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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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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
In fact the massive garbage dump in Staten Island was visible from the space station.
From Update with Aerials: Video of the Week: Robert Moses: Long Island's Master Builder
the verazano bridge ruined staten island and turned it into a overbuilt disgrace. no more was it a green oasis. It is sad!
From Update with Aerials: Video of the Week: Robert Moses: Long Island's Master Builder
This was a real challenge. At first I was trying to associate the photo with the 1906 crash of J. W. Christie in his namesake racer; then Louis Chevrolet in 1910 with the Buick; then Robertson in the 1906 Apperson “Jack Rabbit”. No luck on any of them so I’m going with the Knox racer at the 1909 opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Prest-O-Lite Trophy Race in which both driver (William Bourque) and mechanician (Harry Holcomb) became the first deaths at Indy after Bourque looked back to see who was gaining on him, lost control and flipped over.
From Mystery Foto #8 Solved: George Arents Jr.'s Crash on the Course
Further study of Christie’s life and work should include a read of Steel Steeds Christie by
J. Edward Christie, Walter’s son. Published 1985 by Sunflower university press.
From A profile of John Walter Christie- Front wheel drive pioneer
As an aside to this incredible restoration by Ida May I note that there is an incredible feature on Rob in the new 2025 Spring deluxe edition of Hot Rod.
From Frank Lloyd Wright's 1940 Lincolns- Automotive history being restored by Rob Ida
It’s an engineering marvel, and a mechanics dream or nightmare depending on who is working on it. But a known and proven engine with smooth power. Keep it going Howard. Looks great. Artie Finnegan
From Restoration Update #2: 1930 Duesenberg J Murphy Convertible Sedan Berline #2448 J-399 (1/17/2025)
THE AUTOMOBILE WAS A MERCEDES #5 IN THE 1904 VANDERBILT CUP RACE.
THE DRIVER WAS GEORGE ARENTS JR. THE MECHANICIAN WAS CARL MENSEL
THE AUTOMOBILE OVERTURNED IN ELMONT KILLING THE MECHANICIAN, CARL MENSEL.
IT WAS THE FIRST FATALITY IN THE VANDERBILT CUP RACES.
From Mystery Foto #8 Solved: George Arents Jr.'s Crash on the Course
Nice job, Walt - congratulations on a very well deserved honor!
From Walt Gosden honored as a recipient of a 2024 National AACA Appreciation Award
Walt’s award is very well deserved. Not only is he a great researcher and writer, he’s a good guy,
Rog
From Walt Gosden honored as a recipient of a 2024 National AACA Appreciation Award
Thats the “black beast” Alco at the American Grand Prize Race held on the Santa Monica Road Course in 1914. Finished 3rd, driven by William Taylor.
From Mystery Foto #7 Solved: The 1914 Alco Race Car in Santa Monica in the The 1914 American Grand Prize Race
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