm for both technical mastery and camaraderie.
The group’s visit was enriched by an audio guide featuring insights from SLAM director Min Jung Kim, curator Cortinovis, and Ken Gross, whose descriptions of the vehicles’ design and engineering captivated the car-savvy attendees. For members like Jim and Lisa Hendrix, whose 1935 SS1 Jaguar won accolades at the 2024 San Marino Classic, and Gary Schlueter, JAGSL’s resident “mechanic extraordinaire,” the exhibition offered a chance to admire the parallels between French automotive design and the Jaguar legacy they cherish.
Following the exhibition, the JAGSL group gathered for a delightful meal at the Saint Louis Art Museum’s Panorama Restaurant, where a private room had been reserved for their party. The setting was ideal for reflecting on the day’s experience, with members sharing their favorite moments from the exhibition over a delicious spread. The restaurant’s elegant ambiance complemented the group’s shared appreciation for beauty and craftsmanship, making it a fitting capstone to the outing. Conversations flowed easily, touching on everything from the sleek lines of a Bugatti to upcoming JAGSL events, such as their annual Jaguar Concours d’Elegance and scenic Missouri drives planned for the summer.
The day at the Saint Louis Art Museum was a roaring success for JAGSL, leaving members inspired by the artistry of a bygone era and eager for their next adventure on the road and beyond. For more information on JAGSL and the upcoming events, visit www.jagstl.com. For details on the *Roaring* exhibition, including ticketing, visit www.slam.org.
