The New York Times Article: “Mechanical Wonder From an Age Gone By”
Check out the special Automobiles section in today's New York Times. John Hanc has written this wonderful article "Mechanical Wonder From an Age Gone By". Here's a highlight:
Mechanical Wonder From an Age Gone By
By JOHN HANC
Published in The New York Times: October 13, 2011
LONG, strong and dangerous, like a gun barrel mounted on spoke wheels, the coal-black 1909 Alco-6 Racer gleams in the late summer sunlight.
Nicknamed “the Black Beast,” this was one of the most famous race cars of its era. A two-time winner of the Vanderbilt Cup, a major event in the early years of American motorsport, the car was the favorite to win the first Indianapolis 500-mile race in 1911. (It blew a rod, however, and finished 33rd in a field of 40.)
A century later, the 3,306-pound Black Beast still exhibits its own form of animal magnetism. Sitting outside its garage in the quaint Long Island town of Roslyn, the restored car draws stares, smiles, oohs and aahs from passers-by. Especially when its owner, Howard Kroplick, natty in early 20th-century racing garb, starts the Beast’s six-cylinder, 680.8-cubic-inch engine — an Industrial Age wonder of cast iron, brass and copper wiring.
Smoke spurting from the three exhaust pipes on the side, the 11-foot chassis pulsating with power, the Black Beast is ready to take a spin.
Links to related posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com:
Archives: Alco-6 Black Beast Racer
May 29, 2011: Archives: Videos -Alco Black Beast at the 2011 Indy 500 Parade Lap
May 29, 2011: Archives: 2011 Indy 500 Centennial Celebration
The following post on the Old Bethpage Motor Parkway Bridge was posted on PreWarCar.com:
Got any plans this weekend?
No plans? Well, if you live near, it might be a good idea help clean the Old Bethpage Bridge.
This is a part of the Long Island Motor Parkway where the Vanderbilt Cup races used to be held. Recently this place has become a dump for crop waste and this pile just keeps on growing. The bridge was also visited by ‘graffiti artists’, but they actually protected the surface of the concrete facade by applying a base coat. It just needs a bucket of gray paint and two rollers. So why not lend a helping hand? See here for more information!
The Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society with the cooperation of the Old Bethpage Village Restoration has announced a clean-up day for Saturday, October 15, 2011 beginning at 9:00 am. Heavy equipment has been volunteered to clear a path to remove debris.
Please bring shovels, rakes, shrub cutting tools and portable chain-saws. We will meet in the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Parking Lot at 9:00 am. For early risers, join us for breakfast at the Plainview Diner, 1094 Old Country Road at Plainview Road, at 8:00 am. All are welcome!
Links to related posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com and the Internet:
Archives: Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge
Archives: Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society
Index: Archives on VanderbiltCupRaces.com
Comments
From Michael S:
“Imagine my surprise over my morning cup of coffee, when I see the article about you in the NY Times today! Congratulations!
By the way, I love your Vanderbilt feeds. Don’t always have time to read them all, but exceedingly well done and very informative!”
From Vera S:
“Great spread and photos of you and the ALCO in the New York Times ! Congratulations on all the accolades for you and No. 8.”
From Jerry K:
“Janet and I enjoyed reading your article in today`s Times. Congratulations and continued success with the car.”