Vanderbilt Cup Races

Roosevelt Field.  1937 because of the Raceway grandstands and banked track.  Looks like Fleet Model 2s with Kinner K-5 radials, probably belonging to Roosevelt Flying Service, like the one George Dade flew and restored (hanging in the Cradle of Aviation Museum) - whoops - wrong - different rudder and landing gear strut.  Sorry to disagree with the great Janet Guthrie but that’s an EAL DC-2 (NOT -3); seven side windows; early DC-3’s only had six; but the kicker is the jog in the vertical fin and rudder!  I flew in a -2 from LaG to DC in one in 1941.  The car in front is a 1932 (twin bumpers with curved upper bars, straight grille, and external horns) Chrysler 6 (short hood); the other two are ordinary Detroit iron.  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto 2015 #1: Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway in July 1937 (Updated with a Then & Now)

That’s a photo taken at Roosevelt Field looking southeast from either the roof of one of the hangars or an upper window. It is probably from 1936 as the structure in the background is the grandstand for Roosevelt Raceway, built for the 1936 & 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races. The two bi-planes are Curtiss “Fledglings”, also known as Curtiss models 48 or 51. They were used primarily by the US Navy as trainers who called them “N2C’s”. The larger plane is probably a Douglas DC-2 since Eastern Airlines only started using the slightly larger DC-3 in 1935. As for the cars, I think one might be a 1935 Plymouth but they all look like the same black box to me. No other guesses.

From Mystery Foto 2015 #1: Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway in July 1937 (Updated with a Then & Now)

There were at the very least two because of the perforated cross-member under the radiator, as I had noted in a much earlier post.  I find it difficult to determine wheelbase but there were clearly shorter and longer models.  Details such as brackets and wheels and such are easily changed during the life of a car.  Ariejan is spot-on about the D-B Archive; I have found them immensely cooperative and helpful.  Sam, III

From The Unsolved Mystery of William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s 90-HP Mercedes Automobile(s) (1904-1908)

(Coincidentally, I just read an article about the history of Eastern Airlines last week!)

It appears to be Roosevelt Field.

I’m thinking it is either the 1936 or 1937 Vanderbilt Cup race, although the rain is making me consider that it could have been 1938 when there were hurricane relief flight coming into Long Island using Douglas aircraft.

Roosevelt Raceway and grandstands in background.

I pass on the automobiles.  With the ultimate respect for Janet’s answer, I believe that the airplane is actually an Eastern Airlines DC-2 judging by the rudder hinge shape and lack of a color stripe down the side in the paint scheme.  Eastern bought 10 of them in 1934-1935, and sold the lot to Australia in 1941 for military use since the DC-3 had 3-row seating (21 passengers) versus the 14-passenger DC-2.  I wish that the registration tail number was visible!

Since Eddie Rickenbacker was actively involved with re-starting the Vanderbilt Cup Race at Roosevelt Field and also served as head of Eastern Airlines during this time period, it seems plausible that he was using one of their DC-2’s as transportation to the race for himself and/or other VIP’s…..

From Mystery Foto 2015 #1: Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway in July 1937 (Updated with a Then & Now)

I agree with Janet about the DC-3, (in military use it was called it a C-47 I believe) I would date the photo about 1938 as in the distant back ground group of cars there seems to be a Chrysler product sedan from that year. The cars in the foreground are 1931 or 32 Chrysler 6 cyl. coupe, 1935 DeSoto sedan, and a 1935 or 36 Pontiac 6 cyl. sedan. The structure at the distance is the grandstands for the Roosevelt Race way.

From Mystery Foto 2015 #1: Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway in July 1937 (Updated with a Then & Now)

The Old Court house Bridge should be a definite landmark, as well as that stretch of the parkway .  Artie.

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Polls (New Poll: April 13, 2026)

I am glad to see that Old Westbury Gardens is the winner, as Chief Judge last year I can tell you It’s a lot of work and I am glad to see it appreciated by fellow car owners.We had over 500 cars hope to see the Chrysler there next year.  Artie.

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Polls (New Poll: April 13, 2026)

Hi Howard—

I can only do one, but that is an Eastern Air Lines DC-3. I would say approximately 1939; I think Eastern ordered its first DC-3s in 1938. My father flew them from the time he joined Eastern Air Lines in 1941.

I thought the airplanes might be the ubiquitous Jennys, the WWI JN-4 trainers, but apparently not.

Last time I rode in a DC-3 was in Haiti, in about 1970, from Cap Haitien to Port-au-Prince. Beat the heck out of a tap-tap passenger truck that I’d taken on the way north.

