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
The clue was the distinct driver, Louis Chevrolet.
This was the Buick team at the Flint MI plant in 1910.
From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: The 1909 Buick Factory Racing Team in Flint, Michigan
A “then and now” for those pictures would be fantastic. Anything left unknown would make a great mystery photo.
From A Tour of Long Island Roads During the 1909 One-Gallon Efficiency Test
I believe the drivers are Louis Chevrolet, Arthur Chevrolet and Bob Burman, all members of the 1910 Buick Racing Team. I’m basing this on photos showing the building in the background being the Buick auto plant in Flint MI (possibly Plant #14).
Car could be the Marquette- Buick which ran in the race.
I would say photo taken around 1910 when the Chevrolets were part of the Buick Racing Team and the plant having been erected.
From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: The 1909 Buick Factory Racing Team in Flint, Michigan
Completely agree Steve.
Would love to know where these locations are and do “then and now” at these locations.
From A Tour of Long Island Roads During the 1909 One-Gallon Efficiency Test
I believe we’re looking at a group photo of the Buick Factory Racing Team taken on the test track at the factory in Flint, Michigan. V. C. R. drivers include: Bob Burman, in the driver’s seat (1910, 1911, 1915 V. C. races & 1908 Motor Pkwy sweepstakes); next to Burman is Louis Chevrolet (1905, 1908, 1909, 1910 V. C. races); and Lewis Strang, seated on car just in front of left rear wheel (1908, 1909 V.C. races & 1908 Motor Pkwy sweepstakes). Other members of the team are: Walter L. Marr (5th from right); W.W. Brown (4th from left, front row); Joseph R. Common (9th from left with wide brim hat); Glenn Breed (standing at far right). The car is a Marquette-Buick model 16 which I believe participated in (among others) the 1909 Prest-O-Lite trophy race (won by Burman), the 1909 Cobe Trophy race (won by Chevrolet), and the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup. Based on the race participation, the photo was probably taken in 1909 or possibly 1908.
From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: The 1909 Buick Factory Racing Team in Flint, Michigan
Thank you Howard for ensuring that Peter Helck’s contribution to art continues to flourish. Hopefully this scholarship will help to introduce young artists to the timeless beauty of Peter’s work, and genius. Those automobile enthusiasts new to Peter Helck should pick up a copy of his book, The Checkered Flag. Easily available on Amazon.
Robert Luttgen
From Art Student Jennifer Siplia Awarded the First Peter Helck Scholarship in Realism
Howard,
Thanks for those fantastic shots of the Franklin in motion. Considering the era, the photography is great.
Roger
From A Tour of Long Island Roads During the 1909 One-Gallon Efficiency Test
-Identify the drivers
-Identify the other members in the racing team
The Buick factory race team.
Louis Strang (seated on the car in front of the rear tire); Walter L. Marr (fifth from right) who was Buick’s first engineer; W. W. Brown (fourth from left on the front row), Joseph R. Common (ninth from left with wide brim hat) and Glenn Breed (standing at far right) were all team mechanicans; Bob Burman (seated in car nearest the camera); and Louis Chevrolet (seated in the car beside Burman)
-Identify the race car and the races in which it participated
-Where and when was the photo taken? Provide a rationale.
1908 at the Buick factory and test track in Flint, Michigan.
The car is the Model 16 Buick #10 that had been modified for racing. The car had been constructed as one of the team’s few “Marquette-Buicks” in 1908 and began its record setting racing career in January of 1909. It was retired from service in 1923 and became a part of the collection at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1964.
From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: The 1909 Buick Factory Racing Team in Flint, Michigan
Extremely well done. Pencil, I assume, was the medium. Actually, I think it is one of the more difficult mediums to work with but it can be very precise.
From Art Student Jennifer Siplia Awarded the First Peter Helck Scholarship in Realism
Enjoyed these photos….
From A Tour of Long Island Roads During the 1909 One-Gallon Efficiency Test
Great pics and facts!
From Mystery Foto #27 Solved:Massapequa-Hicksville Road Bridge During the 1909 One-Gallon Efficiency Test
Almost 36 miles on a gallon of gas. That’s impressive. I’ve been viewing images of all these Reliability, Economy, and Efficiency Contests on the DPL site. All the auto manufacturers wanted to put their vehicles to the test. Interesting and fun time in automotive history.
From A Tour of Long Island Roads During the 1909 One-Gallon Efficiency Test
Fantastic photos. Too bad none of the locations are identified. What a “before & after” series that would be.
From A Tour of Long Island Roads During the 1909 One-Gallon Efficiency Test
It’s too bad we don’t know exact locations on the roads, but just imagining any one of those photos along any of the known roads on the course is still pretty incredible! The bridge that the Franklin is travelling over (water?)...I wonder where that could be?
From A Tour of Long Island Roads During the 1909 One-Gallon Efficiency Test
My grandfather Redington R Robbins Sr was first mate to Vanderbilt on both the Ara and Alva around the world trips.
_______________________________________________
Howard Kroplick:
Very cool? Do you have any photos to share? If so, please forward them to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Thanks!
From One of Yachting's Dozen: William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Alva
Thanks for bringing the Tucker Howard. It was a HUGE hit at the New York AutoFest Oyster Bay Concours. Congratulations on winning The Survivor Award at the show.
From Tucker 1044 in Hemmings Motor News and Highlights from the Oyster Bay Concours
I lived off of IU Willets/Shelter Rock Rd and Old Motor was intact and behind Hamilton Park, Manhasset Hills and Links Golf Course…....we smoked alot of weed there
From Renovations to the Wheatley Hills Golf Club Uncover the Motor Parkway in East Williston
Amazing observation by all! This conclusion is truly amazing!!
From Mystery Foto #27 Solved:Massapequa-Hicksville Road Bridge During the 1909 One-Gallon Efficiency Test
Now that it’s not a Mystery no more, I came across this image on the “Detroit Public Library Digital Collections” website. Decided to search: “Railroads,NY” to possibly come across images of the LIRR/LIMP together. This image was described as “Autos passing under RR bridge”. Like I said in my first comment….That’s no RR bridge! Hope you all had fun with it. BDM
From Mystery Foto #27 Solved:Massapequa-Hicksville Road Bridge During the 1909 One-Gallon Efficiency Test
Ugh! I can’t believe I can figure this bridge out. Fantastic Foto Brian!!!
From Mystery Foto #27 Solved:Massapequa-Hicksville Road Bridge During the 1909 One-Gallon Efficiency Test
Page 612 of 1021 pages ‹ First < 610 611 612 613 614 > Last ›