About
The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day, and the first international automobile road races held in the United States. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways. This site provides comprehensive information on the races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and current Long Island automotive events, car shows and news.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
-Identify the Vanderbilt Cup Race in which this race occurred.
1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race
-Who was the driver and mechanician for this race car?
Louis Chevrolet #29 Marquette-Buick w/mechanician Charles Miller
-What caused the crash?
From VCR.com:
one of the Buick’s wheels became wedged in a rut and snapped the steering mechanism. The car slammed into a parked street car in Hicksville, crashed through a fence and into a tree before landing upside down in front of a farm house. Chevrolet was thrown from the car, wrenching his shoulder. His riding mechanician, Charles Miller, was pinned and died on the spot.
-What was the significance of this accident?
This fatal crash helped to place an end to the Vanderbilt Cup Races on Long Island.
From Mystery Foto #39 Solved: Louis Chevrolet's Fatal Crash in the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Grew up with Hagstrom maps but never seen them back in the ‘40s. Fantastic! Amazing Art!
From Mystery Foto #38 Solved: 1938 Aerial of Ronkonkoma and the Long Island Motor Parkway
Wait! Is it dirt or is it snow?
From Update #1: John E. Roosevelt Family Photo Album: The Motor Parkway Near Ronkonkoma, Circa 1911
Those wooden posts are very uneven, that’s why I like ‘em!
From Update #1: John E. Roosevelt Family Photo Album: The Motor Parkway Near Ronkonkoma, Circa 1911
Love the high body lines of the ‘35 Duesenberg!
From My Top Ten Non-Tuckers at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
This is a great website for us LIMP fans‼️
Thanks all
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County
And YES, this is a RACE!! Calling all drivers & mechanicians! ( I don’t own a classic auto, but does anyone need a mechanic? )
My guess is that there’s going to be 1 control center at Lakeland Fire Dept?
From Celebrate the 110th Anniversary of the Long Island Motor Parkway on Sunday, October 7, 2018
Thank you, Sam III. Had a hunch you may have known of him. Quite glad that Les, Ron Ridolph and others took the time to snap photos, document the LIMP and other interesting Long Island history.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County
Oh, hey! I only just now noticed the control cabin perched above and beyond the bridge in the second “new” photo. See how it faces the camera, along the RoW, not down towards the bridge or back towards the bunker. Wonder what purpose it serves? More fodder for the day when the Bromans (hopefully) open up to us. This thread is such fun! Sam, III
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County
As I recall, Les was an antique auto collector and historian. I found nothing on line except this NYT obit, after Newsday: “CUTTING-Lester of Huntington on July 8, 2004. Owner of Les Cutting Auto Parts”. Sam, III
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County
Way to go Howard - road racers aren’t afraid of a little rain!
(Yes, I know the Beast ran @ Indy, too.)—Ernie :>)
From The Alco Black Beast Roars at the Malba Field & Marine Classic Car Show in Queens
- Location , Nesconset and Ronkonkoma with the LIMP at the top of the photo (from west of Terry Rd to the Petit Trianon area in Lake Ronkonkoma)
- Structures, the Ronkonkoma Lodge, Petit Trianon, annex, and remnants
- The original 891 acres was owned by Charles Wright. The LIMP purchased the property in 1907. The LIMP originally planned to build a “Ronkonkoma Motor Speedway” on the property south of the parkway. The plan for the speedway never developed and the property was then sold to Walter Shirley in 1937. Shirley then developed the area with housing.
From Mystery Foto #38 Solved: 1938 Aerial of Ronkonkoma and the Long Island Motor Parkway
Well, it’s better off that the abutments aren’t supporting a tremendous amount of weight. Sand Company just made them part of the structure, etc.
Was Lester Cutting a local historical photographer? I see his name/images on some LI history websites.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County
My slide show has a view of a dump truck being loaded—taken in 1969-70, with all the safety slogans on it. This is a very nice up-t0-date picture, though.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County
Good point Denis, and great research and photos Sam. Bridge does look standing on its own, only supporting minor objects and semi-sheltering two tanks underneath. Appears there was never an attempt to remove it, too much trouble. They simply continue to work around it, just another obstacle to maneuver around in the busy yard. Thanks to all for these updates.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County
The Ronkonkoma area wth the LIMP running from the curve at left to Rosevale Avenue
at top right with a portion of the lake visible at far right.
Terry Road and Old Nichols Road running vertically intersecting each other just north of the LIMP, Terry Road running south and ending at Johnson Avenue and the LIRR running
horizontally across the bottom.
The largest portion of this property was owned by Charles Wright, and an original plan was to construct a speedway in this area but it never materialized. Walter Shirley later acquired the property which he subdivided and sold as lots.
From Mystery Foto #38 Solved: 1938 Aerial of Ronkonkoma and the Long Island Motor Parkway
My Grandfather was the mechanic and grounds keeper for Wallis. I have a copy of the auction that lists all the vehicles if anyone is interested-SK
From Mystery Foto #74 Solved: The C.K.G. Billings "Farnesworth" Garage in Locust Valley
Whoa, Nellie! I made my comment BEFORE any others were posted. I must refer you folks to my segment on the 110 Sand and Gravel artefact, <http://sbiii.com/limpbrdg.html#sandpits> (just updated), whereon I show definitively that the sand bunker is NOT sitting on the LIMP bridge! It stands on is own four columns immediately WSW of the bridge. The second of Les Cutting’s 1972 photos show this most clearly. The only weight the abutments carry is that of the two old girders, some piping and, possibly, a small conveyor. Sam, III
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County
I agree Frank. The dump truck displays just how massive the abutments are as well. No wonder why they can support all that weight.
I’ve frequented work zones similar to here while on the job. LOTS of action, all have to keep their ears and eyes open.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County
Great updated shots! The truck below clearly reveals how wide was the passing underneath. Still too tight for public use at 40mph, but much wider than I had expected. Thank you for sharing these gems.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Only Active Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County
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