About
The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day, and the first international automobile road races held in the United States. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways. This site provides comprehensive information on the races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and current Long Island automotive events, car shows and news.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
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Recent Comments
It would have to be the Mineola, Carle Place, Garden City border, where the LIMP crossed under Old Country Rd. The marker clearly states it is Nassau County. The marker seems to be dated June 1959. The Parkway was not completed in 1911, but was expanded until at least 1926. As for where it is now? I look forward to finding out.
From Mystery Foto #45 Solved:The Missing Long Island Motor Parkway Historical Marker on Old Country Road
1./ The location would be at the Mineola-Carle Place line.
2./ Removal probably due to highway improvement.
This is the best I could do !!!! Cheers and Best, Ron
From Mystery Foto #45 Solved:The Missing Long Island Motor Parkway Historical Marker on Old Country Road
Ditto Ted. Those cars are impeccable.
From Chrysler's Chrysler Honored at the Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance
Congratulations Howard! Wish I could have been there for that show. Especially since I love Chryslers from the 1930s and 1940s. Hope to see you again soon!
From Chrysler's Chrysler Honored at the Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance
Howard Thanks for the info on that
From Chrysler's Chrysler Featured on the Cover of the December 2015 Issue of Hemmings Motor News
All of them should have won something
From Chrysler's Chrysler Honored at the Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance
This scene, painted by Peter Helck in 1938, shows Robertson during the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup being pursued by Willie Haupt in Chadwick ‘Black Bess’. The 1944 painting by Helck for the magazine Esquire with the title ‘Robertson Comes Through’ clearly is based on this one, although the Chadwick has been replaced by the Isotta of Herb Lytle, and much more background has been added. Best location for the scene seems to be Woodbury Turn.
As indicated on the painting, Helck gave it to Robertson. Maybe it did help in the purchase of the Locomobile racer, which he acquired in 1941? But I doubt if this could have had any influence on his career.
From A Salute to the Mets & Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Gift to George Robertson From Peter Helck
Which race was being depicted in the painting?
1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Identify the race cars, drivers and mechanicians
#16 Locomobile/George Robertson -Winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. Mechanician: Glenn Ethridge
#4 Chadwick/Willie Haupt
Mechanician: E.A. Lindquist
What were possible locations for this scene?
Left onto Jericho Tpke from Woodbury Rd or the hard left off Jericho Tpk onto Westbury Rd in Westbury
Who did Peter Helck give this painting to and why?
Jerry Helck, the son of Peter Helck, has told me that this painting was important for his father’s career. Can you explain why?
Looking forward to hearing the history on this one…
From A Salute to the Mets & Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Gift to George Robertson From Peter Helck
Congrats, indeed! Couldn’t happen to nicer guy. You took a kinda stodgy old mess and transformed it back into a joy to behold, for which we in the pld car field, especially those of us who have seen the car in it’s various stages of glory, decay, and renewal, are beholden to you. [Ditto Bête Noir, of course.] Sam, III
From Chrysler's Chrysler Featured on the Cover of the December 2015 Issue of Hemmings Motor News
Snatched from the edge of neglect to front page ....Well Done !!!!
From Chrysler's Chrysler Featured on the Cover of the December 2015 Issue of Hemmings Motor News
I noticed that you now have side view mirrors,now for the two things on the running board,by chance are they trophies? Can’t make out what it says on them.
_________________________________________________
From Howard Kroplick
Side view mirrors were only off for the Pebble Beach Concours.
Those objects are the two Hemmings Concours trophies; Best in Show and Best in Class.
From Chrysler's Chrysler Featured on the Cover of the December 2015 Issue of Hemmings Motor News
From Edgar Masters:
Hi Howard – I enjoyed seeing the mystery photo; here are some comments, subject to errors:
The race depicted is the Vanderbilt Cup Race held on Long Island in c. 1905/6.
The car is a Locomobile and one of the operators was George Robertson(?)
The location is a famous turn on the course.
Peter Helck became a famous commercial artist doing ads in the Saturday Evening Post and many other magazines and this painting was one of his signature works.
For years Peter Helck had a home in Boston Corners, NY, a hamlet about five miles south of Copake Falls, NY, where I live. Decades ago the Helcks came to visit my parents, driving this car, which Peter owned for years, to our residence. As we live at the top of a long hill, to this day I recall the roar of Old Number 16 rumbling up the hill to park in our driveway. What fun to see it up close! The next day my job was to remove the oil and grease spills from the ground over which the car was parked.
When Peter died, I believe the car was sold to the Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI, and I believe I saw it there when attending one of the CCCA Classics in the area.
Thank you for recalling these memories. Edgar.
From A Salute to the Mets & Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Gift to George Robertson From Peter Helck
From Florence:
Congrats on the cover story of your Chrysler.
From Chrysler's Chrysler Featured on the Cover of the December 2015 Issue of Hemmings Motor News
Thanks
From Two Car Shows on Long Island This Sunday
Great action painting. At first glance this reminded me of the mystery below, the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. So I’m betting on the winning Old 16 Locomobile (Robertson/Ethridge ) heading south on Ellison Ave after taking on the No.4 Chadwick (Haupt/Lindquist) at the Westbury curve from Jericho Tpke (background fits the description), with the spectators obliviously standing in the most dangerous spot on the course. This scene was not the final homestretch because the Chadwick finished 10th , though the painting could’ve been used that way.
This painting may have been important for Peter Helck’s career because the image was distributed throughout the media at the time, becoming popular and iconic for depicting the first American car to win the international Vanderbilt Cup Race.
Also possible that Helck gave the painting to George Robertson for his major achievement.
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/mystery_photo_friday_four_photos_of_the_1908_vanderbilt_cup_race
From A Salute to the Mets & Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Gift to George Robertson From Peter Helck
Congratulations Howard !!
From Chrysler's Chrysler Featured on the Cover of the December 2015 Issue of Hemmings Motor News
I was at Purdue University in 1961 when Ford brought the Mustang I to the Mechanical Engineering building. A 4 cylinder mid engine design was great. It was low and sleek. In fact so low that it scraped the ramp as they brought it in the building. I was never a Ford guy, but I said that i would buy this car. Unfortunately, they came out with the final design and I was not interested at all.
From Exclusive Photos: The Mustang II Prototype Concept Car Making Its Debut at the Watkins Glen in 1963
The #16 is a Packard called Gray Fox and I think it is in the 1904 race. I also think the painting is the Packard Cormorant Silver Anniversary
From A Salute to the Mets & Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Gift to George Robertson From Peter Helck
The piece is very similar to one of his works titled “Robertson Comes Through”, the #16 is obviously the Locomobile of George Robertson and mechanician Glenn Etheridge winning the 1908 race after the Chadwick broke. The other car is the #4 Big-Six Chadwick of Willie Haupt with EA Lindquist as mechanician. The other similar painting also has a sign reading “Choice lots and acreage-inquire at Hotel”.......so the location is possibly behind Krug’s Hotel, but near a hotel of some type. Parking was $5 to see the race from your car.
Since Helck first visited the 1906 Vanderbilt race perhaps this was his first commissioned, or sold piece of the Vanderbilt Cup by him, and perhaps it was given to Robertson for winning the race with an American auto…..which is all a guess.
From A Salute to the Mets & Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Gift to George Robertson From Peter Helck
I think I’m wrong on what I said about the headlights not giving out the right light, but still don’t like the shape of the front of the car, after looking at some other pictures
From Exclusive Photos: The Mustang II Prototype Concept Car Making Its Debut at the Watkins Glen in 1963
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