Vanderbilt Cup Races

Related Posts

• May 20 2013

  Mystery Foto Friday #16 Solved: A 2013 Photo of a Model of Old 16 Locomobile

  This trick Mystery Foto has been solved: It is a 2013 black and white photo of a scratch-built model of "Old 16" built by Frank Schaeffer.

• May 18 2013

  In Search of the Grandstand, Press Box/Officials Stand and Pits in Levittown

  From 1908 to 1910, the center of the auto racing world was a 200-yard strip of the Long Island Motor Parkway in the Hempstead Plains, now Levittown.

• May 14 2013

  Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup Sold on eBay for $2,300

  The small Locomobile Vanderbilt Cups is one of the most collectible of Vanderbilia. A Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup was sold on EBay last week for $2,300.

• Apr 16 2013

  Article “1908: The Great American Auto Race Comes to Syosset/Woodbury” By Tom Montalbano

  Tom Montalbano, author of the the Arcadia book "Syosset", has written this excellent article on the impact of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race on Syosset and Woodbury.

• Mar 23 2013

  Then & Now: Massapequa Road During the 1908-1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races

  The intersection of Massapequa-Hicksville Road and the Long Island Motor Parkway was a favorite location for watching for watching the 1908, 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races.

• Feb 25 2013

  Mystery Photo Solved #3: The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race on Ellison Road (Avenue) in Westbury

  Last Friday's mystery photos of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race were courtesy of the Witmer Photograph Collection of the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society in Port Washington.

• Feb 12 2013

  Article: “The Cup Races- Recollections of 1904-1905-1906” by Joe Tracy

  VanderbiltCupRaces.com contributor Walter McCarthy has forwarded this July 1944 article by driver Joe Tracy published in Veteran Motor Car Club of America's Bulb Horn. Illustrations were provided by the prominent artist Peter Helck.

• Jan 14 2013

  Three Amazing Photos from the Starting Line of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Three amazing photos of cars preparing for the start of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. Courtesy of Paul Osik.

• Aug 20 2012

  Then & Now: The Woodbury Turn of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Part II

  The closest the Vanderbilt Cup Race courses of Long Island Island ever came to Suffolk County was the Woodbury Turn at the intersection of Woodbury Road and Jericho Turnpike.

• Aug 08 2012

  Hold the Date 10/3/2012: Public Hearing on Rezoning the Site of the Levittown Grandstand & Press Box

  On Wednesday, October 3, 2012, Crocus Lane Estates, LLC and Josato, Inc will be petitioning the Hempstead Town Board to rezone the Levittown property on the former location of the Long Island Motor Parkway and Vanderbilt Cup Race grandstand and press box.

• Aug 06 2012

  Race Profile: The 1905 American Elimination Trial

  According to the Vanderbilt Cup Race rules, America could enter a maximum of five automobiles in the 1905 race. On September 23, 1905, the American Elimination Trial was held to determine the five entries from 12 American candidates.

• Jul 19 2012

  The Three Benz in the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  A total of three and possibly four Benz participated in the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race driven by George Robertson, Eddie Hearne, Franz Heim and David Bruce-Brown.

• Jul 06 2012

  Race Profile: The 1906 American Elimination Trial

  As in 1905, an American Elimination Trial determined the five racers to represent the United States in the Vanderbilt Cup Race. Of 16 entries, 12 cars survived the practice runs to race on Saturday, September 22, 1906.

• Jun 13 2012

  Developer Makes His Case for a Multiple-Family Housing Complex on the Historic Motor Parkway

  A standing-room only crowd at the Levittown Property Owners Association Meeting on Tuesday heard a developer's representative make his case for building senior housing development on a historic section of the Long Island Motor Parkway.

• May 30 2012

  Model of “Old 16” Locomobile Does Not Sell on eBay

  A model of "Old 16" by artist Richard Feil was auctioned on EBay on May 31, 2012. However, no one met the reserve of $8,500.

• May 01 2012

  Newsday Update: “Jericho’s Maine Maid Inn gets landmark status”

  Reporter Bill Bleyer reported in Newsday today that the Oyster Bay Town Board has designated the Maine Maid Inn as a landmark.

