Vanderbilt Cup Races

Guessing that’s a mountain range in the back ( but possibly a damaged photograph), its the 1914 VCR in Santa Monica, CA, Feb 27 1914. That could be Spencer Wishart (finished 13th) with the Mrs., arriving at the race.

From Mystery Foto #48 Solved: Duchess of Marlborough Leaving the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Grandstand

I have always admired the work of Peter Helck and suspect this painting will fetch far more at auction.  The letters and sketches included with the painting make this offering quite unique.   

Now this is a bit off subject, but what intrigues me most about Howard’s post is the following quote from Sotheby:

“Richard Roy met Peter Helck through their mutual friend, Jim Carpenter, around 1965, when Roy was trying to trace the provenance of an unusual Mercedes bronze.”

I wish there was a way that I could find out which “unusual Mercedes bronze” they are referring to.

From Update: A Peter Helck Painting "Willie K's Tour of Inspection" Sold for $48,875

Always have or get something for us to be amazed at and know about. It may be something for a mystery weekend

From Holiday Gift of the Week: Book "Car Crazy" by G. Wayne Miller

Another that I recognize and may be able to have some kind of answer,I hope

From Mystery Foto #48 Solved: Duchess of Marlborough Leaving the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Grandstand

I also see Louis Disbrow was one of the possible National drivers as well…

From Mystery Foto #47 Solved: The Two National Racers Entered in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Another weekend for me without research time!
I’m going with an educated guess on this one and say these are 2 Nationals from the 1910 VCR driven by Johnny Aiken and Al Livingston.

From Mystery Foto #47 Solved: The Two National Racers Entered in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race

This the National team for the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup race. Driver in the car in front is John Aitken, driver of the other car Charles Merz. Aitken would drive with number 10, Merz with number 11. Aitken lost a wheel after the 4th round and ended up on 12th place, Merz had engine problems and finished on 7th place. I have no clue for the location of the photo.

From Mystery Foto #47 Solved: The Two National Racers Entered in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Once again I sincerely think it’s amazing that after 107 years this road remains in tact like this. I know it’s crazy but I greatly prefer these Nassau County parkway remnant locations over the Queens maintained portions. I definitely think the county needs to preserve this road, but not mess with it.

The Bethpage section starting at the Stewart Ave abutment (where it all began) and going all the way through the Bethpage Restoration to the bridge is just a wonderful stretch. I highly recommend it. Bring your kids out and start exploring!

Brian you are completely correct. Every time Sammy and I drive past a Motor Parkway location we both give it a salute. It’s a special thing for us. I have never been inside the GC Toll lodge. It’s been closed every time I’ve been there. Anything good to see in there? I have met some people who grew up in GC and claim that the lodge, before it was moved, was a fantastic meeting location / drinking spot.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure” VIII: On to Deadman's Curve

Love these adventures.  I am SOOOOOO OLD that I actually drove on the DMC!  Well - sort of - see <http://sbiii.com/limpkwy5.html#limpapoc>.  Keep posting!  “Old” Sam, III

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure” VIII: On to Deadman's Curve

National race cars driven by Aitken (#10 finished 3rd) and Disbrow (#31 finished 4th) at Long Island in October 1910. The cars are probably just arriving at their race headquarters because they still have their headlights installed.

From Mystery Foto #47 Solved: The Two National Racers Entered in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Fascinating car and fascinating story.  Until you bought that car, I didn’t even know about its existance.  My wife and I owned a ‘67 Mustang coupe and I’m upset that we ever sold it.  Loved that car.
Rog

From Blue Smoke Article: How the Mustang III was Saved

Howard Thank you for saving and more importantly sharing such rich automotive history in your Alco, Mustang and Chrysler

From Blue Smoke Article: How the Mustang III was Saved

20+ years ago I visited the Garden City Chamber of Commerce on 7th St (original toll structure). After leaving a donation of course, I explored the museum. There was another visitor who thought “I was too young to be interested in this stuff”. He could see I was genuinely interested. And then he said “You have been bitten by the motor pkwy bug”. And yes I am. So Dave, I say too you; “You have been bitten by the LIMP bug”. Your video is a nice touch.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure” VIII: On to Deadman's Curve

As Howard can attest, my son Gram and I made an ongoing journey much like this some years ago…and Gram, 9 or 10 at the time, concurred that Deadman’s Curve was his favorite part of the Vanderbilt as well. My grandfather worked on the road at that spot and, in fact, bought land just to the left of where you are and built a wonderful brick house just a block or so away.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure” VIII: On to Deadman's Curve

Great photos and video. Thanks for sharing!!! I thought I was the only one checking out these spots. Lol.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure” VIII: On to Deadman's Curve

great pics…just one note…the road actually is NOT at the fence line. It runs through people’s backyards. I had the privilege of viewing the road in someone’s backyard right in that area. Sad and cool at the same time

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure” VIII: On to Deadman's Curve

Well…...I’ll probably make myself look bad, but…...I will guess…...the two cars are National 40’s…...(now this could all be a trick for guys like me but…...) I will guess the drivers are Aiken and Merz as the further away driver does not look like Disbrow.

Both drove in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup race.  I am guessing this because I seem to recall some later racing Nationals were a dark blue and few later were white.  The dark blue seemed to be the Speedway cars and west coast cars so far as I can recall.

As far as where this is….I’ve no clue, but with headlights on, spares on board it would suggest a point to point race rather than a 24 hour grinder as I’m not sure the added weight with close pit proximity was used on grinders, but I could be wrong.

I know little of NY longer point to point races needing headlamps, but I’ll yield to leave it for others and am looking forward to hearing the locale.

From Mystery Foto #47 Solved: The Two National Racers Entered in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race

These race are. National. If I only knew the #s of the cars I would do better. I do know something though, the National #8 won the second Indy 500 driven by Joe Dawson in 1912 and these cars raced in 1909,10 and 12

From Mystery Foto #47 Solved: The Two National Racers Entered in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race

I think I do remember these cars.Now to remember when and where.

From Mystery Foto #47 Solved: The Two National Racers Entered in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race

I enjoyed reading that article….Thanks…

From Queens Chronicle: Long Island Motor Parkway a revolutionary road