Vanderbilt Cup Races

Don’t know why I threw my two cents in here…been a long-time reader but have always been blown away by the depth and breadth of knowledge all of you have. But there is something about this area that always intrigued me. That corner has remained so desolate and barren, which seems odd in today’s LI. Sure, the obvious chunk of the road that is on the cover is not there, but it’s really not all that different now.

From The Helck Family Memoirs: 1973 Newsday "What Ever Became of the Vanderbilt Parkway?" Updated 7/14/16

I have an Ellisco can as well…rusted but no hole and the rust appears to be surface rust.  Was passed down to me.  But- my can has the letters T.W.O.S.C on it as opposed to GROSC.. Have no idea of the definition.

From Mystery Foto #86 Solved: Antique Five Gallon Can Manufactured by George D. Ellis & Sons, Inc.

Hey Brian—-LOL it just didn’t look like the location you said it was for a few reasons but I’m glad it’s solved. That being said, you guys are marvels at figuring out these things with all the topographical skills that you have and that some discover via the internet and aerial photos, etc. It’s really amazing.

The discussion about the Caroline Street posts (Bethpage) was my favorite, and still unsolved despite great info that was uncovered. Between you guys that like to research extensively and myself who would rather go the site and explore we make a pretty good team.

From The Helck Family Memoirs: 1973 Newsday "What Ever Became of the Vanderbilt Parkway?" Updated 7/14/16

It’s the original UN, home to Sperry Corp. for many years, the creation of Israel was done there, photo Is facing south, mid 1940, car on northern state is 1940 41 ford or Willys, motor parkway can be seen in bottom right corner of picture, dark roadway passing over northern state

From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: The Sperry Gyroscope Plant in Lake Success on September 27, 1952

Original UN Building in Lake Success (Became the Sperry Building)
Looking South East - South of Northern state
LIMP - bridge located on the right
Lakeville road - bridge on the right (Parallel to LIMP)
1945-1947 Time Range - just after WWII
UN Declared Israel Independence from this location

From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: The Sperry Gyroscope Plant in Lake Success on September 27, 1952

Date is before 1969, since I can still see the LIMP in the bottom corner.  The picture is the original United Nations building, where Israel was founded.  The picture is taken from (approximately) above the Vanderbilt Lakeville Mansion.  It looks to the south east.  With the Northern State Parkway at the bottom running left to right, and Marcus Ave running slightly higher in the picture.

From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: The Sperry Gyroscope Plant in Lake Success on September 27, 1952

I don’t believe a “mystery photo” had as many comments as this blog post. Thanks for initially questioning my assumed location of the 1973 photo, Dave Russo. If it wasn’t for Frank Drebins comment, I might be still scratching my head over this. I even sent Howard an email about all this. If your paying attention Frank, thank you.

From The Helck Family Memoirs: 1973 Newsday "What Ever Became of the Vanderbilt Parkway?" Updated 7/14/16

Thanks for sharing.

From Walter McCarthy Collection: A Tribute to Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Yes. Kudos to Frank. That is definitely the location.

And once you cross the wantagh parkway there are original wood posts that still stand. . Pictures to come as part of Vanderbilt day II pics sent to Howard!

From The Helck Family Memoirs: 1973 Newsday "What Ever Became of the Vanderbilt Parkway?" Updated 7/14/16

Congratulations to Ariejan Bos, the undisputed king of mystery photo identification, for his outstanding research effort.

From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Drivers and Mechanicians of the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race & Sweepstakes

You may be correct, Frank Drebin. The LIMP bridged over Westbury Rd. Then the road seen ahead would be Salisbury Park Dr ( Gradually uprising eastward over Wantagh St Pkwy ). You can’t see Westbury Rd because of the photo angle. And the tower line is still on the S/S of the ROW. In this area, there’s underground electric transmission basically on the N/S of the ROW. This transmission replaced the wood poles w/3 cross arms each in the past. And what I see in the distance to the right is the R/O the Newbridge Rd substation. It appears that we are looking at the remains of the LIMP just W/O Westbury Rd, and this would’ve been demolished with the widening of the intersection there, or because of the apartment/condo complex where the 2 roads meet.