• Apr 06 2012

  Fred Wagner- The Official Starter of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

  Fred Wagner was the official starter of all the Vanderbilt Cup Races with the exception of the 1904 race. Accordingly, Wagner was the "Zelig" of early racing and captured in hundreds of photos. Here are my some of my favorites.

• Feb 02 2012

  Three Vanderbilt Cup Race Winners Together in 1936

  David Greenlees' Oldmotor.com website has posted this photo taken prior to the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race. I believe it may be the only image of three Vanderbilt Cup Race winners together.

• Jan 28 2012

  George Robertson’s Last Drive

  After skipping the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race, the 1908 winner George Robertson was preparing for a triumphant return in the 1910 Race driving a Benz. His hopes for a repeat win and his future racing career were dashed with one of the strangest accidents in Vanderbilt Cup Race history.

• Jan 21 2012

  From the Malcolm Collum Collection: More Classic Images of “Old 16”

  When he was conservator at the Henry Ford Museum, Malcolm Collum was responsible for the care and maintenance of "Old 16". Now chief conservator at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, Malcolm is sharing six classic "Old 16" images on VanderbiltCupRaces.com: :

• Jan 17 2012

  Classic Photos of “Old 16” Locomobile

  The most photographed car in all the Vanderbilt Cup Races was the 1908 winner "Old 16" Locomobile. Among my collection of over 250 "Old 16" images, these are ten of my favorites taken during the race:

• Jan 07 2012

  From the Walter McCarthy Collection: Old 16 at the 1988 Vanderbilt Cup Race Celebration

  VanderbiltCupRaces.com contributor Walter McCarthy has been restoring, collecting and showing vintage automobiles and trucks on Long Island for over 50 years. During this period , Walter has recorded hundreds of vintage car events via photos, slides and films. He has agreed to share these treasures on this website throughout 2012.…

• Dec 30 2011

  Archives: Old 16 Locomobile

  Below are related links to Old 16 Locomobile on VanderbiltCupRaces.com (Updated: February 1, 2012):

• Dec 19 2011

  Article “The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race” by Peter Helck

  For the 1948 Veteran Motor Club of America Antique Auto Show, prominent artist Peter Helck, then owner of "Old 16", wrote an article on the Vanderbilt Cup Races for the official program. Supplemented by photos from the book "Vanderbilt Cup Races of Long Island", this is Helck's colorful description of…

• Nov 26 2011

  Film “The Greatest Vintage Automobile Event Ever Held on Long Island”

  In my opinion, the greatest vintage automobile event ever held on Long Island occurred on October 9, 1954 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Vanderbilt Cup Race. The event was organized by Long Island Old Car Club and the Mineola Fair and Industrial Exposition.

• Nov 19 2011

  The 50th Anniversary of the First Vanderbilt Cup Race on October 9, 1954

  The Vanderbilt Cup Races have been celebrated by vintage car clubs and historical organizations for over 75 years. The grandest and most memorable celebration was held on Long Island on October 9, 1954, marking the 50th anniversary of the first Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• Aug 27 2011

  A Tribute to the Mechanicians of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

  Every race car that participated in the Vanderbilt Cup Races of 1904 to 1910 carried two men, the driver and a riding mechanic called a mechanician. The mechanician assisted with repairs, helped navigate the course, and, when needed, worked a hand pump to maintain fuel pressure. The mechanician was the…

• Aug 13 2011

  Collectorsweekly.com Show & Tell: The Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup Race Poster

  Last week Mark L. posted this request for information on Collectorsweekly.com Show & Tell and VanderbiltCupRaces.com .

• Jun 30 2011

  Archives: George Robertson

  Links related to George Robertson on VanderbiltCupRaces.com (Updated: January 1, 2012):

• Dec 23 2010

  Prominent Women of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

  The daybreak start of the Vanderbilt Cup Races attracted thousands of adventurous men and women who streamed into Long Island from New York City. With hotels and roadhouses overflowing, they camped, gambled, drank, socialized, and established a tradition of revelry that became a hallmark of the event. Women made up…

• Dec 04 2010

  The Mystery Segments in the Film “Old 16- An American Legend”

  The November 14th post -1997 Exhibit and Film “Old 16- An American Legend”- recorded the second highest daily viewership in VanderbiltCupRaces.com history. The primary attraction was the exhibit's film on Old 16 narrated by Paul Newman.

