Mystery Foto #42 Solved: A 1915 autographed photo from Ralph DePalma to his “good friend” Peter Helck
The Helck Family Collection challenged you to identify this weekend's Mystery Foto.
Answers to the Mystery Foto questions:
Identify:
- The driver and his link to the Vanderbilt Cup Races
Ralph DePalma drove a Mercedes in four Vanderbilt Cup Races (1911,1912,1914 and 1915). DePalma won the 1912 and 1914 races.
- The race car
#2 Mercedes that won the 1915 Indy 500.
- The location, race and approximate date of the Mystery Foto
Indianapolis Speedway, 1915 Indy 500, May 1915.
Comments (3)
Congrats and Kudos to Greg O. for solving the Mystery Foto.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
Ralph DePalma's signature
May 24, 1950 letter from Ralph DePalma to Peter Helck that accompanied the signed photo.
Close-Ups
Comments
Ralph DePalma with his first place winning #2 Mercedes at the 1915 Indy 500 on May 31st.
Ralpha DePalma drove Mercedes racers in four Vanderbilt Cup Races, winning in 1912 and 1914:
1911 Vanderbilt Cup Race (Savannah): Drove the #10 Mercedes. Finished 2nd.
1912 Vanderbilt Cup Race (Milwaukee):Drove the #22 Mercedes. Finished 1st.
1914 Vanderbilt Cup Race (Santa Monica): Drove the #12 Mercedes. Finished 1st.
1915 Vanderbilt Cup Race (San Francisco): Drove the #22 Mercedes. Finished 4th.
Below:
In the #2 Mercedes and taking the checkered flag at the 1915 Indy finish line.
Another photo of DePalma in the #2 Mercedes as well as 2 Helck paintings.
Tried all week-end to research but came up empty. Looking forward to the answer.
The Mercedes had a interesting steering wheel design that was use in later years everyday cars.