Vanderbilt Cup Races

Mystery Foto #20… The badge shown here is an example of the FEDCO Number Plate System. In this case on a Chrysler. These FEDCO number plates were created to combat the rampant car theft that had reached alarming rates in the 1920’s. These plates were welded to the dash and they would self-destruct if tampered with. FEDCO stands for Federated Engineers Development Corporation. As for the copy on the plate. At left we see a circular Chrysler logo; Just to the right is the Walter P. Chrysler signature in script. Above and below the logo and signature we see WWW-DDD-ZERO-FOUR-FOUR-RRR. And in a layer behind the logo and script we see W-D-0-4-4-R. This all translated into an encoded serial number for the car attached. These badges were in use on Chryslers and other Chrysler products from 1926 to 1930.
To read more about theses FEDCO plates go to
www/automotivetimelines.com/blog/2017/11/08/fedco/ 
On the other hand it could just be a long lost candy bar from Hershey.

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: A Fedco Vehicle Number Plate for a 1926 Chrysler Model G70-6

I enjoy your weekly Mystery Photo challenges, and the other news. With most Mysteries I draw a complete blank, but I did some quick Google research on Fedco System. On the heels of the expanding auto industry was expanded auto theft. Chrysler used these “Builder’s Plates” (located in various places on different models) for ID purposes starting in 1926 and ending in 1930. Interestingly the plates were ahead of their time in that they used “holographics” engraved in the layered plates for the serial numbers which were letters to be decoded. They also used W.P. Chrysler’s name with a D at the end rather than an R, for added security no doubt. The plates were designed to self destruct if tampered with (Mission Impossible, anyone?)

Sources: http://forums.aaca.org/topic/84652-chrysler-fedco-system/
http://www.automotivetimelines.com/blog/2017/11/08/fedco/ {your second photo source}

More than this I’ll again leave to the resident auto experts.

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: A Fedco Vehicle Number Plate for a 1926 Chrysler Model G70-6

A great track. Spectated starting in’68 at the Trans-Am and Can-Am. raced FV later in the 70s. If those right handers after going under the bridge didn’t get your heart racing-you’re not human. Wonder how the golfers like it?

From Video/Film of the Week: Classic Bridgehampton Racing

Sorry I’m not sure I can answer all your questions or decipher the badge numbers correctly .
:
http://www.imperialclub.com/Articles/Fedco/27L.jpg

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: A Fedco Vehicle Number Plate for a 1926 Chrysler Model G70-6

Great presentation!

Ken Harris

From Updated: 1963 Mustang III Concept Show Car a Big Hit at the AACA Museum Exhibit Opening Reception

Chrysler
http://www.ddd.zero.four.four.rrr
Purpose: provide model, year and vehicle serial number
Hint: Fedco numbering system.
Believe it is from a 1930 Dodge 6 . Rational: according to page 32 of Fedco numbering system book, serial numbers D-001-WP thru D-257-PH were assigned to ‘30-‘31 Dodge 6

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: A Fedco Vehicle Number Plate for a 1926 Chrysler Model G70-6

1981
Michael Andretti’s year in Ford #55
Dave Weitzenheit confirms wreck in Pro-FF feature

From Video/Film of the Week: Classic Bridgehampton Racing

So sad that Long Island abandoned its venerated position in the world of motorsport. That track ignited my passion for all things auto!

From Video/Film of the Week: Classic Bridgehampton Racing

p.s. We “borrowed” the name and called it the Vanderbilt Challenge, along with a picture of the real cup from the Smithsonian.

From Video/Film of the Week: Classic Bridgehampton Racing

In my memory, it was 1980, but John is probably right with 1981. The Formula Ford field was huge, so their race ran last. It was a joint SCCA/EMRA event as part of a 2-weekend event we called “Speed Week”, the track’s 25th anniversary. The F Ford field didn’t even make it to turn 1 when 17 of them piled up, no one hurt except a wrist or two. One driver, Tony Andrews running in front got out of his car and said, “well, gentlemen, the party starts early.”

From Video/Film of the Week: Classic Bridgehampton Racing

John Clor, good friend, he’s come to our car shows on LI several times now. Always a lot of fun, he and his wife Jennie.
________________________________________________
Howard Kroplick

Leo, John Clor has the best sense of humor of any executive in the automobile industry.

