Vanderbilt Cup Races -

1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Feb 19 2011
Scorecard Vanderbilia #1: The 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race

A common piece of Vanderbilia for all six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island were scorecards providing information on the entrants. The scorecards usually included ads related to lodging, transportation and real estate:

Feb 12 2011
Then & Now: Extant Structures on the Vanderbilt Cup Race Courses (Updated: 7/31/2019)

There are few Long Island buildings and structures that were built from 1904 to 1910 and remain standing. These nine buildings, structures and remnants on the Vanderbilt Cup Race courses have survived over 100 years:

Feb 10 2011
From the McCarthy Collection: Four Hotels on the Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

Walter McCarthy: "I came across this journal "Automobile Tours 1908" while browsing through some of my old original literature. This issue included information on four hotels on the Vanderbilt Cup Race course."

Feb 09 2011
The Vanderbilt Cup Race Courses (1904-1910)

The six Vanderbilt Cup Races from 1904 to 1910 were held on five different courses on Long Island. The last three races from 1908 to 1910 were partially held on the Long Island Motor Parkway.

Feb 07 2011
Peter Helck and a Piece of Locomobile Vanderbilia

In 1905 Roslyn photographer William Pickering captured the #7 Locomobile passing Krug's Hotel on Jericho Turnpike in Mineola. The Locomobile's third place finish in the race was the first time an American car had ever placed in an international competition. Tim Helck, the grandson of Peter Helck, brought back memories of this famous Vanderbilt Cup racer with a recent email.

Feb 05 2011
Rare Images Series #2: Vanderbilt Cup Race Driver Joe Tracy

Joe Tracy (1873-1959) was the only driver to participate in the first five races associated with the Vanderbilt Cup Races (1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race, the 1905 American Elimination Race, the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race, the 1906 American Elimination Race, and the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race). As part of the Rare Images series, check out these photos of pioneering driver and engineer:

Jan 28 2011
Film “The William Luttgen Story (1877-1965)”

Relatives of William Luttgen, who participated in the Vanderbilt Cup Races from 1904 to 1908, met earlier this month for a family reunion. As part of the celebration, this 4-minute film was created documenting the career of this road racing pioneer.

Jan 17 2011
A Family Remembers a Vanderbilt Cup Race Driver- William Luttgen

From Lisa Conley: "Howard, I finally can answer your question about what my grandfather William Luttgen did after he quit racing. I got a lot of stories from several family members over the past year and have compiled them. Thanks for all the fun and sharing!"

Dec 23 2010
Prominent Women of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

The daybreak start of the Vanderbilt Cup Races attracted thousands of adventurous men and women who streamed into Long Island from New York City. With hotels and roadhouses overflowing, they camped, gambled, drank, socialized, and established a tradition of revelry that became a hallmark of the event. Women made up approximately one-third of the spectators. In the custom of the day, the women wore their finest clothes to great public events including the Vanderbilt Cup Races. Here are several…