VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Unpublished Long Island Automotive Museum Photos from 1958 to 1962 Part 3
Today's article showcases more never-before-published color slides from Richard Weir of the Long Island Automotive Museum. These photos capture what it was like when visiting Henry Austin Clark Jr.'s Museum of Historic Automobiles in 1962. In addition to the previously unseen images, this series of articles provides an update to our ongoing LIAM postcard series and an updated database on where some of these cars are today. If you haven't already read Part 1 and Part 2, you can find the articles here.
By Gram Spina
1925 Bugatti Type 35
This Bugatti is one of the most memorable cars ever on display at the Long Island Automotive Museum, and in fact, it is the car that visitors most often remember. The sign claims that this Bugatti is from 1926, but after researching our archives, we believe that date is likely a typo.
While we do not have a postcard for this vehicle, the Bugatti shown here is the same one that Austin Clark purchased at auction from its original owner, Wallis C. Bird of Locust Valley.
In 2017 Gooding & Co. sold the formal Wallis C. Bird/Henry Austin Clark Jr. 1925 Bugatti for $3.3 million. Today, this historic car — truly a work of art — can be found in the Brumos Collection Museum in Jacksonville, Florida.
Photo credit Gooding & Co.
1912 American-La France Fire Truck
Easily one of the largest vehicles from the Long Island Automotive Museum property, the 1912 American-La France Hook and Ladder fire truck captured the heart of every child — and adult — who saw and admired it.
This fire truck was bought new in 1912 by the Village of Southampton for its fire department and was retired from service in 1947.
The American-La France was then presented to the Long Island Automotive Museum on opening day, August 27th, 1948.
Here is the postcard of the 1912 American-La France Hook and Ladder fire truck. This image showcases the sheer size and scale of the vehicle.
Today, I am happy to report that the 1912 American-La France is still around and in the Southampton area. The image shown here is from a parade organized to celebrate the birthday of a 90-year-old Southampton fire department member.
The news article discusses this fire truck's history and information about the birthday parade.
Photo credit Taylor K. Vecsey
1912 Autocar 2-cylinder Hotel Bus
Significantly different from modern-day buses, this vehicle was produced by the Autocar company in 1912. The design is boxy and almost resembles a horse carriage, but don't be fooled — this bus was powered by a two-cylinder engine that sends power to the rear wheels.
The postcard image (photographed by Henry Austin Clark Jr.) shows the 1912 Autocar bus in all its glory. Austin Clark had multiple antique public transportation vehicles, this Autocar is just one example, and even by today's standards, they are impressive to admire.
The Autocar was last seen for sale on Hemmings.com in 2011. In the listing photograph, the paint job is nearly the same as when Austin Clark owned it. The seller mentioned, "It comes with documented provenance dating back to the late 1940s, owned by Henry Austin Clark Jr. of NYC. Autocar and body provenance. A well-preserved and running vehicle of Americana that has survived the last 100 years."
It is unknown who purchased this Autocar and where it is today. However, it is nice to know that it is likely still around.
1935 Hispano-Suza Covetable Coupe
Manufactured by the French, this 1935 Hispano-Suza is powered by a 6-cylinder engine. When new, this Hispano-Suza was marketed to potential customers as a short-wheelbase luxury convertible.
One of many French vehicles featured in Austin Clark's series of postcards, the 1935 Hispano-Suza is shown here in an eye-catching color combination of silver and red.
Sadly, it is not currently known where this vehicle is today. It was last publicly seen when Austin Clark sold it during a 1963 auction in an effort to raise money to keep the beloved Long Island Automotive Museum open. The Hispano-Suza sold for $4,000 in the auction.
This concludes Part 3 of our new series of uncovering the photos that Richard Weir took during his visits to the Long Island Automotive Museum. Part 4 is coming soon; as always, we love hearing our readers' feedback in the comments.
Comments
It’s becoming hard to actually realize that I only visited the museum once for a short afternoon with my Mom, Dad and Brother. All of the cars and the postcards seem so vivid on recall. I’m so thrilled my son Gram is doing such a deep, archival dive on every car and every aspect of the museum. All I can say is… MORE MORE MORE!
Wow! This is the best look into these rare photos yet! I love that you are trying to track down all the autos that were once in the museum. Sure hope they are all in good homes.
Another great visit to the LIAM, thank you Gram for all of your work. I will second the request for all that you can do on this subject….most enjoyable. I am attaching pictures of a postcard for the Type 35 Bugatti, one of many collected on visits to the museum.
Wow! thanks Lee Irwin. we did not come across that post card in our collection (or researching online) anywhere! great to see that Austin Clark had one made for his Bugatti. thanks for sharing!
Gram, I also have a short article on the Autocar Hotel bus that Mr. Clark wrote for a local newspaper many years ago. I would be glad to share if it is of interest.