Vanderbilt Cup Races

Nov 14 2009
Opportunity to Provide Input on the Motor Parkway Trail

As reported on November 6, 2009, the contract for developing a master plan for a Motor Parkway Trailway in Nassau County has been awarded to VHB Engineering, Surveying and Landscape Architecture, P.C. Here is an opportunity to provide your input on the master plan. (14 comments)

Nov 13 2009
Driver Profile: John Walter Christie: Front-Wheel Drive Pioneer

The struggle of the Christie team in the 1905 and the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races was a kind of metaphor for (John) Walter Christie’s life. Born in River Edge, New Jersey on May 6, 1866, Christie spent his youth working as a machinist and studying mechanics. As a teenager, he worked at the DeLamater Machine Shop in New York where the Civil War ironclad U.S.S. Monitor had been constructed nearly 20 years prior. (5 comments)

Nov 13 2009
The Christie Returns to the 1906 Races

Despite his lack of success and total disruption of the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race, Christie returned to the 1906 American Elimination Trial and the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race with another of his front-wheel drive creations. (0 comments)

Nov 11 2009
The Christie Front-Wheel Drive Car in the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Among the most unique entries for the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race was the front-wheel drive Christie, named after its owner and creator, J. Walter Christie. One of just two cars to use Goodrich tires it was the first front-wheel drive car. Spur gears on each end of the crankshaft applied the engine’s 60 horsepower directly to the front axle. (0 comments)

Nov 11 2009
“Black Beast” a Hit on Broadway

It was a beautiful day on Tuesday when the "Black Beast" made its Broadway debut. (2 comments)

Nov 10 2009
“The Incredible Vanderbilt Cup Races” at Chowder Today

The forecast is beautiful...... so the Alco-6 "Black Beast" will be at today's gathering of the Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving & Chowder Society. At the meeting (beginning at 12 noon), I will be presenting "The Incredible Vanderbilt Cup Races" featuring rare race films including one of the first sports films ever made and a Mack Sennett film of the 1914 race. Hear the "Black Beast" roar outside Sardi's, located at 234 W.44th Street in Manhattan. For information on the Madison Avenue Sports… (0 comments)

Nov 07 2009
Driver Profile: William Luttgen Part IV -The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

In response to a Luttgen family request, this week I have been profiling William Luttgen, who participated in four Vanderbilt Cup Races as a driver and mechanician. Prior posts included his initial success as a driver (1904), his dramatic experince as a mechanician (1905) and his return as a driver (1906). Today, we conclude the profile describing Luttgen's best ride in the memorable 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. (3 comments)

Nov 06 2009
Driver Profile: William Luttgen Part III-The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

In response to his granddaughter's request, this week have been profiling William Luttgen, who participated in four Vanderbilt Cup Races as a driver and mechanician. In Thursday's post, I described Luttgen's background growing up in Germany and his success drive in the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race. In Friday's post, Luttgen's mechanician role in the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race was detailed including how he ended up on the front page of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Today, the focus is on Luttgen's return… (0 comments)

Nov 06 2009
Driver Profile: William Luttgen Part II: The 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race

In a request from his granddaughter, yesterday I began a profile on William Luttgen, who participated in four Vanderbilt Cup Races from 1904 to 1908. Today's second installment focuses on the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race. (0 comments)

Nov 04 2009
Driver Profile: William Luttgen Part I: The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Lisa, thanks for the email. William Luttgen participated in four Vanderbilt Cup Races, three as a driver (1904, 1906, and 1908) and one as a mechanician (1905). According to the magazine Antique Automobile, when he died at the age of 88 in 1965, he was “the last living participant in the first Vanderbilt Cup Race”. Here is a profile of William Luttgen written with additonal information provided by you and the Luttgen family. (2 comments)