Vanderbilt Cup Races

Dec 13 2008
Film: Chaplin, Normand, Sennett and the 1914 Vanderbilt Cup Race

The best documentation of the 1914 Vanderbilt Cup Race is a Mack Sennett-produced slapstick comedy starring Mabel Normand, Ben Turpin and Charlie Chaplin called Mabel at the Wheel. Actual scenes of the race, won by Ralph DePalma in a Mercedes, were used as part of the film. A 2008 book Chaplin by Dr. Stephen Weissman has detailed the significance of this film in the careers of Charlie Chaplin, Mabel Normand and Mack Sennett: (0 comments)

Dec 12 2008
Was This Building The Prototype for the LIMP Toll Lodges?

The first six toll lodges for the Long Island Motor Parkway were designed by the prominent architect John Russell Pope from 1908 to 1911. Prior to receiving this commssion from William K. Vanderbilt, Jr., Pope worked on various Long Island estates and properties including the gatehouse for Willie K's Deepdale estate. One of Pope's most important early commission's was the William L. Stow Residence in Old Westbury designed from 1900 to 1903. The estate was "designed in the manner of an Italian… (1 comments)

Dec 09 2008
The Mineola Lodge and the Long Island Motor Parkway

In the new book The Long Island Motor Parkway written by Al Velocci and me, there were over 200 published images of this historic road, many shown for the very first time. However, several unique images were left on the editing floor due to either quality or space issues. Over the next few weeks, VanderbiltCupRaces.com will be posting these images. The first image in this series was rejected by our publisher because of the quality of the scan from a magazine. The above image was found by Al… (0 comments)

Dec 09 2008
The Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge over Willis Avenue in Willison Park

Tony B. of Mineola has requested views of the Willis Avenue area of the Long Island Motor Parkway. The above 1930s image of the Long Island Motor Parkway bridge over Willis Avenue is the only known existing photo of this section. The photo is courtesy of Bob Valentine. Thanks, Bob! (3 comments)

Dec 06 2008
Looking for the Restored 1909 Alco-6 Racer

It has been over 15 years since the restored 1908 Alco-6 racer that won the 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races called the United States its home. For years, I had heard the car was in a lobby in an office building in France. Three weeks ago, I decided to take up the challenge of finding the current location of the Alco. Within 30 minutes of searching on the Internet, I found the car...in Belgium. With this wonderful discovery, I turned to wife and said "Road trip!". Click here to see what the… (2 comments)

Dec 04 2008
A Rare Photo of the North Hempstead Turnpike LIMP Bridge

In the early 1950s, Robert C. Levine went for a walk with a friend in a Queens park and stumbled on remains of the Long Island Motor Parkway. The road ended on an abandoned bridge near ball fields in Fresh Meadows. His friend documented the moment in the above photo with Robert leaning on the guard rail. (1 comments)

Dec 03 2008
Update on the Latest Mystery Photo!

Tl Thousand has provided additional information on our latest mystery photo. Click here for TL's latest comment. (0 comments)

Nov 29 2008
Images from the November Presentations

The November presentations on the Long Island Motor Parkway and the Vanderbilt Cup Races drew over 250 people, breaking attendance records at all three locations. (0 comments)

Nov 28 2008
Farmingdale-Bethpage Historical Society Presentation, November 16, 2008

Highlighted by Newsday as a weekend Best Bet, this special Farmingdale-Bethpage Historical Society presentation at the Farmingdale Library was attended by over 110 people including the grandaughter of William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. The presentation and book signing by Howard Kroplick included a discussion of the Vanderbilt Cup Races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and rare historical images of Farmingdale and Bethpage. Click here for images from the Farmingdale-Bethpage Historical Society meeting. (0 comments)

Nov 28 2008
Long Island Motor Touring Club Presentation, November 13, 2008

Over 60 people attended the interactive presentation "America’s First Automobile Road" at the Long Island Motor Touring Club on Thursday, November 13, 2008.During the book signing, the audience was treated to a rare showing of the 1946 Mineola Automobile Meet featuring Old 16 Locomobile driven by 72-year old veteran Vanderbilt Cup Race driver Joe Tracy. Click here for images from the Long Island Motoring Club. (0 comments)