Vanderbilt Cup Races

The story was passed down for generations. Like myself with my grandfather, his granddaughter Laurie Ashodian heard the stories and shared the memories. Mr. Aquilina was meticulous and kept track of all things Tucker.

From An Amazing Discovery: Brand new "still in the box" 73-year old Tucker luggage

The story was passed down for generations. Like myself with my grandfather, his granddaughter Laurie Ashodian heard the stories and shared the memories. Mr. Aquilina was a very meticulous man and kept track of all things Tucker.

From An Amazing Discovery: Brand new "still in the box" 73-year old Tucker luggage

To Bob: could be, but I recall it as being nice smooth black asphalt-but as they say, with age, my short term memory is declining, while my long term memory is getting so good, I’m remembering things that may not have even happened…

Now Glen Cove Rd- that was beige concrete with black tar strips bordering every approx 50 ft section- 4 lanes, 2 in each direction, and quite adequate for cars as wide as a Model A Ford

From The Planning and Construction of the Long Island Expressway Through the Roslyn Area: 1953 – 1959

Very interesting article.  My one question is the mention in the article and by Fred Eisenstein of the roadway being asphalt.  I thought the original road was concrete, with an odd little inclined curb that rose up to a cobblestone shoulder (I recall reading-probably in Newsday-that the curb could not be negotiated with a flat tire).  I believe a good deal of the old concrete still exists under layers of asphalt-you can see it when the asphalt pot holes out.  I’ll bet the original concrete lasted a lot longer than the ensuing resurfacings that were done.

From The Planning and Construction of the Long Island Expressway Through the Roslyn Area: 1953 – 1959

That’s Freeport stadium

From Mystery Friday Foto #27 Solved: Freeport Racetrack/Stadium

Thanks for that in depth history-fascinating… and elicited a flood of memories. I grew up in the new development built just east of that LIE segment. My back yard abutted the north side of Old Westbury Rd/Powerhouse Rd (now the North Svc Road). My playmate lived on the farm across the road-they grew corn, raised chickens and ducks. We roved through farm fields and derelict estates in the area. The farm became a victim of eminent domain for the next leg of construction (their farmhouse was moved approx. 2/10th mile south/west and still stands on Glen Cove Rd a bit north of Bacon), but the farming family (the Friess’ I believe, but don’t hold me to the spelling) moved on . I do remember another much larger old colonial house- a near-mansion,  located on Powerhouse Rd in East Hills about 2/10th mile east of Glen Cove Rd. This was on the segment you describe. I remember when it was moved on a tractor trailer rig in 2 sections up Glen Cove Road to a location about 1/4 mile north of Harbor Hill/Red Ground Rd-where it still stands.
In the weeks before the next segment (east of Glen Cove Rd) opened, we would sneak our bikes onto the new asphalt of the LIE and ride down past Red Ground to Wheatley Rd. I recall that the surface was great for locking the coaster brakes and fishtailing. Then, unexpectedly, came opening day ribbon cutting… we were there cruising around as usual on our bikes… little squirts getting in the way and worming through the crowd to fetch free drinks and shake hands with then Gov. Nelson Rockefeller and some other unknown notables, but mostly realizing that this was to be the loss of our private stretch of biking heaven.

From The Planning and Construction of the Long Island Expressway Through the Roslyn Area: 1953 – 1959

1933 to 1983 Freeport Staduim was the coolest car thing going on Long Island midsgets stocks and motorcycles raced there. In the police boys club we would go there on Tuesday nights and sit just past turn two near those houses. Some locals would sit on the shed and garage roofs to watch.
Unfortunately it was torn down and a BJs chines goods sore was put up

From Mystery Friday Foto #27 Solved: Freeport Racetrack/Stadium

That’s the Freeport Stadium or Freeport Raceway which was located on Mill Road in Freeport, NY. It opened in 1933 as a 1/5 mile dirt-cinder motorcycle track but shortly added a rifle range, baseball, boxing, and football to its activities. Midget car racing and stock car racing also took place there. It closed in 1983 and a BJ’s Wholesale Club now occupies the site.

