Mystery Friday Foto #29 Solved; Willie K. in his Mercedes
Did you identify William K. Vanderbilt Jr. in his Mercedes?
Identify;
- The Driver
William K. Vanderbilt Jr.
- Car
This was his second 90hp Mercedes as his 1903 Ormond Beach record-breaking Mercedes was sold shortly after that run. A list of his Mercedes cars can be seen here.
- Approximate Date
Sometime in late 1904
- First appearance of this driver in this car during a race
This car's first appearance was at the October 8th, 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Races going through to clear the course.
- First participation in a competitive race
1904 Eagle Rock Hill Climb Contest- November 24, 1904
- Kudos question- Who is the gentleman standing on the left- humorous answers only
The gentleman was hired by Willie K, his name, Frederick J. Moneysworth, nicknamed 'Kickstand', as his job was to hold the car up from falling over when not in motion. I also have a bridge for sale if anyone is interested.
Comments (4)
Congrats to Ariejan Bos, Steve Lucas, Bill, and Manny Dragone for identifying William K. Vanderbilt Jr.
Greg O.
1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Willie K. taking a tour of the course with Dr. Louis Lanehart.
Comments
This is William K. Vanderbilt in the 90hp Mercedes, with which he set the world flying mile record at 39 seconds end of January 1904 at the beach of Ormond-Daytona. The same car was driven by Koehler in the 1903 Paris-Madrid race, finishing on 36th place. Vanderbilt bought the car in December 1903 at the Paris Salon and sold the car already in March 1904. So I guess the only competition event he drove with the car probably were the races at Ormond-Daytona, during one of which he set the above mentioned record.
The man a the front was his twin-brother, who, being his counter image in every aspect, is seen here trying to stop his brother from driving at all.
It’s fairly obvious that’s Willie K. in a Mercedes but the question is: which one? I’m going with a 1904 90 HP model with the date of the photo early 1904. I think it’s the same car he used as a patrol car during the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race (first appearance). His first participation in a competitive race could be the Eagle Rock Hill Climb on November 24, 1904. The gentleman with his hand on the radiator is probably Al Velocci in his younger days when he was trying to look older with a moustache.
The driver is Willy K.
1903-04 90 horsepower Mercedes Owned by Willie K Vanderbilt
I believe first raced at Ormand Beach He also terrorized people inn Long Island by driving very fast on the road at speeds never seen by people