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.
All Content © 2026 VanderbiltCupRaces.com
Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
In Huntington, the Town Historian is a great asset often heard from through the Huntington Historical Society. It’s great that knowledgeable people like Howard take this on.
From Newsday: Long Island historians come together to preserve region's history
A while back the fan belt on my Packard 243 wore out. I got a new belt; however, the adjustable water pump (adjusts to fit the belt) was frozen! I didn’t get to do the work myself, Gaslite had the pleasure! I suppose that changing fan belts once every several decades shouldn’t get someone upset.
From Take a Test Ride In the Alco Black Beast
Wonderful story Howard. Great. Restoration by the Ida family. I remember seeing there 409 powered Coupe at National Speedway as a kid.
From The History of the Tucker 1044 (1948-Present) Updated: 6/18/2019
-Identify the location and orientation of the photographer
View looking Northeast at Salisbury/Westbury above the Meadowbrook Polo Field
-Identify the major roads.
LIMP, Merrick Ave, Stewart Ave, Salisbury Park Dr,
-Identify the Long Island Motor Parkway structure(s)
Merrick Ave PW Bridge, “Meadowbrook” parkway bridge over Newbridge Avenue (Bellmore Road), Stewart Avenue Bridge
-Link the Mystery Foto to the Vanderbilt Cup Races.
1908, 1909, 1910 VCR races used this portion of the LIMP
-Which bridge in the aerial is still standing?
The Central RR bridge still there buried in the exit ramp of the Meadowbrook Pkwy.
-Identify the railroad track and railroad station.
Central RR- Salisbury Plains RR Station
-Identify the other significant Long Island buildings.
Meadow brook Polo Club, Clubhouse for the Salisbury Country Club
-Identify the golf courses.
Salisbury Links, Meadow Brook Golf Club
-Which future First Lady lived on a property seen in the Mystery Foto?
Elliott Roosevelt’s 10-acre home Half Way Nirvana was located near the intersection of Valentines Road and Salisbury Park Drive (then called Newbridge Road.)
-Identify the property located on the upper right section of the aerial.
The Ladenburg Estate
-What is the date of the Mystery Foto? Provide a rationale.
Just a guess judging by vehicles, early 1930’s
From Update #3:Mystery Foto #33 Solved:Spectacular 1924 Aerial of Meadow Brook Hunt Club & Motor Parkway
Howard, hope every thing goes well on your way out there? just remember your nitpicker groupie me was the first to point out the cyclop headlight was not working, at the Merchant Marine Academy in King Point some time ago. Now that is fixed, hope get extra points for a working cyclop headlight when judging time comes.
Howard, general admission is $375 at the Pebble Beach Concours, any discounts for us LIMP Preservation Society members??
From On the Road to Pebble: Two Days Until a Trip to the Beach!
Dick S.
I just wanted to say Thank You from the Tucker fans across the United States for supporting this project that is now heading west. The combination of the Ida’s and Tucker’s talents are simply amazing, the partnership is pretty special in the Tucker world. We are sure there are many other talented folks that have been involved too, as the length of time of this restoration has been rather short. Howard you chose a great group, we are grateful for your support of the Tucker cause. Enjoy Pebble Beach.
From Update #2: On the Road to Pebble: Thumbs-Up to the Tucker 1044 Team!
Steve M.
Congratulations on the completion of your Tucker. Just, absolutely, fantastic!
Good luck at Pebble Beach! All your friends at Newsday are routing for you!
From Update #2: On the Road to Pebble: Thumbs-Up to the Tucker 1044 Team!
Warren H:
Hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s off to Pebble Beach #1044 goes… cravete competitorem!
More than good luck, it’s the resources, time, and effort it took to create the masterpiece which is #1044 that will win the day!
From Update #2: On the Road to Pebble: Thumbs-Up to the Tucker 1044 Team!
Speaking of eagle eyes and no portico (bravo!), I see that the “second-story bridge between the office and plant” (Curtiss) now has a first-story enclosure. Views looking down into the old plant, such as the ‘20s and ‘28s’s above, were taken from the east end of that bridge. Sam, III
From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Curtiss Engineering Corporation Garden City Complex Circa 1925
Mike - Excellent observation! I missed that. NO portico. Great eagle eyes!