Best,
Janet Guthrie

From Mystery Foto 2015 #1: Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway in July 1937 (Updated with a Then & Now)

Location: Roosevelt Field
Date: July 1937.  It appears to be a crowd for a special event, like the Vanderbilt Cup Race
Background: The Roosevelt Raceway grandstand
Autos left to right: ‘36 Pontiac, ‘36 Chevy, ‘32 Dodge
Airplanes: (2) Stearman army biplanes
The large aircraft appears to be an Eastern Airlines DC-3

From Mystery Foto 2015 #1: Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway in July 1937 (Updated with a Then & Now)

Location Roosevelt field airport
About 1931
Roosevelt raceway
Large plane DC-3
Biplanes Curtis
Autos Franklin dodge chrysler

From Mystery Foto 2015 #1: Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway in July 1937 (Updated with a Then & Now)

It’s the George Vanderbilt Cup Race at Roosevelt Raceway (looking SE) from the eastern edge of Roosevelt Field.  I would guess the July 5, 1937 race, as the race originally scheduled for July 3rd had to be postponed 2 days due to rain (note the wet pavement & puddles in the foreground).  In the background is the Grandstand.  The large aircraft is a Douglas DC-3 marked “The Great Silver Fleet”.  Operated by Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker’s Eastern Air Lines.  Note the EAL’s falcon logo on the nose of the a/c.  Eastern operated with 76 DC-3’s from 1936-53.  The 2-seater, open cockpit biplanes might be 2 of the 5 Roosevelt Aviation School’s Fleet Model 2 a/c used in flight instruction.

From Mystery Foto 2015 #1: Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway in July 1937 (Updated with a Then & Now)

My guess is Roosevelt Field,1938-9. The Raceway grandstand in the background, A DC2 and a pair of Jennys. The cars? Maybe a early 30s Ford(A) and two Plymouth sedans(cabs).

From Mystery Foto 2015 #1: Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway in July 1937 (Updated with a Then & Now)

In my humble opinion there have been three Mercedes racers (based on small differences in spring horns, chain wheels, gear and break levers a.o.):
1. The 1904 Ormond Beach car, which was sold;
2. The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup car, which was used during Eagle Rock Hill Climb, modified for Ormond Beach 1905 and used during the Vanderbilt Cup of 1906 as support car (still having the lowered seats);
3. The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup car, which seems to have been the same car as the 1908 Vanderbilt car (cf. the holes in the radiator support).
However I must admit I’m not too certain, because of the changing wheel colours of the second (1904-1905) Mercedes.
Therefore I would also suggest (if not done yet of course) to contact the Daimler-Benz archive, which must have rather detailed sales books of the period.

From The Unsolved Mystery of William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s 90-HP Mercedes Automobile(s) (1904-1908)

Amazing photos again, not much of a change was there?

From From the Luttgen Album: Driver Foxhall Keene Taking the Turn at Colyers Corner in Plainview

Hi Howard, in cruising up toward Roslyn today I noticed the 25 MPH speed zone just south of Main Street, is there actual photo enforcement on those ? Mike
______________________________________________________
From Howard Kroplick

The Nassau County Legislature has repealed the Speed camera law. However, the law will be enforced until County Executive Ed Mangano signs the repeal.

From Then & Now: Racing on Roslyn Roads

I’m revising my guess on the date to July 3rd 1937 due to the rain delay. It is clearly raining in the mystery photo and the 1937 VCR was postponed 2 days due to rain.

From Mystery Foto 2015 #1: Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway in July 1937 (Updated with a Then & Now)

Really has amazing photos. it is very nice of him to share them with us to enjoy them. Still working on this week’s mystery photo. Off to a bad start for this one. I.might just have to give you my guess work.

From From the Luttgen Album: Driver Foxhall Keene Taking the Turn at Colyers Corner in Plainview

-Identify the location and approximate date of the photo.

Looking across Roosevelt Field at Roosevelt Raceway, Westbury- July 5, 1937.

-What is the large structure in the background?

The 1936/1937 Vanderbilt Cup/Roosevelt Raceway Grandstands

-Identify the three automobiles and three airplanes in the foreground.

I’m unclear on the cars and the biplanes, but Interesting to note; Former WW-I hero, Eddie Rickenbacker- (Ace of Aces and Vanderbilt Cup Participant/mechanician-1906 American Elimination Trial, 1915 & 1916),  created the “new” Eastern Air Lines in the early 30’s. All Eastern’s panes had “The Great Silver Fleet.” on their sides. Douglas DC-3’s were delivered to The Great Silver Fleet in May of 1937. Identifying the larger passenger plane on the left.- Maybe this was a ‘corporate flight’ awaiting its’ CEO who would have been watching the races?

From Mystery Foto 2015 #1: Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway in July 1937 (Updated with a Then & Now)

Mitchel Field in the mid 1930’s. In the background, it is probably Roosevelt Raceway.

From Mystery Foto 2015 #1: Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway in July 1937 (Updated with a Then & Now)

What are you doing? If it was never published, how’d you get it? knowing you, you can get anything. All I can say right now is, by looking at the cars it’s the late 30s early 40s. I had a 47 Plymouth and my uncle had a 44 or45 and these cars are older than that. Can’t even make out the state on the license plate. The large structure is some kind of stadium. It’s just a lot of guessing right now

From Mystery Foto 2015 #1: Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway in July 1937 (Updated with a Then & Now)