Mystery Foto #50 Maybe Solved: Two Thomas racers being prepared for the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Did you solve this weekend's Mystery Foto?
Answers to the Mystery Foto questions:
Identify:
- The manufacturer and year of the two race cars. Provide a rationale.
Maybe 1908 Thomas racers
- What race were the two race cars being prepared for?
Possibly the #12 and #19 Thomas that participated in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. However, the number 12 in the Mystery Foto does not match the number 12 Thomas seen racing in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race.
- The driver for the #12 racer.
Maybe George Saltzman.
Kudos question: The location for the Mystery Foto
Unknown. I have never seen this garage in any other Vanderbilt Cup Race photo.
Comments (3)
Congrats and kudos to Greg O. and Steve Lucas who believe the mystery autos were Thomas racers.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
Close-Ups
#12 Thomas
#19 Thomas
Comments
My guess on these is that they’re the #12 and 19 Thomas racers in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race at the team’s Krug’s Corner HQ. George Salzman was the driver for the 110hp #12 Thomas.
My rational:
The radiator, cap, suspension components, Leaf spring connection points, all match. Most compelling is the ‘V’ shaped frame cross member in front of the radiator (added support for the starter crank as well) that is unique to the Thomas.
The numbers have appeared to be repainted before the actual race, with the race photo numbers looking more quickly put on as compared to the more carefully painted mystery photo numbers.
Assuming both cars were from the same manufacturer and were being prepped for the same race, it could only be 1906 Itala or 1908 Thomas racers. Since the additional photo looks like it might be the garage area of Krug’s Hotel, Mineola on the corner of Jericho Turnpike and Willis Avenue, I’m going with Thomas racers since Krug’s was their headquarters for the 1908 V.C.R. and probable site of the photo. The #12 car was driven by George Salzman.
The motor has the same triangular plates on the side as the 1906 Thomas racer.
Failed to answer the Mystery. First glance, the photo with #12 exiting the garage area likely to be Krugs Corner’s back-yard garages. Photos below. #12 may have experienced a radiator replacement, prompting an immediate redux of the # “12”
Frank, Your photo of the 1906 Corbin automobile at Krug’s Hotel. They wouldn’t got that far if it wasn’t for the sheriff. The vehicle lacks at least the front Ct. license plate.