Vanderbilt Cup Races

Sam III, you may be correct about the Ripley family.

“Mon Set” on these surveys indicate the location and date where a survey monument was placed.

Howard I

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

S(idney). Dillon Ripley, 1913-2001, was Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution from 1964 to 1984.  His great-grandfather, Sidney Dillon, was President of the Union Pacific Railroad.  Might one assume that “your” Sidney Dillon Ripley was his father?  Also, mayhap I’m asleep at the switch but what is the ‘28 Atlas’s designation “Mon Set”, please?  Sam, III

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

As much as I love to hear about Motor Parkway and an assortment of great cars from long ago, I find it fascinating to learn about LIRR history, and all the long since forgotten lines and stations and spurs!

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

From Dick Makse:

“Remember, while this was listed as a “station”, it was likely only a cinder platform and a small lean-to shelter since the trains that served “Motor Parkway” later Camp Mills were one-car trolleys (1916-1928) that were powered by third rail. A one or two commuter type cars (more like a subway car) served the line from 1928 to 1949 when they were replaced with more traditional LIRR commuter cars; all these were powered by third rail. The service to Mitchel Field ended in 1953.

Longer trains did serve the line during both World Wars for troop movements.”

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

The Locomobile probably is seen here in a farm shed of Andrew L. Riker, where the car remained roughly between 1910 and 1920. My efforts to identify the poster on the wall were fruitless, so I hope somebody else comes up with the solution. All I can say is that the poster, advertising apparently a tire make, must have been designed in the early 1900’s and has some resemblance with the well-known Michelin poster by Pignouf.

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

Wouldn’t it be great if it was taken in “Locomobile Headquarters” - Maltby’s Garage in Jericho!!!  If it is - I will definitely need a copy for our collection!! Really neat! Can’t see the piece of art - looks like handcuffs to me!

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

I don’t know the painting, but as per your entry from the website, there’s two places the car could have been; either Riker’s farm, or in a garage on his Bristol, Connecticut depending on if the picture is pre, or post 1914.

  “Locomobile used “Old 16” extensively to promote its manufacturing prowess after the race, but as the novelty faded, it was placed in storage in a barn on Riker’s farm. Joseph Sessions, whose firm did much of the casting for the Locomobile engine, purchased the car in 1914. It was housed in a garage on his Bristol, Connecticut farm that was specially built to care for the car. There it was revered for 27 years and only driven by Sessions who occasionally took it to meets of the Veteran Motor Car Club.”

http://vanderbiltcupraces.com/cars/story/old_16_locomobile

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

How about either the A.L. Riker farm or the Joseph Sessions garage in CT.  Would the artwork be a early sketch by Peder Helck?

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

Haunting and amazing picture of Bete Noir back at home. The snapshot is the first scene I’d expect to see after exiting my time machine. Incredible work! Thanks Howard.

From Three Famous Movie and TV Cars at The Car Show at the Autoseum This Sunday

Art K., good catch. Looking at the photo now, it is really impossible to determine which of the three Mitchells is in the photo.

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Carman Avenue Bridge in East Meadow During the Opening of the Motor Parkway

Ted, the “highway” bridge is definitely through Carman Avenue. It was the only Motor Parkway bridge that curved to the right in October 1908.

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Carman Avenue Bridge in East Meadow During the Opening of the Motor Parkway

Howard - wonder if you can clear up my confusion:  here’s my research for the second car- page 51 in your book “Images of America The Long Island Motor Parkway” shows the same picture as the mystery photo.  Caption reads:
“The No. J13 Maxwell battled the No. N5 Mitchell in East Meadow.”  And on your blog of Sept. 16, 2010 the N5 Mitchell is said to be driven by “H.R. Cousins. Finished 4th.  Am I missing something or can’t I believe everything I read!  http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/friday_september_17_2010_starting_lineup-_the_7_n_cars_fo_the_1908_nassau_s
Thanks.

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Carman Avenue Bridge in East Meadow During the Opening of the Motor Parkway

It was confusing to me about what race it was. I got the cars right and one driver and that’s what that bonus was,learned something again,never a dull moment is there? One question,is that the Carman ave or jerusalem ave bridge,because Greg says Carmam and Steve says Jerusalem?

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Carman Avenue Bridge in East Meadow During the Opening of the Motor Parkway

I have no idea what that bonus question vehicle is ,been researching but nothing,first time I ever saw it

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Carman Avenue Bridge in East Meadow During the Opening of the Motor Parkway

Same here guys. Love that old time music

From Images & a Trophy From the Greatest Vintage Car Event Ever Held on Long Island

The date of the photo is October 10, 1908 taken during the “Jericho Sweepstakes” race. The two cars are a Mitchell, driven by F. Zirbes and a Maxwell, driven by Charles See. I believe the bridge in the background is Jerusalem Avenue. The significant event is the grand opening of the Long Island Motor Parkway. Some might argue that a more significant event also took place on that date: the Chicago Cubs won the first game of the World Series and ultimately won the series 4 games to 1. Cubs fans are still waiting for them to win another World Series.

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Carman Avenue Bridge in East Meadow During the Opening of the Motor Parkway

Howard another great piece of LI history that would have been lost without your dedication Thank You

From Images & a Trophy From the Greatest Vintage Car Event Ever Held on Long Island

I 2nd that previous comment…..Really enjoyed that film….

From Images & a Trophy From the Greatest Vintage Car Event Ever Held on Long Island

Absolutely the “coupe de coupe’ “.
Thanks to Jerry Helck and family plus Walter McCarthy, who still keep up the revs.  Bridgehampton Racing Heritage Group would like first dibs on a DVD copy for promotion of a future LI Motorsports Museum concept before its too late.

From Images & a Trophy From the Greatest Vintage Car Event Ever Held on Long Island

The photo shows a scene during the Jericho Sweepstakes, held on October 10, 1908 at the Long Island Motor Parkway. We see the Maxwell with J13 driven by Charles See, probably followed by the Mitchell with J18 driven by F. Zirbes (the other Mitchell with J12 was out after the first round). On the photo they just passed Plainview Road Bridge.
The wagon on the bridge seems to be a so-called body-break wagon, a large horse drawn wagon with two lengthwise benches. Undoubtedly a local farmer used this wagon to increase his income by transporting spectators to the best viewing spots.
The last question took me some time and lots of possible events passed my mind, until I realized that the day of the races was of course opening and testing day for the brand new Motor Parkway.

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Carman Avenue Bridge in East Meadow During the Opening of the Motor Parkway