Vanderbilt Cup Races

Jan 15 2011
Life Magazine Automobile Cartoon Series #1: 1901 to 1908

From 1883 to 1936, Life was a humor and general interest magazine of drawings capturing the American scene. As a major phenomenon in the early 1900s, the automobile came in for its fair share of Life's fun, satire and sentiment. This portfolio of six cartoons from 1901 to 1908 questioned whether automobiles would be replaced by air travel, the reliability and safety of the automobile and the never-ending struggle between wealthy and poor: (1 comments)

Jan 14 2011
The American Mercedes Manufactured in Astoria Queens

Most car enthusiasts do not realize that an American Mercedes automobile was manufactured by the Daimler Manufacturing Company in Astoria, Queens from 1905 to 1907. (6 comments)

Jan 13 2011
Film “The 1909 Reo Roadster Exhibit” at the Vanderbilt Museum

Chris Collora of LI News Tonight has produced this 6-minute film on the new automobile exhibit at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum: (0 comments)

Jan 12 2011
Update: The Alco Black Beast Racing History

Alco-6 Black Beast's major races included two Vanderbilt Cup Races, the first Indianapolis 500, two Elgin Trophy Races, and one American Grand Prize Race. Here's the updated racing record with new images: (12 comments)

Jan 11 2011
A CALL TO ACTION: The Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

As a follow-up to the December 15th post concerning the deterioration of the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge and its surrounding area, Joe E. has submitted the following report with photos: (9 comments)

Jan 11 2011
Driver Profile: Harry Grant -Winner of the 1909 & 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races

This is an updated profile of Harry Grant including several never before published photos: (10 comments)

Jan 08 2011
Drivers Who Raced in the 1911 Indy 500 and the Vanderbilt Cup Races (1904-1910)

The decision of the Indianapolis Speedway to hold one major 500-mile race in 1911 with an unheard purse of $25,100 (equal to $571,000 today) attracted the best racing teams and drivers. Not surprisingly, many of the drivers who participated in the Vanderbilt Cup Races and its associated races also drove in the Inaugural Indy 500. (6 comments)

Jan 08 2011
Then & Now: The Botto Farmway Bridge in Bethpage State Park

When the 48 miles of the Motor Parkway were completed in the late 1920s, a total of 65 bridges had been built over and under the parkway. Most of the bridges were used to avoid intersections of major roads. However, many of the bridges were built to connect adjoining properties and farms. These "farmway" bridges were part of the negotiations when the Long Island Motor Parkway, Inc. purchased the right-of way. One of the farmway bridges connected the east and west sections of the Botto farm… (4 comments)

Jan 07 2011
The Alco “Black Beast” in the Inaugural Indy 500 Race

Besides its two Vanderbilt Cup Race victories, the Alco-6 Black Beast's most famous race was the Inaugural Indy 500 held on May 30, 1911. To further celebrate this year's centennial, here is a comprehensive review of the Alco's performance as one of the 40 participants in this historic race. (0 comments)

Jan 05 2011
Indy 500 Centennial Celebration: Five 1911 Indy 500 Films

To celebrate the upcoming centennial of the Inaugural Indy 500 Race, here are five films related to this historic race: (0 comments)