Vanderbilt Cup Races

Nov 11 2011

VanderbiltCupRaces.com Updates and Comments- Saturday, November 12, 2011

VanderbiltCupRaces.com Updates

Latest updates and comments on VanderbiltCupRaces.com:

The Index of Archives of all posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com has been updated through October 31, 2011.

Recent Comments on VanderbiltCupRaces.com

Film “Krug’s Hotel: The Best Accommodations on the Course”

Kathie C: I am also a relative of Frank P Krug. He was my dad's great(?) uncle. My dad passed away recently and all of Uncle Frank's memorabilia is still being proudly displayed in my brother's home. My dad had displayed a key from the hotel and a personal drawing done by the same artist that drew Buster Brown. We also had many pictures of the hotel and the race cars. It was a great find to come across your books and dad enjoyed both the Vanderbilt Cup races and the Mineola edition. Thanks!

Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series: #11 Little Neck Road Motor Parkway Bridge in Queens

Mitch Kaften: "Thanks Howard. The picture at the top of the page shows the road having some sharp curves after it passes under the bridge. But the 1924 aerial makes it look like the road is very straight. Is it just the odd angle of the photo? Also, is the sign on the right an entrance sign of some kind? The aerial shows what looks to be an entrance road."

Howard Kroplick: "It is likely just a photo effect. The caption on the photo reads “Little Neck Parkway N. at Union Turnpike”. I tried to enlarge the sign to read the copy…without success."

Al Velocci: "I think I can shed some light on Mitch Kaften"s question regarding the sign on the right side of Little Neck Parkway. It is a street sign and in all likelihood says Shiloh Av. Prior to the building of Glen Oaks Village the area was laid out in a regular grid pattern and Shiloh Av., which is on the west side of Little Neck Parkway, was to run all the way to the Nassau County Line. The buildngs abutting the Motor Parkway on the east side of Little Neck Parkway front on what was to be Elkmont Av., which still exists on the west side of Little Neck Parkway. Look at maps of that part of Queens published before the late 1940's to get a better understanding of what the area looked like prior to the building of Glen Oaks Village."

Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series: #10 Commonwealth Boulevard Bridge in Queens

Tom: "Ahh wow, there was actually open space/land/farm land in Queens! Once upon a time. Cool shots."

Desmond McGlynn: "I have been following this blog since last summer, when I wondered about the first parkway was built in America. The first images I found were the bridges over 73rd St and Old Court House Rd. I was reminded of some ancient ruins and the more I explored on the net, the more fascinated I became. This is the best site. I use Google Maps many times. The old photos make it seem I am looking into another world. I have even read portions of the "Auction Block" by Rex Beach on line and have numerous bookmarks of the LIMP. Excellent dedication to something this historic."

CSI Challenge: Two Unidentified Photos from the Brookhaven Town Archives

Jim Wood: "This is an incredible road! How they raced it with cars from the era is amazing! I would love to try a run on any part of it!"

A Tampa Bay Automobile Museum Challenge: Help Identify This Front Wheel Drive Racer

Ivan Pozega: Louis Chevrolet built a front wheel drive Ford for the 1926 racing season but that car was powered by a supercharged sleeved down Model T engine with a Frontenac DO cylinder head and from all reports it retained the Model T frame. It was entered in the Indy 500 that year by the Hamlin-Holmes Motor Co. of Chicago IL. Jack McCarver qualified on the 9th row but lost a connecting rod on the 22nd lap and retired. Sometime during the year the car was crashed at a race in Detroit so i wonder if it was 're-chassied' after this. It continued to be raced, albeit unsuccessfully, and was still running in 1932 but by then it was called the Ray Day Piston Special. As far as I know, Hamlin-Holmes only built two cars. A touring model in 1919 that looked very much like a Model T Ford and in 1930, possibly the company's last year of existence, a front wheel drive 4 door sedan was built.

Was the “Man in the Leopard Coat” the Inspiration for Jay Gatsby?

Chad Riddle : "Just discovered recently, after my mother passed away, a large two-handle silver cup with the engraving "Compliments of Capt. W. Gould Brokaw to Captain Stephen W. Roach For Saving Schooner Viator And Crew On October 10, 1894". My mother was part of the Roach family...early ship-building magnates in the U.S."

Howard Kroplick: "According to the World Almanac, on October 10, 1894, "a severe storm played havoc with yachts. Dilemma, the first fin keel craft owned by Lathm A. Fish, was totally wrecked. Amazon, Blond and brunette, Hoodoo, Banshee, naphtha launch Florence and Phoebe were wrecked at New Rochelle and Larchmont." Here is a link to a photo of Viator .

Highlights from the First Annual Motor Parkway Parade

Wayne Duprez: "Great Day!!!! Cool But Fun!!!! Howard, thanks for promoting the past with all you do. We antique car owners appreciate your hard work."

Gary Glass: "Glad to say, my son and I were among those that attended. I am glad I was there to see everyone as well as your beautiful ALCO and to be part of the first parade."