From Updated: 1963 Mustang III Concept Show Car a Big Hit at the AACA Museum Exhibit Opening Reception

Tom—-I guess I assumed it was a bike because you said you were 16 years old so either the driving age was younger back then or you were breaking the law! And 80 mph on dead mans curve?? You can see why auto insurance is much higher for youngsters.

What I specifically want to know is: after you crossed over Central Ave, heading north, tell us as much as you can about specifically where the LIMP is in relation to 135. Construction of 135 seems to have started in 1959 and continued through the 60’s so maybe you had moved from Bethpage by that time? But I am very curious to know EXACTLY where the LIMP specifically ran from Central Ave heading north in relation to 135 until it makes the easterly turn into Bethpage Park.

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The Motor Parkway East of Clinton Road, Garden City in the 1950s

Was there a commemorative “re-run” of the course similar to the 50th anniversary of the 1904 VCR ? ( Oct 9 1954 )

From Walter McCarthy Collection: Ledyard Pfund's 1906/1907 Renault "Vanderbilt Racer"

I was going to sit this one out initially. But it kept me occupied on this rainy day.

*Auto Manufacturer that used this Badge:  Chrysler stands out quite clearly ( Walter P Chrysler ).

*Exact copy on the Badge:  W D 0 4 4 R   This is seen beneath CHRYSLER and his signature. I don’t know why the letters are in sets of 3 above and below.

*Badge purpose:  To identify the vehicle with a serial # ( W D 0 4 4 R ). According to what I read, Chrysler used a FEDCO SYSTEM from 1926 thru 1958 to serial code/identify every vehicle manufactured. It was difficult for thieves to alter or remove this badges. Chrysler began using the current VIN SYSTEM in 1959.

*Date of the badge when it was produced:  Chrysler Corporation came to be in 1923. Their FEDCO SYSTEM commenced in 1926. So I’ll say the badge was created in 1926. The badge copy doesn’t refer to a time period. Perhaps the 44th vehicle manufactured?

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: A Fedco Vehicle Number Plate for a 1926 Chrysler Model G70-6

Tom -

Did the toll house look like the photos in these links?

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/images/blog/2016-12-15_18-43-42_edited-1.jpg

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/the_motor_parkway_toll_collection_structures_11_bethpage_lodge

From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures: #12 Bethpage Lodge Updated 3/13/2017

Hi Tom!

Thank you for sharing your experience on the parkway. This is wonderful to hear! As you approached the toll house (Bethpage Lodge?), was it located on the left side of the road? Is this where you exited off the parkway? There should have been another bridge immediately after the toll house. Was it closed?  Thanks Tom.

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The Motor Parkway East of Clinton Road, Garden City in the 1950s

This was a badge used by Chrysler from 1926-1930 and similar badges were used by other manufacturers.  It was welded to the dashboard and was established as an identification to deter auto theft.  The letters converted to numbers, specific to that auto.

W-P-C-H-R-Y-S-L-E-D
0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9

The clue would be “FEDCO” on the bottom of the badge.

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: A Fedco Vehicle Number Plate for a 1926 Chrysler Model G70-6

Tom MacCallum

hello howard….........tom mac callum here..in 1953 and54,55 I did not ride my bike, I drove my 1950 mercury on the motor parkway… the bridges over stewart ave and over central ave where still in place and driveable. I would get on at the stewart bridge and could drlve east all together about a mile and half.. first 1/3 of a mile was straight then a wonderful deep curve to the left ..dead mans curve….took it at 80 easy…. then north but going a little east….them coming to the big bridge up and over central ave and the LIRR. ..both under the bridge at the same place…..made an X then down the other side….went as far as we could but finally the brush stopped us.one time we got thru the brush…......the parkway mostly straight but still a bit to the east way off in the distance there was a building like a toll house not sure at all….not a single picture…...its all in my head..i will answer any question if I know….......otherwise fagetaboutit.  hope I helped some. tom mac callum

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The Motor Parkway East of Clinton Road, Garden City in the 1950s

  Chrysler vintage metal security identification tag.

    ( possible predates the VIN plate//tag )

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: A Fedco Vehicle Number Plate for a 1926 Chrysler Model G70-6

I was at this race.  1981.  Newman finished 2nd to Ken Slagle in a TR8.  What a great race track!

From Video/Film of the Week: Classic Bridgehampton Racing