Vanderbilt Cup Races

Love the ol’ historic photos and the challenging mysteries they can bring. This one is truly a toughy, as my answer still persists with just one annoying conflict left, so hoping for the best here. Another amazement with this photo is that I was brought up just 1.5 miles from here in Woodside, and this photo is totally unrecognizable to me. 
With some searching, I have this house located as 12 Fourth Street (Ithaca Street), just southwest of the corner of Newtown Avenue (Pettit Avenue) in Elmhurst, as the ‘Atlantic White Lead & Linseed Oil’, belonging to painter and decorator, Richard P. Luckner.

Scroll down to check the ad on the right.
http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper4/Newtown NY Register/Newtown NY Register 1915 Grayscale/Newtown NY Register 1915 Grayscale - 0402.pdf

If I’m correct so far, the year is 1915. This mystery LIMP sign will ultimately direct you to the preferred route (along with other LIMP signs) to the LIMP’s Rocky Hill Lodge western terminus and entrance at today’s Springfield Blvd (9.5 miles away). But a shorter, less desirable route was possible by taking Queens Blvd east (Hoffman Blvd), hanging a left at Plank Rd (63rd Rd), going through Strong Causeway (through the Valley of Ashes dump site (who’d want to travel that way)), and proceed through North Hemp Tpke (Booth Memorial Ave) to the Rocky Hill Lodge (9.1 miles). Times were tough back then. Looking forward to this week’s answers. Thanks Al

From Mystery Foto #14 Solved: A Motor Parkway Sign at Queens Boulevard and Grand Avenue Circa 1928

Thanks Howard !
GREAT FIND ROZ !!!

From The 1913 Metropolitan Automobile Guide and the Long Island Motor Parkway

TRIANON?
My Google search revealed:  “itdoesn’t really have a meaning, it is an actual name, though in either French or Spanish, “Trianon” suggests a special place with pleasant surroundings, beauty and balance”.  Seems a suitable location after a strenuous motor trip and before returning to the City.

From The 1913 Metropolitan Automobile Guide and the Long Island Motor Parkway

Very good find. The map portraying Bethpage and Colonial Springs exhibit LIRR spurs extending to the LIMP northwards in 2 areas. I know spurs existed in Bethpage and Colonial Springs for the transportation of bricks. The spurs impacting the LIMP is what I’m not so sure of.

From The 1913 Metropolitan Automobile Guide and the Long Island Motor Parkway

OK, here goes:

Location of photo in Elmhurst, Queens. Explain my finding:  This building ( perhaps a hardware/paint store ) was located on the S/S of todays Queens Blvd. ( Hoffman Blvd in past ). I came to this assumption by accessing an edition of “The evening world” newspaper dated 7/20/1911 pg 4 via the nyshistoricnewspapers.org website. The notation at the bottom of pg 4 states NEW STORE at 2 Broadway, corner of Hoffman Blvd. Elmhurst NY opening this morning. Presently, a Hoffman Dr extends just south of Queens Blvd. There was (and still may be ) St Johns Hospital at this location. The hospital’s address came up as 90-02 Queens Blvd, but it may have closed and became housing.

What entrance is the Motor Pkwy sign directing to?  At the time, it would’ve been a short distance to Horace Harding Blvd. So, the sign was directing east to the LIMP entrance off Horace Harding Blvd.

Manufacturers, years of 2 automobiles?  My best guess for the auto on the left is a 1920ish Chevy, and the auto on the right is a 1920ish Dodge.

Approx. photo date: The entrance to the LIMP via Horace Harding Blvd was established in 1928. So, with the Motor Parkway sign existing; I’ll say 1930.

I’m looking forward to everyone’s responses. Doesn’t matter if I’m right or wrong. Keeping my brain working is a good thing.

From Mystery Foto #14 Solved: A Motor Parkway Sign at Queens Boulevard and Grand Avenue Circa 1928

Mostly guesses this week since I can’t really make any confirmations. I’ll make revision posts if I discover anything new, but for now I’m somewhat stumped.

Identify the exact location of the photo in Elmhurst, Queens. Provide a rationale.

According to your site,  “The Long Island Motor Parkway, Inc. placed directional signs along Nassau Boulevard (later renamed Horace Harding Parkway) to help motorists find the entrance to the Motor Parkway. [signs were} placed at the corner of Nassau Boulevard and Rodman Street (later renamed College Point Boulevard). The same sign was placed at the intersection of (Nassau) Boulevard and Kissena Boulevard”
So my guess would be that the sign might be at one of those locations. Although the two other photos I have seen of the sign are left facing and not right facing like the mystery photo sign.

What entrance is the Motor Parkway sign pointing to?

Nassau Boulevard toll booth

Identify the years and manufacturers of the automobiles

Quick guess on the car on he right would be a 1925 Chevrolet Model K. Unsure of the car on the left.

What is the approximate date of the photo?

The other Motor Parkway sign photos that I’ve seen are dated; Feb 17, 1931 I’ll guess this photo as around the same date or close.

From Mystery Foto #14 Solved: A Motor Parkway Sign at Queens Boulevard and Grand Avenue Circa 1928

After spending more hours than I care to admit researching this one, it’s time for some guesses (educated or otherwise): based on the shadow of the sun, I think we’re looking southeast late in the afternoon. So what road heads in that direction with a left turn to the LIMP (in Elmhurst) and would be under construction in the time period indicated by the visable cars? I think it might be the intersection of Queens Blvd. and Horace Harding Blvd. If so, the sign is pointing to the western terminus of the LIMP in Fresh Meadows. Since the westward extension of Horace Harding Blvd. from Flushing to Queens Blvd. was completed in 1935, I’ll guess the date around 1934. As to the two cars, I think the one on the right might be a 1926 Chevrolet; no clue on the other.