• Nov 06 2010

  From the Robertson Family Files: George Robertson’s Red Cross Career

  The following email and documents have been received from Peter H. Shriver, the grandson of George Robertson, winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• Aug 01 2010

  Archives: 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Links to related posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com (Updated: December 31, 2011):

• Jun 23 2010

  Then & Now: The Railroad Bridge on Ellison Road in Westbury

  One of the most spectacular vantage points of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race course was the Long Island Rail Road Bridge on Ellison Road in Westbury. Drivers mounting the sharp grade of the bridge would often find the wheels of their cars lifting off the road as if they…

• Jun 09 2010

  The Five Drivers in the 1940 Mystery Photo

  Congratulations to Michael Ferner of Bitburg, Germany for correctly identifying the drivers in VanderbiltCupRaces.com's first Mystery Photo Contest. Here are the five drivers who posed at an Automobile Oldtimers Club meeting in November 1940.

• Feb 28 2010

  The Amazing and Continuing Saga of the 1906 Locomobile Twins- Part II

  In response to Dean B's email, last Sunday, I started the story of the 1906 Locomobile twins. Here's a recap and Part II.

• Feb 27 2010

  The Amazing and Continuing Saga of the 1906 Locomobile Twins- Part I

  Dean, thanks for forwarding your neighbor's recollection and for asking the question. I have heard the story of the discarded Locomobiles....from articles by Peter Helck (1893-1988), the great American artist and former owner of the "Old 16" Locomobile. But, let's start at the beginning.

• Feb 18 2010

  Then & Now: The Locomobile Factory in Bridgeport

  Old 16, the first American car to win a Vanderbilt Cup Race, was manufactured directly across the Long Island Sound in Bridgeport. Here are some photos of the Locomobile factory, one of the largest automobile manufacturing plants of its era. Remember to click on the photo to…

• Feb 06 2010

  Starting Lineup: The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  These are the 17 cars that raced in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race held on October 24, 1908. The race was run over a 23.46 mile course including 8 miles of the Long Island Motor Parkway. The winner needed to complete 11 laps of the course…

• Jan 24 2010

  Five Locomobiles with Vanderbilt Cup Mascots

  Some of the most sought after Vanderbilia are the Vanderbilt Cup radiator mascots and sterling silver banquet favors issued by the Locomobile Company to celebrate their victory in the 1908 race. These five 1909 and 1910 Locomobile vehicles proudly displayed their Vanderbilt Cup radiator mascots:

• Dec 15 2009

  Starting Lineup: The 1905 American Elimination Trial

  Twelve cars were scheduled to compete in the 1905 American Elimination Trial. The race was held on September 23, 1905 to help determine the five American entrants for the Vanderbilt Cup Race:

• Sep 17 2009

  An Amazing Discovery from the Pickering Collection-The 1906 #10 Apperson

  William Pickering was one of the earliest Long Island photographers documenting many of the people, buildings and events in Nassau County including the Vanderbilt Cup Races. On Wednesday, Catherine Pickering and I examined her collection of photos and postcards created by her grandfather. The above unmarked photo of a car…

• Jun 23 2009

  Vanderbilt Cup Race Drivers on the Broadway Stage in 1906

  Last week, a photo was posted of Elsie Janis on stage for the 1906 musical The Vanderbilt Cup. The above recently restored photo was taken during the same night as the drivers and mechanicians posed with Elsie Janis after the show.

• Oct 23 2008

  Highlights of the Vanderbilt Cup Race Centennial Celebrations

  Over the last two weeks, there have been several wonderful centennial celebrations for the historic Long Island Motor Parkway and the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. Here are highlights:

• Aug 11 2008

  The Locomobile Paperweight Cup and Radiator Mascot

  In celebration of their victory in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race, Locomobile offered miniature versions of the cup; a radiator mascot for $2.25 and a paperweight for $1.50.It was reported that Locomobile also provided special silver versions of the cup to the driving team and executives at the November…

• Jun 23 2008

  Driver Profile: George Robertson

  A profile of the first American driver to win the Vanderbilt Cup Race in an American car.