Vanderbilt Cup Races

My wife and son went, and brought back some nice photos!  But I wish I could have gone myself!

From Smiles and Thumbs Ups from the Vanderbilt Museum

It’s neat to see it in such a different context.  We’re all used to old shots of it racing, new shots of it being shown off.  This is so different!

From Mystery Foto #33 Update: Three Possible Locations for this Rare Photo of "Old 16"

I notice the runway depicted for Lindbergh’s takeoff in the 1935 diagram is 3800 feet long and different from the longer runway (4700’) with the Byrd ramp. In some other books/publications, they refer to Lindbergh using a 5000 foot runway, the same one Byrd had built for the America. Do you know why there is a discrepancy?

From Historic Views of Roosevelt Field, the Motor Parkway and Lindbergh's Takeoff

In the late 50s that portion of the “curve” in Bethpage was nearly fully intact and not only walkable but able to literally serve its banked responsibility of sustaining our cruiser bikes at top speed! My grandfather’s house (which he built with my uncles and father) is just two blocks from the road right off Central. It has now been confirmed by relatives that he bought his small piece of property in Bethpage shortly after actually working on the roadway and the house he built became a sort of vacation home to replace the small house and land he sold that became part of the land zoned for LaGuardia Airport.

From Then & Now: Deadman's Curve in Bethpage (1908-2014) Updated: April 8, 2014

I believe the location of the photo is on the northeast corner of Montauk Highway (Main St.) and Railroad Avenue in Sayville, NY with the Kensington Hotel in the background. The sign to the left of the Motor Parkway sign looks like a yacht club pennant so I’ll take a wild guess and say Sayville Yacht Club. And maybe the club is the Sayville Automobile Club.

From Mystery Foto #34 Solved: The Sayville Automobile Club in Front of the Kensington Hotel in Sayville

GREAT PHOTO’S

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series #37: Carman Avenue Highway Bridge in East Meadow

Thanks to Al for cracking it wide open for me!

My best guess on the car club would be a chapter of the American Automobile Association (“AAA”/“Triple-A”) since I believe they were the most prominent club at the time.

The location is Sayville.
The club is standing in front of the Kensington Hotel on the Northeast corner of Main St (Montauk Hwy) & Railroad Ave. Prior to it being the Kensington (1900-1952) the hotel was known as Bedell Tavern (1837-1899).
Railroad Ave changes names a few times, but following it takes you directly to the LIMP almost on the Petit Trianons’ front steps, so that Motor Pkwy sign would be accurate.

I couldn’t concretely match the sign for the bonus question to anything, but it would appear to be a nautical flag/yacht club burgee maybe indicating a marina, club or ferry service nearby.

Additionally, I also found that the top photo of Al’s three clue pics was taken Nov. 17 1913. It’s the Vanderbilt Coach with Alfred Vanderbilt at the reins pulling up to the hotel. Text on the back of the photo reads “Venison Dinner Tuesday next 8PM”

From Mystery Foto #34 Solved: The Sayville Automobile Club in Front of the Kensington Hotel in Sayville

Wow. Thank you for clarifying Mr. Helck. This truly remains a mystery. The caption in the photo I think may also help solve the mystery

From Mystery Foto #33 Update: Three Possible Locations for this Rare Photo of "Old 16"

Don’t laugh,another one of my wild guesses,is it Krugs Corner?I i’m desperate aren’t I? I’ll try anything,won’t I?

From Mystery Foto #34 Solved: The Sayville Automobile Club in Front of the Kensington Hotel in Sayville

First off ,I think the pictures are too small and some of them are blurry and can’t make things out…not even with a magnifying glass. Right about virtually impossible question. The one sign is for New York and Brooklyn the other one an arrow pointing to St James,don’t know what that is on top of that,the other arrow I don’t know,I think it’s motor ? too blurred to tell. Best I can do right now. May be back on this later on tonight. Goodnite

From Mystery Foto #34 Solved: The Sayville Automobile Club in Front of the Kensington Hotel in Sayville

Judith: Sounds like the remains of the Carman Ave bridge. Now that would be interesting to see! If you have any photos of the playground, please post them.

From Then & Now: Deadman's Curve in Bethpage (1908-2014) Updated: April 8, 2014

Thanks for that bit of info on that Howard. I couldn’t see anything you saw at all,not even when I blew it up. Now to mystery 34

From Mystery Foto #33 Update: Three Possible Locations for this Rare Photo of "Old 16"

Ted: After some unsuccessful net searching, I think Ariejan has the best guess as it being a tire advertisement. I can see the ad now stating something about, “Run with the best tires”. I believe the white fence with the blurry writing in the center of the portrait may solve the mystery. This one is a toughie!

From Mystery Foto #33 Update: Three Possible Locations for this Rare Photo of "Old 16"

I thank you for the posting of this too Howard

From Video: Henry Ford's Racer "Sweepstakes Rides Again"

I remember playing on the “Old Motor Parkway” when I was a little girl…  It is now part of Salisbury Park Drive.  Black raspberries grew there and it was a dumping ground for old furniture etc.  there was the broken remains of a bridge that was between the elevated remains and Newbridge Road.  We used to walk down to the bridge over Wantagh Parkway.  It bordered the “G"section of Levitt homes which are part of the East Meadow School District.

From Then & Now: Deadman's Curve in Bethpage (1908-2014) Updated: April 8, 2014

What about the bonus question? Not sure on that one are you guys? Sure would like to know for myself if possible

From Mystery Foto #33 Update: Three Possible Locations for this Rare Photo of "Old 16"

That was exciting to watch , even from my desk chair. Thanks for posting this Howard .

From Video: Henry Ford's Racer "Sweepstakes Rides Again"

Had a blast of a good time at this show,I got blown away by The Beast this time.

From Smiles and Thumbs Ups from the Vanderbilt Museum

I say again,you guys are amazing on how much you know on all of this,and thanks for all the info on it

From Then & Now: The Motor Parkway Railroad Station on the "Hempstead Extension (Spur)" Part I

Location could be Joe Sessions’ service garage for Old 16 on his farm in Bristol, CT, after he purchased the racer in 1914. The storage room looks more like a service garage than of a barn setup where the car was previously stored on Rikers farm after the races.  http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/old_16_locomobile_the_1908_vanderbilt_cup_race_winner    I’m clueless on the painting that looks like a lady riding a unicycle or running on top of an auto tire down a dirt roadway.

From Mystery Foto #33 Update: Three Possible Locations for this Rare Photo of "Old 16"