Vanderbilt Cup Races

Sep 14 2010
Then & Now: The Ronkonkoma Lodge

Andy Hartwell comments: "A few months back I took a ride to the eastern end of the current Motor Parkway - right up to the lake - looking for any signs of the old Ronkonkoma Lodge. Nothing jumped out at me. Any chance you can pinpoint the exact location on a google earth map for me? Maybe some then and now pics too?" Andy, you ask for it , here is your: Then and Now: The Ronkonkoma Lodge (3 comments)

Sep 14 2010
The Black Beast Has a Blast at the LI Moose Classic Car Club Show

Congratulations to the Long Island Moose Classic Car Club for a another wonderful car show last Sunday. The entire Alco Team had a great time! Here are some highlights: (0 comments)

Sep 11 2010
Film “William K. Vanderbilt Jr.‘s Eagle Nest Home”

The cable channel WealthTV has created a new episode of their Palatial Passport series focusing on William K. Vanderbilt Jr. and his Eagle's Nest home. Here is a 6-minute segment from the episode. (2 comments)

Sep 10 2010
News Updates and Long Island Car Shows & Events Schedule

Here is the weekly update of news, local car shows and events. Nine car shows will be held on Long Island this weekend with the Black Beast participating in the LI Moose Classic Car Club's 10th Anniversary Show in Mattituck on Sunday. (2 comments)

Sep 09 2010
The Alco Practicing for the 1911 Indy 500: The License Plate & Mystery Car

Prior to the 1911 Indy 500 Race, the #18 Alco conducted practice runs on the Long Island Motor Parkway. On these runs, a New York license plate M1067 was placed on the front of the car. (Post corrected on November 10, 2011- Original post indicated the Alco was practicing for the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race). (1 comments)

Sep 08 2010
Willie K’s Cars #2: 1901 35-HP Mercedes “Red Devil”- The Fastest Machine in the Country

After William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. dominated the 1900 Newport Races with the Daimler "White Ghost", he returned for the 1901 Newport Races with a brand new racer from Germany, a 35-HP Mercedes called the" Red Devil". (0 comments)

Sep 07 2010
Was the “Man in the Leopard Coat” the Inspiration for Jay Gatsby?

One of my favorite 1904 photos in my Vanderbilt Cup Race book showed this fashion conscious group of men. My caption began: "In the custom of the day, the crowds typically wore their finest clothes to great public events such as the Vanderbilt Cup Race..." (9 comments)

Sep 06 2010
Then & Now: The Jericho Turnpike Motor Parkway Bridge and the Mineola Lodge

Sara Danz comments: "I remember seeing a photo of the excavation of the LIMP UNDER Jericho Turnpike just south of this. Has anyone ever seen this photo? I haven't been able to find it again." (3 comments)

Sep 04 2010
A Tour of the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course with the #14 FIAT

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." (1 comments)

Sep 03 2010
Long Island Automotive News and Updates on Car Shows & Events

Below is an update of Long Island automotive news, car shows and events including; the recent availability of personalized plates for historical cars, Nassau County County Executive Mangano's support for an Autoseum, the latest newsletter from the Mustang Shelby Club of Long Island and the return of the Americana Manhasset Concours d'Elegance. (0 comments)