Vanderbilt Cup Races

Thanks for the pix.  I’m sorry I couldn’t make it that day due to a conflict.
I’ve been to Marty’s place numerous times and he’s always a terrific host.

Rog

From Images From the Himes Museum of Motor Racing Nostalgia in Bay Shore

The chassis for this car was built by A.L.F.A. in Italy. It was the 40-60 hp model of 6 liters capacity built from 1913 to 1922. The engine produced 70 hp @ 2,200 rpm. An open roadster bodied car achieved 75 mph. This body was designed and built by Castagna in Italy in 1914 for Count Marco Ricotti of Milan. The car was called the Siluro Ricotti. It was one of the first aerodynamically designed automobile bodies for a road car and achieved a speed of 86 mph. It was altered in 1915 to an open body retaining the windshield, lower body, fenders and tail section. An Alfa Romeo 12C-36 won the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup driven by Tazio Nuvolari. A replica of the Siluro Ricotti was built in the 70’s and is now in the Alfa Romeo museum.

From Mystery Foto #66 Solved: 1914 A.L.F.A. 40/60 HP Aerodinamica Prototype

Hope the following link works. Try copy/paste if this doesn’t come through as a link. If all else fails go to the Lime Rock Facebook page and look for March 28 entry. It’s to the list for the starting grid of the 1989 Formula Libre Recreation Event at Lime Rock, listing Marty Himes driving #25. It was a fun event to watch. My father-in-law attended the original 1959 event and said it was one of the greatest races ever. Howard, thanks for starting every Sunday with something interesting.
https://www.facebook.com/limerockpark#!/photo.php?fbid=10152166587959003&set=a.84709764002.81001.44115954002&type=1&theater;

From Images From the Himes Museum of Motor Racing Nostalgia in Bay Shore

Frank- Yes, you’re right about the Queens bikeway

From Newsday "LIRR bridge replacement proposed in Westbury"

Another fun one to research and learn.

-Identify the manufacturer of the automobile

A.L.F.A.
(Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili, English: Lombard Automobile Factory, Public Company) In 1920, the name of the company was changed to Alfa Romeo

-Identify the car and its year

1914 A.L.F.A. 40/60 Hp Aerodinamica Prototype

-What is significant about the car’s design?

It’s aerodynamic shape helped gave it faster top speed. It’s ‘body’ amounted to the equivalent of a metal ‘ballon’ over a standard ALFA 40/60.
There’s some great exterior/interior pictures of the replica on a very interesting website here;
http://www.coachbuild.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=50&g2_itemId=1728

-How was the manufacturer linked to the Vanderbilt Cup Races?

The 1936 the Vanderbilt Cup Race was won by Tazio Nuvolari in the #8 Alfa Romeo

From Mystery Foto #66 Solved: 1914 A.L.F.A. 40/60 HP Aerodinamica Prototype

1914 Alpha 40/60 “Aerodinamica” designed by Merosi go Aphasia Romeo, who designed
later vehicles which competed in Vanderbilt Cup races.

From Mystery Foto #66 Solved: 1914 A.L.F.A. 40/60 HP Aerodinamica Prototype

Though it was possible to early photoshop the airborne racers, it was also quite possible to send any vehicle airborne on all fours travelling 40mph+ over Vanderbilt’s steep inclines. The motor parkway introduced advanced roadways for safer travel but those ideas were in their infancy that still had rough edges to be sorted out, especially at the bridges. The original rough grade transitions can still be seen today throughout the Queens bikeway in Alley Park.

From Newsday "LIRR bridge replacement proposed in Westbury"

I checked out Lane Motor Museum, thought maybe I would get lucky, no such luck

From Mystery Foto #66 Solved: 1914 A.L.F.A. 40/60 HP Aerodinamica Prototype

That strange looking car is a 1914 A.L.F.A. 40/60 HP Castagna Siluro Ricotti. I believe it was the first car with an all aluminum, fully enclosed body. Another unique feature was that it had 3 doors, 2 on the left and one on right side. This was the early years of the Alfa-Romeo company that was formed by a group of Italian investors who had picked up the pieces of a susidiary of Darracq, a manufacturer which, only a few years earlier, was the winner of both the 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races.

From Mystery Foto #66 Solved: 1914 A.L.F.A. 40/60 HP Aerodinamica Prototype

Greg- Thanks for that reply, never expected you, a welcomed surpriise

From Newsday "LIRR bridge replacement proposed in Westbury"

Ted- I have to agree with you and have always thought the same thing. The suspension on most brass-era cars always looks extremely delicate, not to mention the fact that most cars had wooden wheels. When you see some of the old films of model T’s going through horrible conditions, deeply rutted mud roads, or even non-existant roads, it’s a wonder the cars don’t just fall apart. In fact, it’s the opposite, they are extremely robust.

From Newsday "LIRR bridge replacement proposed in Westbury"

It’s amazing how pretty well built these cars were, getting all 4 wheels off the ground and landing safely with no accidents and the car holding up so well

From Newsday "LIRR bridge replacement proposed in Westbury"

As I’ve been saying, even though it’s the same presentation, there’s something different every time and you get to meet people that throw in something else about the presentation, that you didn’t even know about, which even amazes you, which goes to show there’s so much that you don’t know about L.I.

From Upcoming Howard Kroplick & Chrysler's Chrysler Events

Michael and Ken: I believe you’re right on with the car!
Mike: Not only a shame but the intended time frame for completion was so delayed for the major event (The 1964 World’s Fair!). I believe at this stage of his reign, Robert Moses had already lost most of his pull and influence to effectively get the job done.  Looking around, today we still live amongst his ruins, and still love it. He was truly a great leader but didn’t go without blemishes.

From Mystery Foto #65 Solved:The "Robert Moses" Eastern Motor Parkway Bridge Over Northern State Parkway

Thanks for these response. See ya, sooner than you think

From Upcoming Howard Kroplick & Chrysler's Chrysler Events

I did a little better on this one. I knew something about the bridge, it was built by Robert Moses and the make of car. The model and year wasn’t determined yet, or was it?

From Mystery Foto #65 Solved:The "Robert Moses" Eastern Motor Parkway Bridge Over Northern State Parkway

Howard - is the well on the north or south side of the NSP?
_______________________________________________

From Howard Kroplick:
South side.

From Mystery Foto #65 Solved:The "Robert Moses" Eastern Motor Parkway Bridge Over Northern State Parkway

I got this late too but I knew the car was a 1965 Pontiac. I wasn’t sure about the bridge. It’s a shame that for all of the cost and labor to build it the bridge was in service for only seven or eight years.

From Mystery Foto #65 Solved:The "Robert Moses" Eastern Motor Parkway Bridge Over Northern State Parkway

Sorry I didn’t see this sooner.  I believe the car is not a 1965 GTO, but a close relative: a 1965 Pontiac Tempest.  The GTO was based on the Tempest but had a hood scoop and the letters GTO on the front.  The car pictured has neither which tells me that it’s a Tempest.

From Mystery Foto #65 Solved:The "Robert Moses" Eastern Motor Parkway Bridge Over Northern State Parkway

Today I learned that there were 2 bridges over NSP, and from the looks of the car it seems that it may be a Bonnevile or Tempest, the grill seems wider than the G T O and the letters in the grill appear longer than 3 letters. thanks !

From Mystery Foto #65 Solved:The "Robert Moses" Eastern Motor Parkway Bridge Over Northern State Parkway