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
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Recent Comments
Just to know that today the Roslyn Lodge still exists today is amazing. the whole story was great to read. I drive on Roslyn Rd. often; I own a commercial Warehouse right of Roslyn Rd. Next time I drive on Roslyn Rd, I will look for the old Lodge.
From Kleiner's Korner: Meet this Civil War Veteran Who Guarded the Motor Parkway at the Roslyn Lodge
Bob, Al’s book is now a rare collectible. There is one avalable on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Books-Al-Velocci/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AAl%2BVelocci
Enjoy,
Howard
From Kleiner's Korner: Meet this Civil War Veteran Who Guarded the Motor Parkway at the Roslyn Lodge
Wayne, thanks for the Comment. Although modified over the last 15 years, the Roslyn Lodge still exists and is a private residence.
https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/the_motor_parkway_toll_collection_structures_5_the_roslyn_lodge_in_east_wil
Enjoy,
Howard
From Kleiner's Korner: Meet this Civil War Veteran Who Guarded the Motor Parkway at the Roslyn Lodge
I really enjoyed his story Art, thank you. Been a while since reading Al’s book, there’s copies of his book in reference in libraries. I’ve known a few people with a Pithy nature about them lol. Like how he requested to be paid. Certainly a matter of principle for him, and was definitely looking out for his family. He was a History buff like us, I’ll look up his family name on Ancestry.
From Kleiner's Korner: Meet this Civil War Veteran Who Guarded the Motor Parkway at the Roslyn Lodge
The Tucker beat goes on and on. Terrific!
Roger
From The Swigart Museum ‘s Tucker 1013 wins best in class at MODA MIAMI 2025 Concours
Once again, this venue that was part of my life, pops up. It was really interesting. Bicycled on the LIMP as a kid, going from my aunt house in Albertson to my Uncle’s house across from Wheatley Golf Club. Al’s book would be an interesting to read/buy. Is it still in print?? Thanks for the article. Bob
From Kleiner's Korner: Meet this Civil War Veteran Who Guarded the Motor Parkway at the Roslyn Lodge
The article indicated the Roslyn Lodge was located on Roslyn Road in East Willison, where would this be located on Roslyn Road today? do we have an address on Roslyn road? Was any part of theis lodge saved and existing somewhere today?
Excellent story, I never knew there was a Vanderbilt toll lodge in our area..
From Kleiner's Korner: Meet this Civil War Veteran Who Guarded the Motor Parkway at the Roslyn Lodge
That’s the house owned by John Allen on the south side of Jericho Turnpike across from Powells Lane in Westbury, a short walk east from the grandstand for the first Vanderbilt Cup Race. The photo was taken on October 8, 1904. Two years later the house served as the headquarters for the Vanderbilt Cup Commission during the 1906 race.
From Mystery Friday Foto #10 Solved: Time for a Cool, Refreshing Drink at John Allen's House on the 1904 Course
Howard!
This is a wonderful tribute to my Dad, and I wish I had seen it sooner.
I’ve just shared with my siblings and will show it to my mom tomorrow.
Here are a couple of newspaper clippings I dug up recently, one with Roger Gerry!
Thank you so much for the warmth and memories ????
Jess Frost
From A Tribute to Guy Frost (1934-2019)
Thanks George!
From Friday Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Newly Discovered 1953 Drennan Aerials of Roosevelt Field
John Allen’s distinctive white home was located on Jericho Turnpike directly in front of Powells Lane. Note: a refreshment stand was set up on the Allen property for the 1904 race. On a banner across Allen’s lawn, Continental Tires promoted their use on the Mercedes racers.
In this September 1904 photo, the grandstand was under construction. Note the John Allen’s home in the background.
The John Allen home was located on the south side of the Motor Parkway, just east of the Grandstands,
From Mystery Friday Foto #10 Solved: Time for a Cool, Refreshing Drink at John Allen's House on the 1904 Course
This is John Allen’s home on Jericho Tpke near Powell Ln in Westbury. In 1906 it was the headquarters for the Vanderbilt Cup commission. Located at the site today is a bank and a gas station.
From Mystery Friday Foto #10 Solved: Time for a Cool, Refreshing Drink at John Allen's House on the 1904 Course
Could be Thomas’ #8 at the 1905 American Elimination Trial Race, idling at the starting line on Sep 23,1905. If so, Montague Roberts is behind the wheel with Fred Grant as his mechanician. The racer finished 5th place and did not qualify for the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race on Oct 14, 1905. Willie K is seen with his back on the #8 Thomas. With a nose that long I was expecting a V12, which couldn’t compete with the quicker 4-6 cylinders at the time
From Mystery Friday Foto #9 Solved: The 1905 #8 Thomas at the Starting Line
Michael Luftman - The Bridgehampton Race Course with Arents’ turn.
From Mystery Foto #8 Solved: George Arents Jr.'s Crash on the Course
tit for tat…has anyone checked the Mississippi river itself. Is it possible that it (#42) was just pushed into the river from its resting place on the river bank. I have never seen the Mississippi but I know it huge and could easily swallow up such a car.
From Greg O's Garage; The four "lost" Tuckers #1027, #1023, #1018 and #1042
That’s the 60HP Thomas racer driven by Montague Roberts with Fred Grant as the mechanician. They are getting ready to start at the 1905 American Elimination Trial on September 23, 1905. Although finishing 5th., they were not selected to be part of the American Team for the Vanderbilt Cup Race that year due to some controversy that would take too long to explain.
From Mystery Friday Foto #9 Solved: The 1905 #8 Thomas at the Starting Line
Sep. 23, 1905, Montague Roberts driving the 6-cylinder Thomas (double-triple) in the Vanderbilt qualification run. It showed well, but first one battery box broke, then the second, requiring the mechanician to brace the battery, and suffer acid burns. They had to slow down, and finished 5th. Normally that would have been good enough to qualify, but the committee made an arbitrary decision to not include the Thomas in the race. Roberts and E. R. Thomas were pretty annoyed.
From Mystery Friday Foto #9 Solved: The 1905 #8 Thomas at the Starting Line
I believe the last corner of the Bridgehampton Race Circuit was known as “Arents’ Corner” because another George Arents (son of the Arents of the1904 crash) wrecked a Ferrari TDF there on the opening weekend of the then-new track in 1957.
From Mystery Foto #8 Solved: George Arents Jr.'s Crash on the Course
Arents was also a famous book collector!
From Mystery Foto #8 Solved: George Arents Jr.'s Crash on the Course
THE CAR WAS A “THOMAS”, MANUFACTURED IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK
THE DRIVER WAS MONTAGUE ROBERTS, THE MECHANICIAN WAS FRED GRANT.
THE RACE WAS THE AMERICAN ELIMINATION TRIAL HELD ON SEPTEMBER 23, 1905
THE ENTRANT FINISHED IN 5TH PLACE.
From Mystery Friday Foto #9 Solved: The 1905 #8 Thomas at the Starting Line
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