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
Website by Eric Miller Design
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Recent Comments
This might have been one of the reasons the races were stopped,that’s what makes it historical.That’s all I can get out of this one
From Mystery Foto #39 Solved:The First Documented Automobile Railroad Crossing Accident in the USA Update
Great article/photos. The foreign cars appeared invincible. Robertson’s 1:48 tire change was a remarkable feat by itself, no doubt carefully orchestrated, I wonder if they left the tools behind and just ripped out of there! Now fifty dollars to view the races from your parked car in 1908, what does that translate to today? And the spectator’s three hour+ train ride back home from Levittown to L.I.C. via LIRR. Priceless stuff guys. Thank you again for this portal back to the past.
From Helck Family Collection: December 1944 Esquire Article "Robertson Comes Through"
Why is this accident considered historically significant? - Howard says so.
When, where and how did this accident occur? - When the driver tried to beat an LIRR train to the crossing and lost.
Who was the driver? - Some poor schnook.
Link the driver to William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. - http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/mystery_friday_foto_39_a_historic_accident_in_westbury
Identify the automobile - a total wreck.
You really SHOULDN’T post this one! Might that have been one of the first (if not the very first) fatal train-vs.-car wrecks on LI? The state of the steering wheel makes it highly unlikely that the driver/chauffeur survived and the condition of the car makes a speeding locomotive collision almost certain, flipping the car over the station platform alongside. Can’t wait for the dénouement. Sam, III
From Mystery Foto #39 Solved:The First Documented Automobile Railroad Crossing Accident in the USA Update
Horrors! Rank heresy! I have always loved Peter Helck’s paintings and visited him in Boston Corners but never questioned his accuracy. It seems to me, now, though, without resorting to a microscope and calipers, that the painting shows the balloon tires he had on the car, not the thinner ones used back during the race. Anyone? Sam, III
From Helck Family Collection: December 1944 Esquire Article "Robertson Comes Through"
Great article and photos. Captured the excitement of the time.
BTW, are those holes in the ground in front of the grandstands supposed to be for servicing the cars? Maybe this is where we got the term “pit lane”...
From Helck Family Collection: December 1944 Esquire Article "Robertson Comes Through"
I Googled my question about the Smithsonian, and they don’t seem to have anything like what I described. Seems to me that a L.I. museum (VANDERBILT??????!!!!) would be ideal for such an exhibit.
From Helck Family Collection: The Only Known Existing 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Flags?
If they don’t, the Smithsonian ought to have a display about the races. Those flags would be a part of such a display. A vintage race car, some life-sized dummies dressed up as spectators (male and female), incl. a man holding one of those flags, and all of them positioned in front of a huge photo blow-up of spectators watching one of the races with cars going by. It would look so great.
From Helck Family Collection: The Only Known Existing 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Flags?
Just a guess. First horseless carriage fatality involved accident with a train.
From Mystery Foto #39 Solved:The First Documented Automobile Railroad Crossing Accident in the USA Update
First racer to be hit by an LIRR train?
From Mystery Foto #39 Solved:The First Documented Automobile Railroad Crossing Accident in the USA Update
From Ariejan Bos:
It took me some time to realize that the remains of the wrecked car belonged to a 1901 or 1902 Mors. After that the search became rather straightforward. What we see are the remains of Fournier’s Mors, which was struck by a train in Westbury, Long Island on Thursday, October 30, 1901. It was recorded as the first ever train-car collision, at least in the USA. It was a serious accident, as the car had 6 occupants of which 3 were seriously, though not fatally injured. As you can read in the article from Automobile Topics William Vanderbilt Jr., whom they had met shortly before, had warned Fournier already for this apparently dangerous crossing.
As always thanks for all the wonderful stories and images posted on your website! And of course congratulations with the donation of the Peter Helck Collection to your archive, in my opinion a very valuable and important addition.
