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
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Recent Comments
This is such fun, reliving my similar excursions back some 55 years ago, after a Bob Miller lecture got me started on the LIMP. [The Roslyn Lodge is NOT a remnant, though; it is an expanded second floor overwhelming the original first floor (we sure lost THAT fight).] Thanks again, Dave. You GO, Sam! Sam, III
From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure” IV: Albertson to East Williston
Oh, sibling! No clue! Why do I have a feeling this is gonna be about as far-fetched as anything ever previously posted, however parochial? Judas priest, I’ll have nun of that! Sam, III
From Mystery Foto #36 Solved: The Opening Day of Mineola's Corpus Christi School, Formerly Grave's Garage
Howard,
Looking at the photo of Harry Grant driving the Black Beast in the 1909 Vanderbilt Race, it looks, surprisingly, like you driving the Port Jefferson Hill Climb.
Rog
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From Howard Kroplick
Scary!!!!
From NewEnglandHistoricalSociety.com: Profile of Driver Harry Grant
Hi Dave and Sam. Looks to be fun and thorough at the same time.
From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure” IV: Albertson to East Williston
Remembered this one from a similar mystery photo from a couple of years ago.
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/mystery_foto_friday_20_can_you_identify_thsi_vanderbilt_cup_race_car
-Identify the building and its location
Grave’s Garage/Corpus Christi School located on Searing Avenue in Mineola.
-Who are the children in front of the building?
Students of the Corpus Christi School with the Sisters of St. Dominic.
-What is the approximate year of the photo? Provide a rationale.
Since the Grave’s Garage building was eventually replaced, I’ll throw out a guess here and say the founding year of the school in 1922. I can say with certainty that it’s 8:57am.
-How was this building related to the Vanderbilt Cup Races?
The garage of Robert Graves in Mineola. Robert Graves was the owner of the #1 Mercedes that raced in the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race and the two #3 Mercedes that raced in the 1906 and 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Races.
From Mystery Foto #36 Solved: The Opening Day of Mineola's Corpus Christi School, Formerly Grave's Garage
Robert Graves’ Garage in Mineola where Corpus Christi School is now, by the LIRR Oyster Bay Branch and between Searing/Clinton st. The kids are in uniform so it probably could be the Corpus Christi Catholic School, I dont know the year the picture was taken, probably before the Sept 1906 Collapse of the building…...good thing it didn’t fall on them kids !!!
From Mystery Foto #36 Solved: The Opening Day of Mineola's Corpus Christi School, Formerly Grave's Garage
Hi Howard, in all of these races, despite the number changes, is that car the Black Beast ______________________________________________________________
From Howard Kroplick
Yes, they are!
From NewEnglandHistoricalSociety.com: Profile of Driver Harry Grant
I don’t miss a thing ,do I?,that’s why I had to watch it over again,something didn’t look or sound right,so I zoomed in and listened and knew you must have shifted,just by the sound of the engine,otherwise it would have stalled out,that was a thrill in itself,wasn’t it?
From Highlights from the 2015 Port Jefferson Hill Climb (Updated 8/28/15)
Hey! My car in the post suffered structural damage during delivery. That’s what 92.3mph can do. Be careful everyone and stay well.
From Mystery Foto/Illustration Solved #35: Wille K in his 1903 Mercedes Seeking "Other Worlds to Conquer"
Our antique auto hill climb committee was thrilled with the participation of so many wonderful vintage autos. we thank you all for being a part of our historic re-creation of this historic event. see you in 5 years. thanks. rich carlsen and nomi solo
From Highlights from the 2015 Port Jefferson Hill Climb (Updated 8/28/15)
Looking at the videos over and over to capture everything,not to miss a thing of what was happening,I noticed The Beast was struggling a little and I think you changed gears and it was fine,this was at the top of the hill,am I right about that? And also to see the expression on your face while driving,the joy you were having,waa whoo,I’m going to make it to the top
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From Howard Kroplick
Ted, good catch, I shifted from second to first near the top of the hill. Great fun!
From Highlights from the 2015 Port Jefferson Hill Climb (Updated 8/28/15)
William K Vanderbilt Jr. in the 90 HP Mercedes at Ormond-Daytona races 1904.
From Mystery Foto/Illustration Solved #35: Wille K in his 1903 Mercedes Seeking "Other Worlds to Conquer"
I presume this Friday mystery wasn’t coincidental, as the cartoon is directly related to the Saturday’s post: William Vanderbilt, after his world speed record, flying through the stars, seeking “other worlds to conquer”. The cartoon appeared in the magazine MoToR.
From Mystery Foto/Illustration Solved #35: Wille K in his 1903 Mercedes Seeking "Other Worlds to Conquer"
Howard,
I’m thrilled that you were finally able to make the climb of the East Broadway hill in Port Jefferson. We all had a great time making the climb and I could tell by the smile on your face that you thoroughly enjoyed it.
All’s well that ends well.
Roger
From Highlights from the 2015 Port Jefferson Hill Climb (Updated 8/28/15)
You are very kind to share the Black Beast and the history of racing with so many people. You are also a brave son-of-a-gun to drive that thing up the hill at the PJ Hill Climb.
You, your crew and the Black Beast added to everyone’s enjoyment.
Thanks.
Joe Indusi, President Peconic Bay Region, Antique Automobile Club of America
From Smiles & Thumbs Ups from the Port Jefferson Hill Climb & This Sunday's Four Car Shows
Omg,were you having a blast or what?,out there all by yourself and moving at a pretty good,I would say. Thanks for the pics and video,great shots
From Highlights from the 2015 Port Jefferson Hill Climb (Updated 8/28/15)
Could be Willie K (though doesn’t resemble him), gloriously sailing the heavens after setting the auto speed record at 92.3mph with his 90hp Mercedes at Ormond-Daytona Beach (birthplace of speed) on Jan 1904. This event helped set the stage for Vanderbilt Cup Races on Long Island
http://www.ormondbeach.org/documentcenter/home/view/204
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From Mystery Foto/Illustration Solved #35: Wille K in his 1903 Mercedes Seeking "Other Worlds to Conquer"
What a nice opportunity to “Climb the Hill” aboard the Black Beast ! Thanks.
From Highlights from the 2015 Port Jefferson Hill Climb (Updated 8/28/15)
Is that Tim George’s replica Baker Torpedo electric racer? The 999 car.
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From Howard Kroplick
The program listed the owner of the 1903 Baker was Robert Laravie
From Highlights from the 2015 Port Jefferson Hill Climb (Updated 8/28/15)
After what event was this cartoon published?
Adding to my previous answer: The actual event was Vanderbilt breaking the speed record of traveling one mile in 39 seconds on Jan. 27, 1904.
From Mystery Foto/Illustration Solved #35: Wille K in his 1903 Mercedes Seeking "Other Worlds to Conquer"
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