Vanderbilt Cup Races

Fifth FIVA Pan-European Conference for Automotive History - the leading conference on automotive history and related heritage.

18–20 September 2026 | Norwegian Roads Museum, near Lillehammer, Norway

You are warmly invited to the Fifth Pan-European Conference for Automotive History, organised by FIVA in cooperation with the Norwegian Federation for Historic Vehicles (LMK) and hosted at the Norwegian Roads Museum.

This biennial conference was originally masterminded by the late Anders Ditlev Clausager together with Thomas Ulrich and today is this leading international forum brings together historians, researchers, curators, authors, professionals, and passionate enthusiasts to share knowledge, present new research, and engage in high-level discussion on the cultural, social, and technological history of mobility.

Historian and author Howard Kroplick will be one of the featured speakers at the conference on the topic "The Vanderbilt Cup Races: America's First International Road Races".

8/9/2026 Update: Program Preview from FIVA

Programme preview

The detailed programme will be published shortly. The first confirmed presentations already show the broad and fascinating range of topics that will be addressed at the conference.

Howard Kroplick | USA

The Vanderbilt Cup Races and the Long Island Motor Parkway

Howard Kroplick is one of the foremost guardians of early American motoring heritage. As President of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society and founder of VanderbiltCupRaces.com, he has created one of the world's leading digital resources on early American motor racing. His presentation will explore how the Vanderbilt Cup Races influenced the American automobile industry and how William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s vision led to the creation of the Long Island Motor Parkway - the world's first highway built exclusively for automobiles.

Dr. Klaus Preuschhof | Germany

Front-Wheel Drive: Development and Historical Significance

Dr. Klaus Preuschhof is one of Germany's most respected automotive historians. Following his highly regarded presentation at the Fourth Pan-European Conference for Automotive History in 2024, he will now examine the development of front-wheel drive. His presentation will trace the pioneers, technical breakthroughs and lasting influence of one of the most important innovations in automobile design.

Göran Flank | Sweden

Sweden's Forgotten Daimler Factory

Göran Flank is a leading advocate for the preservation of Swedish automotive history and chairman of the archive committee of the Swedish Motor History Archive. His presentation will reveal the little-known story of Sweden's forgotten Daimler factory - an unexpected and fascinating chapter in European automotive history based on original archival research.

Asbjørn Rolseth | Norway

Norway's CKD Vehicle Assembly Industry

Asbjørn Rolseth is one of Norway's leading automotive historians and authors. His presentation will uncover the largely overlooked history of Norway's CKD vehicle assembly industry, showing how currency restrictions, import controls and industrial ingenuity led to the local assembly of marques such as Adler, Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, DeSoto and Studebaker.

Update: 8/3/2026 Press Release from Norwegian Roads Museum

Exploring how motorised mobility has shaped technology, landscapes, communities and culture
18–20 September 2026 | Norwegian Roads Museum, Lillehammer, Norway

Dear FIVA members, colleagues and friends,

Join us at the Fifth Pan-European Conference for Automotive History, organised by FIVA and the Norwegian Federation for Historic Vehicles (LMK), at the spectacular Norwegian Roads Museum near Lillehammer.

Over three inspiring days, delegates will explore the fascinating world of automotive and mobility heritage through engaging presentations on pioneering vehicles, technological innovation, historic marques, motorsport, museums, tourism, road safety and the wider cultural impact of mobility.

One of the most exciting features of the conference will be its international programme of speakers. Among them are Howard Kroplick from the United States, who will explore the Vanderbilt Cup Races and the creation of the Long Island Motor Parkway; Dr Klaus Preuschhof from Germany, presenting the development and historical significance of front-wheel drive; Göran Flank from Sweden, revealing the little-known story of Sweden’s forgotten Daimler factory; and Asbjørn Rolseth from Norway, uncovering Norway’s largely forgotten CKD vehicle assembly industry.

Beyond the lecture hall, participants will enjoy authentic Norwegian hospitality, regional cuisine, cultural activities and exceptional networking opportunities in one of Scandinavia’s most beautiful settings.

Whether you are a historian, researcher, curator, collector, author, museum professional, student or simply passionate about motoring heritage, the conference offers a unique opportunity to learn from leading experts, exchange ideas with colleagues from around the world and experience Norway’s rich cultural heritage.

Venue

Norwegian Roads Museum
Near Lillehammer, Norway

Surrounded by breathtaking mountains, lakes and historic landscapes, the museum provides an exceptional setting for discussion, learning and international networking.

Accommodation will be provided at the nearby Scandic Hafjell Hotel, with shuttle services operating between the hotel, the museum and the railway station.

Lillehammer is easily accessible from Oslo Airport by direct rail connections.

Registration

Conference packages include:

• accommodation;

• meals;

• participation in the full conference programme;

• cultural and social activities;

• shuttle transport between the main conference locations.

Reserve your place today:

"The Vanderbilt Cup Races: America's First International Road Races"

Chain your dogs and lock up your fowls!” heralded posters throughout Long Island in announcing the first international road race ever to be held in America. From 1904 to 1910, six Vanderbilt Cup Races were held on Long Island roads. Developed from the imagination of William K. Vanderbilt, Jr., great grandson of millionaire Cornelius Vanderbilt, these races were the most prestigious and thrilling auto races of their day, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to Long Island in the United States.

Considered one of the world's experts on the Vanderbilt Cup Races, Howard's presentation will relive auto racing’s earliest triumphs including the competition between Europe and the United States and the development of the Long Island Motor Parkway- the first road built exclusively for the automobile.

Highlights will include the adventures of Europe's drivers and manufacturers in these races including:: Vincenzo Lanzia (Italy-FIAT), Louis Chevrolet (Italy-FIAT),Felice Nazzaro (Italy-FIAT), Victor Hemery  (Darracq-France), Louis Wagner (Darracq-France), Fernand Gabriel (DeDietrich-France), William Luttgen (Mercedes-Germany) and Camille Jenatzy (Mercedes-Germany).