At the turn of the 20th century the superiority of European automotive craftsmanship cast a long shadow over America’s fledgling car industry. To encourage American automobile manufacturers to challenge European quality, 26-year old William K. Vanderbilt Jr., heir to a railroad fortune and a pioneer race car driver, organized America’s first international road race, modeled after those held in Europe. The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day. These colorful, exciting, and dangerous races drew huge crowds from 25,000 to over 250,000 spectators.
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Request from Penny: " I am looking for information on a car pictured in the Westbury Turn. I believe it is in 1909. The image has two words at the bottom 'Parker Fiat' and the radiator features a large black '14'. Any information you could give me on this vehicle, driver, and mechanician would be greatly appreciated."
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