Louis Chevrolet
Louis Chevrolet Makes His American Debut (1905)
Another F.I.A.T. was driven by a novice Swiss-born driver whose name would eventually become one of the most famous brands in American car history ─Louis Chevrolet. Known for his daring and sometimes reckless racing style, Chevrolet completely destroyed his 110-hp F.I.A.T. the Monday before the race in a practice run. Uninjured, Chevrolet used a back-up 90-hp car for the race.
Louis Chevrolet in the Italian #16 F.I.A.T. in Old Westbury (1905)
As Louis Chevrolet in his 90-hp #16 F.I.A.T. made the Guinea Woods Turn on lap seven, he stood in tenth place. His car was soon out of the race as he ran into a telegraph pole at the “S” Curve at Willis Avenue and I.U. Willets Road in Albertson.
Chevrolet’s Crashed Marquette-Buick (1910)
Early leader Louis Chevrolet’s race ended on lap 16 in spectacular if inglorious fashion with his Marquette-Buick upside down near the front porch of a Hicksville home at Old Country Road. Chevrolet dominated the race in the early stages with his third lap the fastest of the race at 75 mph.
The Touring Car Hit by Chevrolet (1910)
Chevrolet’s car rocketed off the course through a ditch and into a touring car parked in an adjacent yard. Three women were in the car (shown above) and, amazingly, none were seriously injured. Chevrolet was thrown clear of the accident, the fall inflicting a broken arm but no life threatening injuries. However, his mechanician Charles Miller was pinned under the heavy racer and died on the scene.
Featured Drivers
- George Arents, Jr.
- William Borque
- Louis Chevrolet
- J. Walter Christie
- David Bruce-Brown
- Albert Clement, Jr.
- Bert Dingley
- Arthur Duray
- Lee Frayer
- Harry Grant
- George Heath
- Victor Hemery
- Foxhall Keene
- Billy Knipper
- Vincenzo Lancia
- William Luttgen
- Herb Lytle
- Felice Nazzaro
- Edward Parker
- Al Poole
- Eddie Rickenbacker
- George Robertson
- Charles Schmidt
- Elliot Shepard
- Emil Stricker
- George Teste
- Joe Tracy
- Louis Wagner
- A.C. Webb
- Walter White
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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