From The Helck Family Memoirs: 1973 Newsday "What Ever Became of the Vanderbilt Parkway?" Updated 7/14/16

From Ariejan Bos:

Photo A: Joe Dawson (#25 Marmon)
Photo B: Unknown person in Columbia sweater and in Columbia car #12 (Not Harold Stone!)
Photo C: Billy Pearce (Falcar #41)
Photo D: Joe Nelson (Oldsmobile #5)
Photo E: Bert Dingley and C.F. Oswood (Pope-Hartford #22)
Photo F: Unknown Mercer #42 or #47 driver (cf. M)
Photo G: Joe Matson (Corbin #14)
Photo H: Louis Disbrow (National #31)
Photo I: Frank O’Brien (Falcar #41 mechanician of Billy Pearce)
Photo J: Harry Stillman (Oldsmobile #20)
Photo K: Frank Gelnaw (Falcar #46)
Photo L: Fred Heinemann and H.B. Patty (Marmon #45)
Photo M: Unknown Mercer #42 or #47 driver (same person as F)

Regards,
Ariejan

From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Drivers and Mechanicians of the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race & Sweepstakes

The bottom photo from the article cover page looks like where Salisbury Park Drive and Old Westbury Road split. It looks like the Suburban Park Jewish Center on the right.

From The Helck Family Memoirs: 1973 Newsday "What Ever Became of the Vanderbilt Parkway?" Updated 7/14/16

What a great video. It’s a toss up between your’s and his. I would have to see it live to decide,seeing and hearing it in action. Have a Happy & Safe 4th of July to all of you.

From Henry Austin Clark Jr. and his 1911 Mercer 35R Raceabout

I enjoyed that ...

From Henry Austin Clark Jr. and his 1911 Mercer 35R Raceabout

After meeting Hal and hearing him speak in Southampton and seeing this film, I think H. Austin Clark Jr.‘s legacy is in good hands.

From Henry Austin Clark Jr. and his 1911 Mercer 35R Raceabout

Wonderful photographs, Gregg Merksamer is a great guy and author of a book on the history of the NY Automobile show.

From The Artwork of Gregg Merksamer:Chrysler's Chrysler & Mustang III at the Greenwich Concours 2012-2016

Yes Dave, especially when you stand under the 1910 date right?

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure” XI: Old Bethpage Bridge

Thanks so much ,first visit to track was in 1957, then in 1991 I got to take my 1987 FX16 GTS around the track ,the track was rented for a day and various cars showed up,first time for me on the track with my Toyota was a thrill I’ll never forget especially since I made an 8mm video from a camera mounted where the passenger seat normally goes. You films reminded me to watch mine ,no racing just the thrill of driving that track, WOW!
______________________________

From Howard Kroplick:

Thomas, can you forward a copy to share on VanderbiltCupRaces.com ?

From Film "1957 Bridgehampton Race Circuit Inauguration"

It’s me again, Dave. I was just viewing a 1953 aerial of this area. Universe Dr is well established running west of Wantagh Ave. It’s blurry, but I think there’s a abutment remnant at the intersection of Wantagh Ave; W/S ( it doesn’t appear to block traffic ). Then east of Wantagh Ave, you can see the LIMP roadbed. So, no surprise; a good part of Universe Dr was built over the LIMP roadbed. And just south of here is former Central ROW/ presently PSEG LI ROW. So I’m not quite sure what road is seen “ahead”, but pretty sure from my “photographic memory”; that the Levittown substation( PSEG LI facility ) is in the distance to the right. This substation is closer to Hicksville Rd ( Rte 107 ).

From The Helck Family Memoirs: 1973 Newsday "What Ever Became of the Vanderbilt Parkway?" Updated 7/14/16