Vanderbilt Cup Races

Comments, questions and insight from the 94,500 unique viewers of VanderbiltCupRaces have been greatly appreciated. A regular VanderbiltCupRaces.com CQI (Comments, Questions and Insights) post will now feature a sampling of feedback and sharing of information:

Friday, January 21, 2011: The Garden City Hotel in 1913

Cathy Ball-Smithtown Public Library: "Great information. Lawrence Butler of Smithtown, son of Cornelia and Prescott Hall Butler, and nephew of Stanford White (who was married to Cornelia’s sister Bessie) was the Butler in the architectural firm of Butler, Ford and Oliver. I will put this article of yours in our Long Island Room files at Smithtown. Thanks, Cathy Ball.

Sunday, January 23, 2011: Article “The ALCO Story: Distinctive, Durable, Doomed”

Walter McCarthy: " I thought it strange that one of the ALCO touring cars pictured had a NJ Manufacturer's license plate in that it was a Rhode Island company. I sent you a photo of a NJ manufacturer's plate in my collection. Actually an interesting color!"

Thursday, 1/20/11: From the Ridolph Collection: The Motor Parkway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Jeff Becker: "Very interesting. Would it not be possible for you to get access for educational purposes just to see it today?

Howard Kroplick Question: "Can anyone help gain access to the Melville sandpits?"

Tuesday, January 18, 2011:A Family Remembers A Vanderbilt Cup Race Driver- Wilhelm (William) Luttgen

RLR: "Thanks so much for an amazing story!"

Rich Lee- Great Grandson of Frank Lee: "I very much enjoyed your story,he never gave up and apparently had givin great thought about the situation at hand. He reflected a take charge and step up to the plate attitude, and the biggest of all :“A man’s word is his bond.” Seals a deal like no other. Thanks for sharing."

Sunday, January 16, 2011: Life Magazine Automobile Cartoon Series #1: 1901 to 1908

Richard Hendrickson: "I loved the cartoons, but I can’t help but think that the 1908 image in the “1906, 1907, 1908” panel resembles the posture of a current Formula 1 driver.

Dr. Jack Binder: "Great cartoons! You are having fun and making a lot of people happy also."

Saturday, January 15, 2011: The American Mercedes Manufactured in Astoria Queens

Walter McCarthy: "Here is that same American Mercedes pictured in the article on your site at a Long Island Old Car Club meet in 1947. At the time here in America it was owned by Mike Bonsera a club member. As can be seen in these two photos that wheels were cut down as they were on many cars back then as many tire sizes were unavailable. It is good to see that the museum in Germany finally gave the car a proper restoration as they had it for a number of years with the wheels still cut down."

Chris Patti: "I believe that the bodies were made by Steinway & Son’s pianos also located in Astoria next door to the Mercedes plant. IIRC, there was a personal connection between the Steinway’s and the Daimler family."

Tom Orlando: "I worked in a building years ago and they told of the Steinway pianos but also of turntables for vehicles. They also mentioned coaches, quite possible the same plant in article as spaces took up entire block .I will try to locate the address for you." Tom O. Enymga club

Robert Luttgen: "Unfortunately the article in The Star is incomplete. To further complicate things, I will point to an article entitled “Keene may not race” from the Sept. 25, 1906 NY Times. It mentions the “Mercedes Import Company”, and identifies a Robert E. Fulton as the “Mercedes manager in this country”. If I am correct, Foxhall Keene’s Mercedes, which was the subject of the article, was purchased that day by George McKesson Brown. He employed my grandfather, William Luttgen to drive the #7 Mercedes in the 1906 race...."

Elliot Zolin: "We have spoken a few times and met once or twice. Not sure what I can offer but would certainly like to sit with other folks interested in the Parkway and see what might be done."

Walt Gosden: "Count me in, let me know what I can do. Let’s do it for Wille K!

Andy Hartwell: "I would like to help in some way. I’m still living on the island and I have developed a real interest in the history of the VMP through your website postings and alerts. I’d like to help somehow with getting this bridge cleaned up and turned into another attraction within the Old Bethpage Village Restoration compound."

Art K.: "Howard - definitely count me in for the February get together and any clean-up efforts at the Old Bethpage site or anywhere else. "

Steve Lucas: "I’ve seen many pieces of the road fall to the wrecker’s ball over the past half century. Please count me in with your “Call To Action” regarding the Bethpage bridge. Keep up the good work.

Chris G: "Count me in."

Frank F.: "It would be nice to see this bridge intact and operational someday as part of a 45 mi bike path back to the past. Count me in.

Howard Kroplick: Hold the Date: The Long Island Motor Parkway Panel will be meeting on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at the Bonwit Inn, 1 Vanderbilt Parkway, Commack, beginning at 7:00 PM. Everyone interested in the Long Island Motor Parkway is invited to attend. Please RSVP at [email protected] .

Friday, December 31, 2010: Exclusive: Starting Lineup for the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Jr. Gilmore: "Great site, Howard. I’ve been checking back often to see if the Jimmy Snyder #43 MRL SPL photo is ever updated/corrected. Image shown is the program cover. Would love to see it."

Howard Kroplick Question: "Can anyone help find the missing photos?"

Friday, December 17, 2010: The Bethpage Challenge Part II: Building the Central Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge

Joe Oesterle: "Awesome Job Howard. Thank you so much for all your work. These pictures are priceless. Back in 1990 or so I knew a guy who worked for the MTA Transportation Planning Department. He had many old hand written surveys. He had one from the exact spot where the LIRR crossed. A small arrow pointed to the bridge. It said, "Removed, 1950." "

Saturday, November 14, 2009: John Walter Christie: Front-Wheel Drive Pioneer

Bill Christie: "J Walter Christie was indeed a visionary mechanical genius. Although not blessed with long term financial success, his inventive mind and fabricational skills contributed substantially to numerous developments which have changed the course of history. As a diehard automobile buff, I am particularly impressed with his pioneering efforts with front wheel drive. I was told a Christie fire rig is on display in New Jersey, possibly Hoboken. Do you have any information concerning survivors-either automotive or fire apparatus?

Howard Kroplick Questions: "Does anyone know of any Christie survivor cars? Are there other members of the Christie family that read VanderbiltCupRaces.com ?"

Saturday, August 8, 2009: The 1965 Vanderbilt Cup Race at the Bridgehampton Race Circuit

Arthur M: "I watched the ‘65 Bridge race and it brought it all back to me. I was there as a spectator for the last time and spoke with Jim Hall that day. He totally psyched me such that I went out and bought a race car, went to driver’s school at the Bridge and a year and a half later I was out on the track with him and all the big boys in the Daytona 24 hour. I ended up racing for 15 or 20 years and loved every minute of it. The Bridge was a gas. For a couple of years I was a director of NY Reg SCCA and am still a member. This is my 45th consecutive year. I never was a great driver, but I was pretty good. I won a lot of regionals, a few nationals and got some trophies and checks in Trans Ams and Continentals, but I always had a good time. I was lucky to have done it when it was almost affordable, though my ex-wife sure didn’t think so. I love your films. Thanks for the memories."

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