Vanderbilt Cup Races

Both of these photos were probably taken at Bridgehampton, NY on May 24, 1952. That was “race day” for the SCCA road race event. Vehicle #1 is “The Beast” (not to be confused with the “Black Beast”) and was owned by Charles “Chuck” Kotchan. It was formerly called the “Case Super Special Speedster” by a prior owner.  Kotchan used it as a tow-car for his racer, an EFFYH, which can be seen on a trailer behind “The Beast”. Vehicle #2 is the world famous “Old 16” Locomobile, winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup, with winning driver Joe Tracy behind the wheel. Next to him in the beret is Peter Helck, the car’s owner, with his son Jerry behind him.

From Mystery Fotos #50 Solved: Old 16 and The Beast in Bridgehampton (1951-1952)

Well,one of the thing I know,it’s 1951,by the license plate on on car 2,now if I could only make out what state the license plate is on car 1 and I think by the emblem on the hood,that it might be a Austin Martin. Car 2 couldn’t be old 16 could it?,that would be too easy.

From Mystery Fotos #50 Solved: Old 16 and The Beast in Bridgehampton (1951-1952)

I love your publication! Thank you!
Has there ever been any interest in restoring the old museum and it’s property? It would be so fitting to the memory of Austin as his was one of the very first museums dedicated to motor vehicles. I hate to see it just rotting away if it is still there.
Most Sincerely,
Rick A. Jorgensen
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From Howard Kroplick:

Rick, I believe the property is no longer zoned for a museum..

From Walter McCarthy Collection: The Opening Year of the Long Island Automotive Museum (1948)

absolutely cool stuff

From Mystery Foto #90 Solved (Updated 10/21/14): The 1902 ACA New York to Boston Reliability Run

Nice links Sam and John. Great stuff everyone, had no clue.

From Mystery Foto #49 Solved: Charles Addams and his wife Barbara Jean in Southampton Updated:10/30/16

Yes, that is Domenich Basso, my great-grandfather.  I just stumbled on this page.  Thank you!

From Mystery California Alco Racer Identified

So?  Do we know exactly where this picture was taken?
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From Howard Kroplick

Good question! I don’t.

From A Colorized Photo of the #23 American that Raced in the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Me and norris hopping put most of the cars in museum before opening,also helped put curved dash olds on roof of entrance,had many parades,fashion shows,and driving the old cars.i used the jeep wrecker to bring back a disabled car from the bridgehampton races.me and austie raced the mercer in 1950 race,he loved the speed of that old car we got it up to 87 mph ,at end of race he pulled the brake which only had rear brakes,and put it into a skid,scared the crap outa me. good old times.

                  Gene Martin

From Walter McCarthy Collection: The Opening Year of the Long Island Automotive Museum (1948)

Hi Howard, Hope everything is going well for you and for Roz. Thanks for featuring these mugs on your blog. We can use every bit of exposure for my father’s work as we can get. I’ve linked the tin can artist site to your blog. Hopefully this will create a bit of mutually beneficial synergy.
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Hi Steve:

Happy holidays to you too!

From Holiday Gift of the Week: Old 16 Tin Can Art Coffee Mug

From John Bayer:

Hi Howard,

I think I’ve got the mystery photo answers this week:

  Identify the gentleman in the automobile
A: Cartoonist Charles Addams

  Identify the woman in the automobile. Why does she look familiar?

A: Addams’ 1st wife, Barbara Jean Day - said to resemble Morticia of his cartoons and the TV series,

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/26/books/26masl.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&ref=arts&pagewanted=print&

  Identify the automobile

A: Addams’ 1927 Mercedes S-type (supercharged), that he also drove at Watkins Glen and other early US races, before he painted the rear portion of the body all black,

http://www.velocetoday.com/charles-addams-and-his-cars/

Cheers,
John Bayer

From Mystery Foto #49 Solved: Charles Addams and his wife Barbara Jean in Southampton Updated:10/30/16

From Earl Gandel:

Mystery photo guess; Charles and Tee Addams and a Bugatti?
Earl

From Mystery Foto #49 Solved: Charles Addams and his wife Barbara Jean in Southampton Updated:10/30/16

Thanks Howard for the film on the LI Auto Museum.  My uncle took me many years ago to the museum and I think this triggered my interest in old cars.  I do not remember too much of my visit but your film helped bring back some memories.  Too bad that we do not have a museum of that type here on Long Island any more.
Joe

From Walter McCarthy Collection: The Opening Year of the Long Island Automotive Museum (1948)

Could that be cartoonist Charles Addams?  In a Mercedes?

With his wife, Barbara Jean Day who would become the inspiration for Morticia Addams of TV fame?

From Mystery Foto #49 Solved: Charles Addams and his wife Barbara Jean in Southampton Updated:10/30/16

I STILL recall virtually every second of my two trips to the museum as a child of 9 and then 13 with my family. I still have postcards from the gift counter and two plastic models from the Indy 500…the Gilmore special and the Maserati. There was a hulking pile of rust outside one of the buildings. It was my first glimpse ever of a Bugatti restoration in “progress” as I asked an older man if any of these parts were also for sale. “Nope. I’ll get to this someday but for now lets leave it here as a blessed heap.” I never forget!

From Walter McCarthy Collection: The Opening Year of the Long Island Automotive Museum (1948)

Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca?

From Mystery Foto #49 Solved: Charles Addams and his wife Barbara Jean in Southampton Updated:10/30/16

My grandmother was Jane Denellelly one of the children of John and Katherine Dennelley who married Michael J. Ryan, Boston Marathon winner in 1912 and Olympic track coach and participant in the 1920s through 1940s .  So happy to read about my family history.

From Then & Now: Maple Cottage- The Locomobile Headquarters for the 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races

I remember going to the Museum on a class trip when I was in Elementary School. After that visit I was hooked on old cars and I am still today. I wish I still had the post cards of the different cars from the Museum.

From Walter McCarthy Collection: The Opening Year of the Long Island Automotive Museum (1948)

Too funny!  I was just about to comment on the LI Auto Museum thread that I caught glimpses of this car, in the chopper views of the parade!  It’s macabre cartoonist Charles Addams and one of his three wives, the first two named Barbara, both of whom resembled his cartoon character Morticia Addams.  It’s probably #2, Barbara Jean Day.  They are sitting in his 7.02 litre 1927 Mercedes S-Modell Tourer, which was GIVEN to him by a friend!  At the time of the parade and the 1951 Brideghampton races, it was painted deep green with black fenders/wings and red underside and brake drums, with a polished bare-metal hood/bonnet.  For more on this car, see:

http://sbiii.com/merceds3.html#addams-s

Thanks a million - your photo clearly establishes the presence of those mini-rear-tonneau doors beyond question!

Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #49 Solved: Charles Addams and his wife Barbara Jean in Southampton Updated:10/30/16

That’s famous cartoonist Charles Addams and his wife Barbara. Some say that Morticia from “The Addams Family” was drawn by Addams to look like Barbara. As to the car: no idea so I’ll just guess 1924 Bentley.

From Mystery Foto #49 Solved: Charles Addams and his wife Barbara Jean in Southampton Updated:10/30/16

Many (most?) readers may not be aware that the AmerIcan was known as the “American Underslung” because of its suspension.  The axles were fastened ABOVE the spring leaves (see the photo), giving the Americans a much lower center of gravity and profile, resulting in a racier look (even on stodgy coupés and sedans), slightly-lower wind resistance, and better cornering.  Sam, III

From A Colorized Photo of the #23 American that Raced in the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race