Vanderbilt Cup Races

Identify the automobile
-1963 Mustang II prototype displayed in front of Ford’s styling studio

Which company built this automobile after receiving the chassis?
-Dearborn Steel Tubing (DST)

When and where was it introduced?
October 6, 1963, Ford/Lee Iacocca unveiled the Mustang II at Watkins Glen Raceway in Watkins Glen, New York. After Watkins Glen, the Mustang II was placed on the auto show circuit until early 1964.

At its introduction, what was the explanation why this automobile was built?
-From the Henry Ford blog;
‘The Mustang II previewed the production Ford Mustang we all know and love, but the concept car was designed and built after the production Mustang project already was well underway! Why? It’s a case of managing public expectations.

Most Mustang histories start with the 1962 Mustang I, but devoted pony fans know that Mustang I was an entirely separate project from the production car. Ford built the “Mustang Experimental Sports Car” (its original name – the “I” was a retrospective addition) to spark interest in the company’s activities. Ford was going back into racing and looking for a quick way to create some buzz about the exciting things happening in Dearborn. The plan worked a bit too well. When Mustang I debuted at Watkins Glen in October 1962, and then hit the car show circuit, the public went crazy and sent countless letters to Ford begging the company to put the little two-seater into production.

At the same time Mustang I was being built, another team at Ford was working on the production Mustang that would debut in April 1964. Mustang I’s popularity created a problem: Everyone loved the two-seat race car, but would they feel the same about the four-seat version? The solution was to build a new four-seat prototype closely based on the production Mustang’s design.’

What were the unique features of this automobile?
-From the Henry Ford blog;
‘Ford designers removed the front and rear bumpers, altered the headlights and grille treatment, and fitted Mustang II with a removable roof. While the car looked different from the production Mustang, a few of the production car’s trademark styling cues were retained, including the C-shaped side sculpting and the tri-bar taillights. Mustang II also consciously borrowed from Mustang I, employing the 1962 car’s distinct white paint and blue racing stripes. Conceptually and physically, the four-seat Mustang II formed a bridge linking the 1962 Mustang I with the 1965 production car. Mustang II was a hit when it debuted at Watkins Glen in October 1963, and when the production version premiered six months later, there were few complaints about the four seats instead of two.’

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The 1962 Mustang II Prototype Built By Dearborn Steel Tubing

I think this is the 1964 1/2 Mustang III DST built by Dearborn Steel Company, when they received it from Ford Motor company they shortened the chassis wheelbase installed a high performance Engine & Special transmission in it and gave it a fiberglass body. It was a special Show Car or Prototype that was used for showing by Ford at the Caravan Custom car Shows. I think it might of been the car that was introduced at the 1964 Words Fair in Flushing Meadows Queens, NY

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The 1962 Mustang II Prototype Built By Dearborn Steel Tubing

Identify the automobile:
• 1963 Mustang II Prototype
Which company built this automobile after receiving the chassis?
• Dearborn Steel Tubing (DST)
When and where was it introduced?
• October 6, 1963, at Watkins Glen Raceway in Watkins Glen, New York.
At its introduction, what was the explanation why this automobile was built? 

• Lee Iacocca wanted a new sports car with a novel layout to compete with the Corvair Monza, leading to the mid-engined Mustang I concept car; but Ford wanted a car with a conventional layout and a back seat that would be inexpensive to produce.  The Mustang II prototype was developed to introduce the new concept to the public prior to the introduction of the production Mustang, as the “poor man’s Thunderbird.
What were the unique features of this automobile?
• Electric trunk release
• Emergency brake concealed underneath the car
• Rubber was placed between each leaf spring to keep them from squeaking at the auto shows
• The gas pedal is hinged at the base like the Falcon instead of free hanging as found in Mustangs.

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The 1962 Mustang II Prototype Built By Dearborn Steel Tubing

Also Michael, I used Howard’s last photo of the expandable Mystery shot, then further zoomed in using simple Windows Photo Gallery software on the pc, and was amazed to see activity at Flushing Meadow’s Meadow Lake during the ‘39 World’s Fair at the top edge of the photo. These Fairchild aerials are by far the sharpest of the day. Thanks as always Howard for sharing these gems. Cheers to all.

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939

Hi Michael,
St. Marys Cemetery is correct in that quadrant, just off to the left of Booth Memorial Ave. I’m sending some late pics to clarify. Hope it helps. Cheers

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939

Still hard to tell because the picture faces west and the Historic Aerials site only allows north top south bottm orientation,  but can anybody tell me if at the top right quadrant of this picture…. would that be St. Mary’s Cemetery ?

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939

Thanks Art, I used that site before, it keeps one busy for sure !!! Gonna check that one now. Mike

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939

I’m not a car enthusiast, but I’m loving this blog. You are making history come alive. Nice job!