From Mystery Friday Foto #27 Solved: Freeport Racetrack/Stadium

Bruce Derrick - below is a snippet of North Millpage Drive’s proximity to the Motor Pkwy. Here is the map link ->  https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/femenias_findings_a_new_interactive_online_map_of_the_long_island_motor_par

From Femenias Findings: A New Interactive Online Map of the Long Island Motor Parkway

Thanks Gram for bringing Peter’s advertising work to the blog.  Having gone through all of his material at the Garage, there was an ample amount to highlight - I just never got to it myself; I especially marvel at the meticulous detail Peter gave whatever he worked on, whether paintings, advertisements or anything else he took up.  And all of the background material (photos, other ads, etc.) he had his researchers find and catalog for his future use.  So glad you’re publishing the material which is a gold mine of one man’s expertise and passion!

From InstaGRAM Report: Peter Helck: Advertising and Art Part 2 — Chevrolet Trucks

Mystery Foto #*27…This pic shows Freeport Municipal Stadium in Freeport of course. Mainly known for Midget and Stock Car racing it also hosted at one time or another motorcycle racing,boxing,rifle range, football and baseball. Date of construction 1932,1933. Closed in 1983. There are stores there now. Possibly a CVS.

From Mystery Friday Foto #27 Solved: Freeport Racetrack/Stadium

Interesting history of Chevrolet advertisements during the ‘50’s. I was unaware Peter Helck was behind some of those ads. Helck’s famous renderings during live action, and later from still photos, are proof of his amazing work.

From InstaGRAM Report: Peter Helck: Advertising and Art Part 2 — Chevrolet Trucks

Loved reading this article and seeing the photos and artwork. Quite a lesson into how much work went into putting together a successful advertising campaign.

From InstaGRAM Report: Peter Helck: Advertising and Art Part 2 — Chevrolet Trucks

The depth of research here is stunning and the clarity of a storyline makes me equally proud of you my dear son Gram.

From InstaGRAM Report: Peter Helck: Advertising and Art Part 2 — Chevrolet Trucks

Twin Oldsmobiles - driven by Harry M. Stillman and Joe Nelson
1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race (Stillman #20, Nelson #5)
Photo taken in front of Hotel Downey, Lansing MI
Stillman came in 11th place when the race was stopped, Nelson did not race due to a faulty starter.

From Mystery Friday Foto #26 Solved; A Pair of Oldsmobile Vanderbilt Racers in 1910

David, you are correct! Enjoy, Howard

From Mystery Foto #25: The Botto Farmway Bridge in Old Bethpage documented at the 150 Motor Parkway Building.

This photo shows the twin Oldsmobile racers that were entered in the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race. The #20 car was driven by Harry Stillman and finished at #11 in the race. The #5 car was to be driven by Joe Nelson but did not start due to a defective starter motor. The photo was taken in front of the Downey House Hotel in Lansing, Michigan.

From Mystery Friday Foto #26 Solved; A Pair of Oldsmobile Vanderbilt Racers in 1910

We have lived in the area for a few months now, still so much to see! We’re getting our carpets cleaned this weekend, so we will be looking to get out of the house while the carpets dry. Thanks for this amazing list of things to do!

From The Melton Museum of Norwalk, Connecticut (1948-1953)

Gina Wouters will be attending the June 30 event.

From Save the Date-Rain or Shine: Waterfront at Roslyn Garage Pizza Party hosted by the Roslyn Landmark Society this Sunday, June 30, 2024

I still say the 3rd picture down from the top is the Bloomingdale rd bridge.  It shows the number 8 Alco Black Beast just passing through it in 1909.  A reference for this picture was in a past VCR post here from Nov. 30th 2013.

From Mystery Foto #25: The Botto Farmway Bridge in Old Bethpage documented at the 150 Motor Parkway Building.