Regards,
Ariejan
From Mystery Foto #39 Solved:The First Documented Automobile Railroad Crossing Accident in the USA Update
Howard, Great news.
From The Motor Racing Archives of Peter Helck to Become Available on VanderbiltCupRaces.com
The only information I find on this is that the driver was G. Winthrop Sands, a stepson of William K Vanderbilt, Sr. Accident happened while on a trip from Dieppe, France to a castle at which the family was staying. Sands allegedly driving at 75 mph. Hope I have the right accident.
From Mystery Foto #39 Solved:The First Documented Automobile Railroad Crossing Accident in the USA Update
Thank you Howard.
So nobody is responsible for protecting this historic site?
So anyone is permitted to purchase a historical sign and put it up? The sign says town of Huntington on the top. I figured when a spot is designated as historical by a town there is some element of obligation to protect it.
Similar question with the Old Courthouse Road bridge. Is anyone responsible for protecting/maintaining this location?
There’s only a few of these remaining bridge locations. I want these amazing historical motor parkway remnants to be preserved.
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From Howard Kroplick:
The Old Courthouse Road Bridge was designated a Town of North Hempstead landmark in 2015. It can not be taken down without the approval of the Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission of North Hempstead. I am a permanent member of this commission as the town historian.
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/town_of_north_hempstead_designates_the_old_courthouse_road_motor_parkway_br
From Status Report: The Ezekiel Smith Farmway Bridge on Maxess Road in Melville Updated: 10/16/2016
A shot in the dark. It appears to be near a set of tracks, and the car appears to have been hit in the side or from 3/4 back. In looking around for Long Island auto train crashes in the 1900’s I could only manage one find. So I will go with this, but obviously the chances are low this is it.
Where ever Cronin’s Crossing might be…..“At the raising of the bars Mr. Sinnott started his machine across the tracks. The trolley car, heavily laden, rushed into collision with the automobile, and struck it amidships. Mrs. Sinnott was hurled twenty feet from the car by the shock, but Mr. Sinnott, as he was holding the steering gear, was not thrown out until the machine began to turn in the air. He let go his hold and landed on the ground several feet from the overturned machine.”
http://www3.gendisasters.com/new-york/2359/long-island,-ny-street-car-auto-wreck,-jul-1909
From Mystery Foto #39 Solved:The First Documented Automobile Railroad Crossing Accident in the USA Update
Very impressive these 100+ year old flags are still intact. Handle with care! Amazing stuff. Thank you Jerry for exposing them. Probably held by the same flagman in the 1905 photo. This will take some doing in research. The time machine is set to go back. Great stuff guys.
From Helck Family Collection: The Only Known Existing 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Flags?
Can someone please explain to me:
When a site is designated with a historical marker, is the town/county/state/anyone obligated to maintain/preserve it?
Good to know that it’s “currently” not planned to remove the bridge, but that wasn’t the most convincing answer. I’m scared we could go there next month and it could be one. Are they permitted to remove it? Is it protected in any way?
I’m sure these pipes could have been run in a different direction.
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From Howard Kroplick
Dave, the historic marker was placed by the former owner of the nearby office building and did not indicate any landmark status by a municipality.
From Status Report: The Ezekiel Smith Farmway Bridge on Maxess Road in Melville Updated: 10/16/2016
You’re so right J.O. Leave it to Howard,it never ends
From Helck Family Collection: The Only Known Existing 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Flags?
What an amazing and awesome find. Wow.
From Helck Family Collection: The Only Known Existing 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Flags?
Reminds me of the Mercury Capri when the 4 headlights are showing.
From Mystery Foto #38 Solved: The 1965 Bertone Mustang Concept Show Car Commissioned by AQ Update:9/23/16
That is the 1965 Bertone Mustang. It was commissioned by Automobile Quarterly Magazine for the New York International Automobile Show.
From Mystery Foto #38 Solved: The 1965 Bertone Mustang Concept Show Car Commissioned by AQ Update:9/23/16
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