Vanderbilt Cup Races

Feb 15 2009
Alco Mechanics at Work

Over 250 people have come to see the Alco-6 Racer since its return to Long Island including Joyce and Richard Roman of West Babylon. Joyce is the granddaughter of Jens Thorvald Jansen, one of the Alco mechanics who prepared the car prior to its victory in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race. (0 comments)

Feb 13 2009
Newsday Cites Sayville Presentation

Newsday cited tomorrow's "Long Island Motor Parkway" presentation at the Sayville Historical Society in its Explore Long Island section. (0 comments)

Feb 12 2009
Lou Meyer’s Crash During the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race Practice

Rupert, this photo shows the Type 59 Bugatti after it crashed in practice one day before the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race held on October 12, 1936 at Roosevelt Raceway in Westbury. Louis Meyer (wearing the helmut) was one of the leading racers of the era and the first three-time winner of the Indy 500. (0 comments)

Feb 10 2009
In Search of the Nassau Boulevard Toll Booth: Part III

Sunday's post In Search of the Fresh Meadows Toll Booth: Part I documented that the Motor Parkway designated two new "toll lodges" in Queens when the Nassau Boulevard entrance was opened on July 1, 1928. The existence of the Rocky Hill Road Toll Booth was confirmed in both aerial photos and a dramatic ground-level photo. Tuesday's post In Search of the Fresh Meadows Toll Booth: Part II began the search for its sister toll booth at Nassau Boulevard. Tonight, more amazing images appear for the… (11 comments)

Feb 09 2009
In Search of the Nassau Boulevard Toll Booth: Part II

In Sunday's post In Search of the Fresh Meadows Toll Booth: Part I, it was documented that the Motor Parkway designated two new "toll lodges" in Queens when the Nassau Boulevard entrance was opened on July 1, 1928. The existence of the unique Rocky Hill Road Toll Booth, which crossed the Motor Parkway near Springfield Road, was confirmed in both aerial photos and the above ground level photo. But, what about its sister toll booth at the western terminus at Nassau Boulevard? (0 comments)

Feb 08 2009
In Search of the Nassau Boulevard Toll Booth: Part I

As described in the book The Long Island Motor Parkway, the Motor Parkway was extended three miles in the late 1920s from Rocky Hill Road (Springfield Boulevard) to Nassau Boulevard (later renamed Horace Harding Boulevard). The above image of a rare 1928 Motor Parkway brochure (courtesy of Robert Harrington) promoted the new entrance at Fresh Meadows. Note the illustration of the toll booth crossing the entire road. (2 comments)

Feb 06 2009
The Opening of the Motor Parkway Bike Path- July 9, 1938

The crushing impact of the Depression, coupled with the ever-expanding free New York State Parkway system, effectively sealed the fate of the Long Island Motor Parkway (LIMP). On June 16, 1937, William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. offered the parkway to the public. It officially closed on April 17, 1938 with the right-of-way turned over to Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. (1 comments)

Feb 05 2009
Harry Grant at the First Indy 500 Race

After winning consecutive Vanderbilt Cup Races, Harry Grant entered the Alco-6 Black Beast Racer in the Inaugural Indy 500 Race on May 30, 1911. (2 comments)

Feb 03 2009
The Great FIAT Mechanician Tony Scudelari

Lou, Tony Scudelari (aka Anthony Scudalari) was indeed a FIAT employee from around 1908 to 1912. He was best known as the mechanician for American David Bruce-Brown's FIAT team as shown above in 1911. (0 comments)

Feb 03 2009
A Fun Alco Gathering

Last Saturday, over 100 people gathered to see the restored 1909 Alco-6 Racer at its current home at 55 Lumber Road in Roslyn. Below are images from this very wonderful event. (2 comments)