Vanderbilt Cup Races

The First Vanderbilt Cup Race

The Origins of the "Great Race"

". . . improving American automobiles and the stuff they're made of . . ."

30 Miles of Country Roads

". . . it was pretty far out of town as motoring in those days went . . ."

The course of the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

Getting to the Races

". . . glow-worms in single file trekking to the races."

After a tiresome ride to the race, several spectators attempted to take a nap before the race began!

The System Called for Nourishment

". . . and many a hamper was opened - and many a bottle . . ."

A refreshment stand served the spectators of the race. 

Finally The Crowds Cried "Car Coming"

"The dashing Europeans with the famous makes . . . The American cars - were meek and lowly and somewhat overshadowed . . ."

Willie K. Answers Sharpes' Questions

How It All Started

Willie K.: "I had done a great deal of motoring abroad, and had seen the effect of racing competitions on the foreign cars. Foreign cars then seemed to be always about five years ahead of the American cars."

Willie K.: "If something could be done to induce the leading foreign makers to race in this country, our manufacturers would benefit by it."

Opposition to the Race

Reporter C.E.T. Scharps: "It just didn't seen like the Vanderbilt Cup Race when it was taken away from Long Island, did it Mr. Vanderbilt?"

Willie K: "No, And it did seem that about all that could be hoped for had been accomplished, so it was a fitting moment to end the series of races."

Where Is the Cup?

Reporter Sharpe offered his opinion on the races and the cup.

The Smithsonian?

Willie K. donated the cup to the Smithsonian in 1934 after being asked by C.G. Abbott, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.  This is Willie's initial response. 

And here is the confirmation that the Smithsonian actually recieved the trophy. 

From the Smithsonian's website.   

Howard K. and Stephanie Gress, Director of Curatorial Affairs of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum visited the cup at the Smithsonian's storage facility in Maryland in 2009.   But where is it now?  According to a caption on the Smithsonian website, the cup is on loan.  But to whom and where?   Howard, Greg and Gram - is that why the Waterfront needs more space?  I do have space in my office in NC if the cup is looking for a home.   Perhaps 6 months on Long Island and 6 months in NC!

By the time this article was written, Willie K. had moved on from his passion for the Vanderbilt Cup Races and The Long Island Motor Parkway but his early commitment to both endeavors will always be a significant part of automobile history. 

The Vanderbilt Cup Trophy has been taken out of storage and is currently on display at the “Nation of Speed” exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.