From Be Part of History When Chrysler's Chrysler Returns to Its Kings Point Home on Sunday, May 17, 2015

http://www.historicaerials.com/

Micheal - this website allows you to search for a location (i.e., 73rd Avenue, Queens, NY) and select two years you want to overlay.  Using the slide or dissolve function you can overlay the two at the same time.  For this part of Queens I was able to overlay 1954 and 2013.  Have fun!

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939

I’m curious as to what occupies the location now?
_____________________________________________

From Howard Kroplick:

The new Garden City Hotel built in 1983.

http://www.gardencityhotel.com/our-hotel/history

From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: The Garden City Hotel Being Demolished in 1973

I would love to see a map overlay showing the Grand Central Parkway and LIE in relation to the old photo. So much has changed its still hard to imagine the picture and how it sits in todays landscape, and I was just in Fresh Meadows on Saturday !!

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939

I dont know Queens that much but it looks like Fresh Meadows Western Terminus, Hollis Terrace and Cunningham Park with the North Hempstead Turnpike Bridge. My Guess as of the year is between 1926 and 1930 before the Grand Central Parkway was built. Some roads are Union Turnpike, Springfiled Blvd and Horace Harding Blvd/Nassau Blvd but it is very hard to get my bearings as to which direction the picture faces. Good Puzzle !! Mike

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939

Nice aerial, most likely another Fairchild. At center of roadway spaghetti is the LIMP western terminal, Fresh Meadow, NY, looking west, July 1939, closed for autos 1 year, opened for pedestrians/speedy bicycles. I see the toll entrance kiosk at center of LIMP roadway just south of Horace Harding Blvd (L.I.Expwy), also visible is the LIMP North Hempstead Tpke parkway bridge, the 73rd Ave (Black Stump Rd) parkway bridge, Hollis Court Blvd (intact), Union Tpke section on upper left edge, Central RR (abandoned) adjacent to the kiosk. There’s Fresh Meadow golf (1932 U.S. Open) at N Hemp Tpke and 186th St, Tee-Off golf just south of Horace Harding Blvd and Hollis Court Blvd, Kissena Park golf at Booth Memorial Ave (N Hemp Tpke) and Fresh Meadow Ln, Flushing Meadow Corona Park (Valley of Ashes) boating at Meadow lake, and Holy Cow basketball yet to be.

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939

Identify the location: Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway, Fresh Meadows

Identify the Motor Parkway structures: 73rd Street Bridge, North Hempstead Turnpike Bridge

Identify the other major roads: Francis Lewis Blvd., Nassau Blvd. - North Hempstead Turnpike, Horace Harding Blvd., Hollis Court Blvd., Northern Blvd.

Identify the sports-related areas: Fresh Meadows Golf Club, Fresh Meadows Driving Range, Kissena Golf Club, Cunningham Park

What was the date of the aerial? 1938

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939

This photo appears to be looking west with the photographer flying over the northern section of Cunningham Park. The LIMP runs left to right (south to north) with its western terminus at Horace Harding Blvd., the main road running from bottom to top through the center. LIMP structures include bridges over 73rd. Avenue and North Hempstead Tpke. The toll lodge (booth) at Horace Harding Blvd. could still be there although it’s tough to tell. Other main roads in the area include Union Tpke., Hollis Court Blvd., 164th. Street, and the northern section of Francis Lewis Blvd. (under construction) although it was probably still known as Cross Island Blvd. at the time. Besides Cunningham Park, other sports areas include the first Fresh Meadows Golf Course (opened in 1923) and the Fresh Meadows Golf Driving Range. Because of similarities between this photo and mystery photo #2 from earlier this year, I think they were both taken around the same date of June 24, 1938.

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939

Fresh Meadows….1939
Looking west…Nassau Boulevard on right
North Hempstead Turnpike on left
Motor Parkway and bridge running diagonally across middle

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939

Thanks Howard.

From Newsday: Taking A Ride Through Time: Drivers Retrace LI Motor Parkway

What happened, no pictures, just the newspaper clipping?
______________________________________

From Howard Kroplick

Ted, photos will be posted next week.

From Newsday: Taking A Ride Through Time: Drivers Retrace LI Motor Parkway

Identify the location
-LIMP Western Terminus in Fresh Meadows

Identify the Motor Parkway structures
-The North Hempstead Turnpike Bridge, & the 73rd Avenue (Black Stump Road) bridge both built in 1926.

Identify the other major roads
Black Stump Road,  North Hempstead Turnpike, Queens Road (Later Hollis Court Boulevard)

Identify the sports-related areas
Fresh Meadows Golf Driving Range,  Fresh Meadows Golf Course

What was the date of the aerial?
July 23,1939

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows on July 23, 1939

I drove my 1931 Model-A-Ford in the parade with the group for the entire lenght.
Passing through many towns along the way I observed many folks outside waving flags and enjoying our visit pass them.
The sun warmed our hearts, and the people filled our dreams.
It was a wonderful day, Indeed, a wonderful day.

From Newsday: Taking A Ride Through Time: Drivers Retrace LI Motor Parkway