Vanderbilt Cup Races

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

Make them leave the sacred road alone!

From William A. Bellmer Article: "The Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City"

Yes, sad that this part of the Parkway is once again being thrown to the wayside.  But relics still remain.  See my website for some update pics.   

http://www.freewebs.com/limparkway/levittown20142015new.htm

Also, an additional two homes are planned on the east side Heron, two blocks to the west of Crocus. 

Richard - you probably saw this in your research, but in case you haven’t here’s a website with much info. on the airport. 
http://www.airfields-freeman.com/NY/Airfields_NY_LongIs_Nassau.htm#aviationcountryclub

If you want any help retreiving newspaper articles about the airport let me know.  I’m a Levittown resident and enjoy local history, especially right around the corner (almost).

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

Thanks Frank.As I said,we went for it,gave downpaymemt,move in is June2nd. This move will be well worth in the end as you said and I do need lots of luck

From Mystery Foto #12 Solved: A Memorable Moment at Krug's Corner at the 1906 American Elimination Trial

Don’t know the event but this could be one of the Mustang prototype sisters (a lost one, haven’t been able to find anything on this sibling). It has some similarities to the Mustang II prototype but not quite. The oval headlights and the missing horse on the grille possibly dates it pre Aug 1962, when it was not yet decided which way the horse should face. Its cuter younger sister Mustang III Shorty is sitting behind on the left, and way in the back center could be a Richard Petty racer #43, but not the Superbird as it’s missing the rear spoiler.

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

I remain saddened that this intensely historic site seems deemed unworthy of future preservation but energized that research such as this might actually and eventually reverse that before all is lost. Spent some wondrous years strolling this area with my son Gram a few years back and not a year goes by without him asking if we can visit the grandstands once again!
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From Howard Kroplick:

James, at one point Nassau County was looking into purchasing the property as a park. However, when many of the surrounding residents opposed having a park in their backyards, the plan was dropped.

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

Ted, sounds like an irresistible deal. A location near the shore may be important for you. If this place is, GO FOR IT! Lots of moving but I think it’s worth it in the end. GOOD LUCK.

From Mystery Foto #12 Solved: A Memorable Moment at Krug's Corner at the 1906 American Elimination Trial