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
I’m going to revise my earlier answer to the last question and say it was performed after the movie as documentation by its originator says it toured as stunt before and after the movie.
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Greatest Car Stunt in Film History in the "Man With the Golden Gun"
In which film did this car stunt appear? Provide the film’s release year and its major stars. : 1974 James Bond film “The Man with Golden Gun” starring Roger Moore with Christopher Lee, Pritt Ekland, Maude Adams and Herve Villechaize.
Some movie clips of the stunt.
http://jalopnik.com/the-james-bond-corkscrew-jump-was-the-first-computer-mo-1711459704
https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s—MaYGl9Ol—/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/1299822428119295528.gif
Short versions
https://youtu.be/fzCIbhLUUA0
https://youtu.be/trJocyjCBzo
Long version
https://youtu.be/sCU8fVgGsPg
Where was this stunt filmed? Thailand
Identify the manufacturer of the car and its model. AMC Hornet X
What was the name of the stunt driver? Bumps Willard
Why is this car stunt credited with making cinematic history? First automotive movie stunt extensively using computer modeling. Also was successful on the scene’s first take (thankfully).
What was the major criticism of the car stunt as seen in the film? The whistle heard during the stunt.
When and where was this car stunt first performed prior to appearing in the film?
The stunt was patented in 1972 (patent documentation being sent to Howard along with more). It was first performed that year in the Houston Astrodome.
What was the official name of the stunt? “Astro Spiral Jump”
Has this car stunt ever been successfully replicated? No
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Greatest Car Stunt in Film History in the "Man With the Golden Gun"
Mystery Foto #3…This stunt appeared in the Bond film called “The Man With the Golden Gun” Released in 1974, starring Roger Moore, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland and Maud Adams. The stunt was filmed in Thailand. The car was an AMC Hornet driven by Loren “Bumps” Willard. The cinematic history regarding this stunt was… First car stunt to be computer modeled or simulated so that could get it right without killing someone. The criticism of the car stunt was a rather poor, hokey sound track.
Stunt first performed prior to appearing in the film was 1972 in Houston Astrodome. The stunt name was “Astro Spiral Jump” or “Bond Corkscrew”.
This stunt was replicated by Hollywood stuntman Brent Fletcher. He accelerated his buggy at a scientifically pre-planned speed of 54 mph. He sped into a split-level ramp which enabled the car to “corkscrew” through the air at a rate of 230 degrees per second.
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Greatest Car Stunt in Film History in the "Man With the Golden Gun"
This is an easy one.
This is from the Dukes of Hazzard, filmed in Hazzard County, GA. The car is a 1969 Dodge Charger was known as the “General Lee” and was owned by cousins Bo and Luke Duke. They were probably being chased by Sheriff Riscoe Pico Train who was supervised by Boss Hogg. This must have been a trailer of some sort because the “01” is not on the car door yet nor is the confederate federate flag on the roof. What a great show!
Ok obviously this is not correct but hopefully brought back some memories!
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Greatest Car Stunt in Film History in the "Man With the Golden Gun"
.....and lastly…...In 2008, the British automotive show, Top Gear, tried to recreate the cork-screw jump but failed to pull it off. Top Gear claims the stunt has never been successfully recreated.
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Greatest Car Stunt in Film History in the "Man With the Golden Gun"
The stunt is from the 1974 “The Man with the Golden Gun” with Roger Moore as James Bond an also starring Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Maud Adams, Marc Lawrence.
The car is an AMC Hornet.
The stunt on Youtoob.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzCIbhLUUA0
The science to the stunt first performed at the Astrodome in an AMC Javelin and was known as the Astro Spiral Jump and conceived and first completed by Jay Millikan. I recall reading about this back in the early 70’s. As I recall he was to perform 2 jumps however on the first jump the car lost oil pressure and was unable to start for a second attempt. So somewhere there is a famous Javelin that can’t start.
http://jalopnik.com/the-james-bond-corkscrew-jump-was-the-first-computer-mo-1711459704
The Bond stunt was performed in 1973 in Thailand for the movie by British stuntman Loren “Bumps” Willard and credited as the first computer simulated/aided car stunt. It was accompanied in the movie by an unfortunate slide flute sound which was condemned as minimizing the danger and mastery of the jump.
https://jt78.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/the-man-with-the-golden-gun-corkscrew-jump/
.....and lastly…...In 2008, the British automotive show, Top Gear, tried to recreate the cork-screw jump but failed to pull it off. Top Gear claims the stunt has never been successfully recreated.
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Greatest Car Stunt in Film History in the "Man With the Golden Gun"
1974 RED AMC HORNET X CORK SCREW JUMP IN THE MOVIE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN IT WAS THE FIRST COMPUTER SIMULATED JUMP
CONCEIVED BY JAY MILLIGAN
FILMED IN RURAL THILAND
8 CAMERAS TOOK THE FILM
THE STUNT WAS PATENTED SO NO ONE ELSE WOULD US IT
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Greatest Car Stunt in Film History in the "Man With the Golden Gun"
Hi Howard:
The stunt is from the movie: The Man With The Golden Gun starring Roger Moore
as James Bond from 1974. I believe the stunt is called an Aerial Twist or Astro Spiral.
The car is a AMC Matador and was filmed in several locations including Thailand.
All The Best Always, Cordially, Ron
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Greatest Car Stunt in Film History in the "Man With the Golden Gun"
The original Tribune article was printed in 1938. I found a similar article on the front page of the Nassau Daily Review-Star dated June 23, 1938. You’ll have to take my word for it - the site was protected and would not let me copy, save, or forward.
