Vanderbilt Cup Races

Nov 27 2009
Louis Chevrolet and the Vanderbilt Cup Races- Part II

After his tenth place finish in the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race, Chevrolet was mentored by two larger-than-life personalities: French champion Victor Hemery and front-wheel drive pioneer J. Walter Christie. (1 comments)

Nov 26 2009
Louis-Joseph Chevrolet and the Vanderbilt Cup Races- Part I

Only four drivers particpated in half of the six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island; Herb Lytle (1904, 1905, and 1908), William Luttgen (1904, 1906,and 1908), Joe Tracy (1904, 1905, and 1906) and a driver whose name would become one of the most famous brands in American car history- Louis Chevrolet. Known for his daring, fearless and, sometimes. reckless racing style, Chevrolet's driving would also be one of the reasons the races would leave Long Island. But, let's start at the beginning.… (0 comments)

Nov 26 2009
Recent Photos from the Indy 500 Hall of Fame Museum

Rich Edwards of Arnold, Missouri has submitted several photos of his recent trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum including the #32 Marmon, winner of the Inaugural Indy 500 race. (4 comments)

Nov 24 2009
Trucks, the Motor Parkway and the Vanderbilt Cup Races

On Wednesday night, I will be presenting "The Vanderbilt Cup Races, the Motor Parkway and Trucks" at the Long Island Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society. The presentation will be held at the Sound Beach Fire Department beginning at 7:30 PM. For more information contact Dennis Ryan at 1-631-821-4845. (2 comments)

Nov 23 2009
Favorite Website: Art’s Long Island Motor Parkway Site

A link to Art's Long Island Motor Parkway Site has been added to the Favorite Websites page of VanderbiltCupRaces.com . (1 comments)

Nov 22 2009
The Public Roads of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

J, you are correct, the 1908 course ended at the then western terminus of the Motor Parkway near the Bethpage Lodge at Round Swamp Road. The drivers made a left turn and went about 200 feet on Round Swamp Road before turning on to Manetto Hill Road (now called Old Bethpage Road). (4 comments)

Nov 20 2009
Starting Lineup: The 1906 American Elimination Trial

As in 1905, an American Elimination Trial determined the five racers to represent the United States in the Vanderbilt Cup Race. Of 16 entries, 12 cars survived the practice runs to race on Saturday, September 22, 1906. Here are images and profiles of all 16 cars. (Remember to click on the photos to enlarge): (3 comments)

Nov 19 2009
The 1906 Air-Cooled Frayer-Millers

An innovative machine showcased in the 1906 American Elimination Trial was the unique, air-cooled Frayer-Miller entry with designer Lee Frayer at the wheel. The only car to place the driver on the left side, this entry (one of three Frayer-Millers entered in the American Elimination Trial) broke a radius rod on the first lap and finished last. (1 comments)

Nov 17 2009
Driver Profile: Vincenzo Lancia

A natural mechanical engineering genius, Vincenzo Lancia was born in Fobello, Italy August 21, 1881, the son of a wealthy country squire and soup canner. He received his formal education at the Turin Technical School studying bookkeeping. That background proved a poor predictor of his life’s direction. (0 comments)

Nov 16 2009
A Central Park/Bethpage Postcard from a Motor Parkway Worker

The initial building of the Long Island Motor Parkway was conducted by over 600 workers who spent weeks and months away from their families to complete the work. One of the workers, T. Griffin, sent this postcard to his sister C.A. Griffin of 262 Bridge Street in Northampton, Massachusetts: (3 comments)