From Mystery Foto #14 Solved: A Motor Parkway Sign at Queens Boulevard and Grand Avenue Circa 1928

Guessing, the booth as to why built and left unmanned was the discovery later of potential traffic buildup spilling back into HHB. Though intended as a toll collection device, as with the sign, it also served as a toll road emblem alerting lost travelers to avoid. Regardless, because it was left unmanned made the Rocky Hill Lodge, with its two ramps, a busy place for unintentional toll travelers. But those travelers did get to enjoy a pleasant 2 mile park ride under canopied trees for free.

From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures: #1 Nassau Boulevard Lodge In Fresh Meadows, Queens

Yesterday, for the first time, I visited the bldg. in Bethpage that has the roof of one of the two hangars of the LICCA (L.I. Country Club Airport).  Frank Femenias gives the lengths of the hangars as 100 feet each.  Just for fun, I’ll make a return trip and measure the portion of the new bldg. that’s just beneath the hangar roof and see what it turns out to be. 
  After making my first visit to it yesterday and taking some pictures, (it can be be seen much better from the Google earth satelite, for anyone interested), I went to the L.I. Book Fair at LIU Post.  A gentleman next to me at one of the booths was browsing through a book on L.I. history, and I noticed by looking over his shoulder a 2-page spread on the Vanderbilt Motor Pkwy that had caught his attention.  He took the book to pay for it before I could get a better look.  As he walked away with it I asked if he wouldn’t mind letting me see those 2 pages.  He asked if I was interested in the Parkway, and when I said that I was —tangentialy, that my main interest was a nearby airport, he asked, “Are you Richard Sloan?!”  I countered with “Howard?!”  It was our first meeting.  His lovely wife approached, and he introduced me to her.  A lovely couple!

From Searching for the Site of the Long Island Aviation Country Club & the Grandstands Updated 5/3/16

Great find, Roz!

From The 1913 Metropolitan Automobile Guide and the Long Island Motor Parkway

Check out Old Courthouse Rd extending to the north. I was unable to connect it to anywhere. Is East Shore Rd its continuous route?

From The 1913 Metropolitan Automobile Guide and the Long Island Motor Parkway

Nice catch Roz. This one is a first for me and most likely not published anywhere. These things are extremely rare to come by and you were at the right place at the right time! Very nice.

From The 1913 Metropolitan Automobile Guide and the Long Island Motor Parkway

Very interesting

From Update: VanderbiltCupRaces Exclusive- Inside William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Hangar and Seaplane

Wade, do you remember the name of the wrecking yard he worked at? My dad (John Lawrence) owned the one on grant ave and he also did the towing for islip speedway.

From Mystery Foto #37 Solved: Islip Speedway in the 1960s

Good one Al. Even though I was brought up near here, just about a mile west in Woodside, as a kid on a bike imprinting all the surrounding areas in memory, I haven’t a clue where the heck this place this. Amazing what time can do!. This will take some doing. Hagstrom Maps can’t help me now

From Mystery Foto #14 Solved: A Motor Parkway Sign at Queens Boulevard and Grand Avenue Circa 1928

Looks like you had a great time,as always. I sure miss seeing and hearing the Beast live,will I ever see it agiain? I guess only time will tell. Well got to get to bed bed,falling asleep here.

From Smiles and Thumbs Up at the 61st Annual Easter Vintage Car Parade in Garden City

I’ve got a few minutes before I have to eat. The Pegasus,It’s an ok car,the front and sides,I like,but the back of it I don’t like,it looks like it doesn’t belong to the car,it doesn’t fit in right,the roof is too high,the fastback look would have looked better I think

From Mystery Foto #13 Solved: Mustang Pegasus and Mustang III on Display at the 1965 Autorama in Detroit

Well…..if you’re gonna miss the mark, miss it by a bunch…...ah well, congrats to all and maybe next time.

From Mystery Foto #13 Solved: Mustang Pegasus and Mustang III on Display at the 1965 Autorama in Detroit

I’m looking for specifications and any other detailed info on the Thomas Torpedo race car.  Right now I don’t even have documentation proofing that the Torpedo was made by the ER Thomas firm in Buffalo, NY.  I certainly believe it was (made by Thomas) but all I can seem to find on the car are race results, not details about the car.  Can anyone steer me toward some detailed information?  Does anyone have a guess as to whatever happened to Torpedo race car?  The Thomas Torpedo seems to be overshadowed by the Thomas Flyer which won the 1908 NY-To-Paris Race, and that’s probably why the Torpedo seems to have been forgotten.  Thank you in advance!  /Brian S.; Elma, NY USA
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From Howard Kroplick

Brian, here are some links that may be useful:

http://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/photo-gallery/ca-coey-thomas-torpedo-1905

https://books.google.com/books?id=oVIfAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA56&lpg=PA56&dq=thomas+torpedo+race+car&source=bl&ots=y6NeTy1sla&sig=kq1CLfc4muCQuKUD2nMp1iSFqro&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj0vJKdg-bLAhXMPB4KHf1vA1EQ6AEITDAM#v=onepage&q=thomas%20torpedo%20race%20car&f=false

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: Edwin Ross (E.R.) Thomas and Charles Andrew (C.A.) Coey at Krug's Hotel

All of this stuff should have been preserved. More hiking could have been done here. The planners of Levittown didn’t think of the future enough.

From Searching for the Site of the Long Island Aviation Country Club & the Grandstands Updated 5/3/16