From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Curtiss Engineering Corporation Garden City Complex Circa 1925
Mike - Excellent observation! I missed it. NO portico!
From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Curtiss Engineering Corporation Garden City Complex Circa 1925
Looking north at Clinton Road from south of Commercial Avenue GC. Curtiss Factory is south of Stewart Avenue, Long Island Motor Parkway at the bend over Clinton with its 3 section bridge, the entranceway to LIMP and the office and Toll House. No Portico on the toll house means it was the early 1920s. Great pic it shows how hardly anything was there after WW1.
From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Curtiss Engineering Corporation Garden City Complex Circa 1925
Mystery Foto # 32….We are in the Garden City/Mineola area with the photographer looking North West. The Clinton Road Motor Parkway bridge is shown in the top, center. Tree lined Clinton Road shows in the upper left quadrant of the pic. The buildings seen at the top of Photo are Roosevelt Field airport. The Curtiss Engineering Corp buildings are seen at the bottom of the aerial. As a guess on the date I would say between 1925 and 1928.
From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Curtiss Engineering Corporation Garden City Complex Circa 1925
Mystery Foto #32… We are in the Garden City/Mineola area with the photographer looking North West. The Clinton Road Motor parkway bridge is shown in the top, center. Tree lined Clinton Road shows in the upper left quadrant of pic. The building in the top of photo is Roosevelt Field airport. The Curtiss Engineering Corp buildings are seen at the bottom of the aerial. As a guess on the date I would say between 1925 and 1928.
From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Curtiss Engineering Corporation Garden City Complex Circa 1925
They did a great job Howard! Enjoy the Pebble Beach experience. Someday I’ll get out there myself. I’m sure you’ll post some nice photos and videos. I love the green color on this car!
From On the Road to Pebble: Two Days Until a Trip to the Beach!
Congrats…
A terrific job.
Now I know where to take that ‘60 Lincoln Continental Limousine by Hess & Eisenhardt, if I ever get my hands on one worth restoring.
In any event, this has to be a “double” congrats—first, the ‘37 Chrysler and now the ‘48 Tucker, each done to perfection.
From Update #2: On the Road to Pebble: Thumbs-Up to the Tucker 1044 Team!
Howard the car looks beautiful
From On the Road to Pebble: Two Days Until a Trip to the Beach!
We’re over East Garden City looking north with the LIMP coming in from the north and curving east with the bridge over Clinton Road, general manager’s office, and Garden City Toll Lodge all visible. The buildings at the top belong to Curtiss Air Field and the bottom structures are the Curtiss Engineering plant. Along with Clinton Road, there is Stewart Avenue, an early Commercial Avenue and the road west of the LIMP leading to the Army hospital. Since Curtiss Engineering was built in 1918 and Curtiss Field appears to be still under construction, I’ll guess the date to be 1918, maybe 1919.
From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Curtiss Engineering Corporation Garden City Complex Circa 1925
I worked on Joel Naive’s Alco in the mid-80s, I was an engineering student employed part time on his collection for several years, and remember it (in gorgeous restored condition) at that time. I graduated and got a real job in 1987, but remember that car and others like his Auburns very fondly.
From In Search of Alcos: #8 1911 40-HP Alco Toy Tonneau Touring Car on Long Island
i just love the fact that my great grandfather was part of two victories in the Vanderbilt Cup Races of 1909 ( which this “Alco” car is the 1909 model) and 1910. Carolyn is holding a brass pump which supplied the fuel to the car. Special thanks to Howard Kroplick for opening his shop for us in no time at all so i could see a car that I’ve only heard of or seen pictures for 54 years. It was an honor i will never forget.
I really enjoyed the personal tour of your museum space and your collection of unique motor vehicles. Your dedication for perseving these beautiful cars is outstanding and I can honestly say I’ve never felt a euphoric feeling as the one I had when I was there in the Black Beast… thank you Howard.
From Frank Lee's Great-Grandson Visits the Alco Black Beast
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