From The Dudgeon "Red Devil" Steam Wagon Legal Case Updated: 1/20/2017
The two photos of the engine submitted by David Grappolo, listed as intake and exhaust, I think it should be reverse.
From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: The Apperson Jack Rabbit Racer Built for the 1906 American Elimination Trial
Bonjour,
Louis Wagner était le frère de ma grand-mère et en cherchant des documents sur sa carrière, je suis arrivé sur votre site. Je pensai, ainsi que mes cousins, qu’il avait commencé sa carrière de pilote en 1905; mais d’après vos archives c’est en 1903 qu’il a débuté. Formidable, je vais pouvoir compléter le diaporama que j’avais commencé pour la famille avec les photos que je possédai déjà.
Encore un grand merci.
Alain
__________________________________________________________________________
Translation
Hello,
Louis Wagner was my grandmother’s brother and I have been looking for documents about his career and found your website. I thought, as did my cousins, that he had begun his career as a driver in 1905; But according to your archives, he began in 1903. I will now be able to complete the slideshow I had began with the family photos that I already owned. A big thank you.
Alain
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: From the Helck Family Collection- Driver Louis Wagner
HOWARD: VERY NICE TRIBUTE TO THE AIRMEN LAST SUNDAY, MY FATHER TOLD ME THE STORY MANY TIMES AND i WENT TO NHP. MEMORIAL H.S. ACROSS THE STREET. THE KITCHEN WINDOW WAS CRACKED FROM THE BOMBS, IN 1942 AND MY FATHER TOLD ME WHY THE WINDOW WAS CRACKED, AND WE LIVE 1.1 MILES FROM THE LOCATION. GREAT JOB, AND THANKS ARTIE. ( I still live in the same house but have changed the window!) .
From Town of North Hempstead to Hold Memorial This Sunday for Five Airmen Killed in a 1942 Bomber Crash
I remember my summers out in the Hamptons during the 50’s with much fondness. Sometimes on rainy days my mother would go shopping in Southampton. On the way she would drop my friends and myself off at the museum. We were allowed to play among the cars without supervision. However, even at young age we were respectful of what was there. Sooner or later Austie would wander in, gather us up and take us for ride on the dirt roads behind the museum in his antique fire engine. Once in a while I got to sit in the front seat with him and ring the bell.
From Hamptons Road Trip: A 1928 Renault Barn Find & Site of the Long Island Automotive Museum Up for Sale
We see George Robertson and mechanician Warren in a 90 HP Apperson, built for the Elimination Trials for the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup. The car never made it to the starting line, because it had a serious accident by hitting a telegraph pole during practice. The car was completely bent around the pole, but miraculously both driver and mechanician were not seriously hurt.
For 1907 from this racer a high speed runabout was developed, the ‘Jack Rabbit’. This car was according to the description in the ‘Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal’ a racing car of medium power and light weight, constructed in many aspects along the lines of the 1906 racer. The car had a 50 hp motor and was geared to 75 miles an hour at 1200 rpm. It must have been a thrill to drive it at that speed on the American country roads ...
From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: The Apperson Jack Rabbit Racer Built for the 1906 American Elimination Trial
The Southhampton Auto Museum opened about the same time, right? now finally up for sale. Did James Melton know Henry Austin Clark at the time?
From The Melton Museum of Norwalk, Connecticut (1948-1953)
An Apperson car which was trying to be entered for the 1906 Cup race, but crashed
during qualifying on Old Westbury Road, Roslyn. The driver was George Robertson and the
mechanician was Arthur Warren. The crash destroyed the vehicle, which had a nickname, “The Jackrabbit”.
From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: The Apperson Jack Rabbit Racer Built for the 1906 American Elimination Trial
From David Grappolo:
- Identify the racer including year, manufacturer, and nickname
1906 90 HP Apperson racer
Nickname: “Big Dick”
- Identify the driver and mechanician in the Mystery Foto
Driver: George Robertson (which also took part in the 1905 Vanderbilt Elimination Trials on 60 HP Christie)
Mechanic: Warren
- In which Vanderbilt Cup Race was this racer built for?
1906 Vanderbilt Cup
- What happened to the racer?
Accident during practice
From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: The Apperson Jack Rabbit Racer Built for the 1906 American Elimination Trial
From Robert R.:
Back when I was a teenager, my parents lived in Greenwich.
There used to be a Mobil station/parking garage on Arch Street, across from the RR station. The space now is occupied by Carriage House.
Jimmy Melton used to keep a few cars there, the most notable (to me) being what had to be the first motor home. Velveteen seats, a small galley, and even an enclosed toilet. I’d say it could seat about 12 people.
I used to just love to go look at it, and on occasion, sneak inside.
Would love to find out where it is today.
From The Melton Museum of Norwalk, Connecticut (1948-1953)
Yeeks! Simeone is only 2 miles from my stepson’s house! With an S Mercedes and a SS-100 Jag there, it’s off to Philly ASAP for me! Sam, III
From A 1907 Renault 35-45 HP "Vanderbilt Racer" has a New Home in Philadelphia
WOW! Two references to Kirk Gibson in one day’s post AND to George Waterman in this one, too. My interest in them is primarily because they owned, and drove, the 1866 Dudgeon Steam Wagon now in the Smithsonian, <http://sbiii.com/dudgeon.html>, et seq. Sam, III
_____________________________________________________
From Howard Kroplick I
FYI, Kirk Gibson Sr.‘s son Kirk Gibson, Jr. was the person who donated the Renault Vanderbilt Racer to the Simeone Museum. I encourage you to visit this wonderful museum!
From A 1907 Renault 35-45 HP "Vanderbilt Racer" has a New Home in Philadelphia
Page 658 of 1023 pages ‹ First < 656 657 658 659 660 > Last ›