1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race
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Jul 21 2009
Three More Spectacular 1904 Photos
I am posting three more previously unpublished 1904 photos from a scrapbook album which I recently acquired. The above photo is probably the sharpest image ever shown of the spectators at the Westbury grandstand at the first interrnational raod race held in the United States.
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Jul 19 2009
Rare Photos of the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race Discovered
I recently acquired a 1904 scrapbook of 65 never-before published photos including 15 amazing images of the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race. The most significant photo in the scrapbook is the only known documentation of the difficulties of #10 Fiat driven by Paul Sartori and owned by Willie K's cousin Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt at the start of race. Here's the story behind the photo:
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Jun 10 2009
The Drop Box Mystery at The Henry Ford
Leslie Mio, Assistant Registrar at The Henry Ford, recently sent this email to me: "I am working on cataloging a sealed brass box. According to the donors (the Long Island Automobile Club), "These boxes . . . were used for signatures, so that Gentlemen Drivers, could not substitute Professional Drivers, in the Vanderbilt Cup Races." [letter to Henry Ford from Joseph F. Cox, Welfare Director, Long Island Automobile Club, dated January 15, 1936]. However, it seems more likely to be the drop box…
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Jun 08 2009
The First International Auto Race-In West Hempstead
The website West Hempstead Now and Then has posted an excellent article The First International Auto Race in America – in West Hempstead on the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race. The article originally appeared in the Winter 2008 edition of the West Hempstead Civic Association News & Views newsletter.
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Mar 21 2009
Joe Tracy Honored By Race Fans
On the 50th anniversary of the death of Joe Tracy, a group of race fans honored the Vanderbilt Cup Race driver with a visit to his gravesite on Long Island. Led by Tony Carroll, Secretary of the Vintage Sports Car Club of America, Joe was honored yesterday with a toast of Old Paddy's Irish Wiskey.
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Mar 20 2009
Film: A Tribute to Joe Tracy
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Joe Tracy , one of the best Vanderbilt Cup Race drivers. In tribute to Joe and his mechanican Al Poole, I have placed a five-minute film of their racing careers in the Blog.
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Mar 01 2009
Car Coming Part II: A Celebration of the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course
This three-part video was made by Howard Kroplick to celebrate the centennial of the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race in 2004. Part II shows the course for the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race from Jericho to Queens and photos of the race cars. Actual clips of the race are shown as filmed by the American Mutoscope & Biograph. Part III will show the course from Floral Park to the finish line in Westbury.
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Dec 29 2008
Timing the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Rich, the timing for the Vanderbilt Cup Races was surprisingly accurate. The system for timing the races changed during the period that the races were held on Long Island. Below is a description of how the cars were timed for the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race.
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Oct 16 2008
Question of the Day: What do Barack Obama and John McCain have in common with the 1904 drivers?
Last night's Debate '08 at Hofstra University in Hempstead inspired today's question of the day: What do Barack Obama and John McCain have in common with the drivers of the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race? Please provide your answer in the comment box. The answer will be revealed in tomorrow's blog.
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Mar 30 2008
Question of the day: What was the role of A.R. Pardington in the races?
I am especially interested in A.R. Pardington. He was my great-grandfather's brother. Do you have any video footage or early photos of Arthur Rayner Pardington?
