The Vanderbilt Cup Races

Panhard #7 (1904)

The American #6 Pope-Toledo and the French #7 Panhard (1904)

Courtesy of The Helck Family Collection

Each race car carried two men, the driver and a mechanic called a riding mechanician. The mechanician assisted with repairs, helped navigate the course, and worked a hand pump to maintain oil pressure. Outclassed by the Europeans’ powerful racers, some with large 90-hp engines, the five American starters included modified touring cars such as 24-hp #6 Pope-Toledo driven by Herb Lytle. Following the Pope-Toledo was the French 90-hp #7 Panhard driven by George Heath.

The French #7 Panhard Taking the Massapequa Turn (1904)

Courtesy of The Helck Family Collection

During lap three, George Heath’s #7 Panhard was in second place when he took the Massapequa Turn. Before the race, Heath’s Panhard was one of the favorites to win.

George Heath Wins Averaging 52.2 MPH (1904)

Courtesy of The National Automotive History Collection at the Detroit Public Library

One of the most noteworthy photographers of the early 20th Century, Russian immigrant Nathan Lazarnick captured the winning moment of the race. After six hours, 56 minutes, and 45 seconds, George Heath’s Panhard was the first car over the finish line, averaging 52.2 mph. Only one minute and 26 seconds behind in total time, the Clement-Bayard finished in second place. With the two leaders having completed the race, the crowds near the grandstand swarmed onto the course. Fearful for the lives of the spectators and drivers, the race was stopped. When the race was called, the American Pope-Toledo driven by Herb Lytle was in third place.

Profile of the Winner George Heath (1904)

Courtesy of The Henry Ford

Born in America and a British citizen living in Paris, George Heath had the greatest year of his racing career in 1904. The Panhard employee not only won the Vanderbilt Cup, but also claimed victory in the 1904 Circuit des Ardennes in Belgium in July. After winning the first Vanderbilt Cup Race, Heath said “My control of my machine is instinctive. I know at all times just what speed I am making. Constant practice enables me to do these things. I like to travel fast, and I like to handle my car at great speed.”

Featured Cars

Feature

The 128-page book by Howard Kroplick, a researcher and lecturer on the races, contains rare images of the races from the archives of major museums, libraries and private collectors. The book Vanderbilt Cup Races of Long Island will be available from Arcadia Publishing in March 2008.

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