Vanderbilt Cup Races

Art- The building next to the Sarlanis service station on Port Wash. Blvd that you are referring to, also has a bit of history attached to it as well. Today, the building is where the Port Motors Lincoln Mercury Subaru service dept resides, but the building itself was moved to that location years ago, (I wish I knew exactly when and why it was moved). That building, used to be the indoor tennis courts for ‘Manor House’, the John T Pratt Estate, built between 1909-1915, (now known as the Glen Cove Mansion Hotel and Conference Center)

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: The Munsey Park Service Center on Northern Boulevard with a 1956 Chevy

Oh well I’m too late for answering. All I knew was what cars,onlly knew the year of the 1956 chevy with the left rear tail light to fill the gas tank right?

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: The Munsey Park Service Center on Northern Boulevard with a 1956 Chevy

The Munsey Park sign out front partially gave it away. Must be on stretch of Northern Blvd 25A between Plandome Rd and Middle Neck Rd, not sure. This building reminds me of the service stations on Long Island pkwy center medians, and it is attractive and well built. Shame that more of them don’t last.  Photo should’ve been taken late 50s. You’ve got me on the cars as well. The car fueling looks something like a 56-7 Chevy. I’d estimate the price of gas to be around $0.159/gal.

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: The Munsey Park Service Center on Northern Boulevard with a 1956 Chevy

Hi Howard -

The service station in the photo is the Munsey Park Service Station, located at 25 Port Washington Blvd. in Roslyn.  Approximate year is 1956 and the cars shown include a 1956 Chevy Convertible, Studebaker and a Mercury.  Some background info. which I’ll also send you also via e-mail:  The station was owned and operated by Anthony Sarlanis who passed away in Nov., 2012 at approx. 80 years of age.  Based on what I’ve read and in speaking with a person at the current business located at the site, one of Anthony’s sons, Paul was also involved in the business and most probably ran it after Anthony retired.  Unfortunately, Paul took his own life in 2008.  The current business located on the site is named Port Wally’s Service Center and has been operating for about a year.

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: The Munsey Park Service Center on Northern Boulevard with a 1956 Chevy

Munsey Park Texaco Service Station
1956 Chevy convertible
Studebaker - license plate something like MQ5965
Year has to be 1956 or later

This one was kind of easy once I worked out the sign said Munsey.
After that, I found the same photo on e-bay—but I had already figured out 1956 Chevy & Studebaker.
The seller on e-bay says a third car (the white car behind the convertible, probably) is a Mercury. However, the back window seems too low for Mercury and the diagonal chrome on the rear door does not fit either. My first impression was a Dodge & back widow looks a lot like a 1954 Dodge - but the chrome work does not match up. 1952 Oldsmobile had diagonal chrome - but bigger rear window.

The car with the big fins on the lift in the Lubrication bay looks a lot like a 1957 Desoto.

Time on clock is either 1:30 PM or 6:08 PM or it has a big second hand and it’s 1:08:30

Can’t “quite” read the price of gas 😉 but it’s not unleaded gas & the lady (who looks like my aunt who owned a Studebaker) by the Pepsi machine behind the Dodge/Mercury is not pumping her own gas.

A basket of something was $1.79
Neon signs in window say “Complete Brake Service” and “Wheels Balanced”.

Taking a stab at the address: 1649 Northern Blvd - where the PearleVision is now?

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: The Munsey Park Service Center on Northern Boulevard with a 1956 Chevy

After the fact, a few newspapers accused him and at least one other American who had entered but didn’t run the race, of cowardice. Of course this was not true, but made news on the continent where Willie k. Vanderbilt Jr. was well know.

From William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Lucky Cracked Cylinder in the "Race to Death"

The Mors was a very impressive racer for it’s day. Cracked cylinders may have been it’s achilles heal. Dave Uihlein brought his 1908 Mors to one of the early Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca. Sadly, it retired with a broken cylinder. Allegedly it had been found in Argentina with the crankcase broken in half. As Colin Chapman would say, maybe they added a bit to much lightness.

From William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Lucky Cracked Cylinder in the "Race to Death"

Since I am not from or on Long Island, I cannot identify the location.  However, the cars are a different story.  The car on the left in front of the “Washing” bay is a Studebaker, probably a 1950.  The car on a diagonal in front of the “Tires - Batteries” bay is a 1955 Mercury.  The car at the pumps is a 1956 Chevy BelAir and the car to the right of the station is a 1955 Chevy.  There is also a vehicle in the “Marfax” bay that looks like it might have a Continental kit on it, but I could not make out much of anything else regarding its identity.  I think the picture dates to the summer of 1956 or 1957.

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: The Munsey Park Service Center on Northern Boulevard with a 1956 Chevy

Hi Howard, another great story, great photos…......thank you….Dave   10-4

From Then & Now: The Massapequa Turn for the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Not nearly as exciting in the ‘now’ photograph. Great research Howard and loved the video…..You’re dedication to this history is amazing ..... Many thanks….

From Then & Now: The Massapequa Turn for the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Munsey park is on Northern Blvd near the miracle mile I think this was on the north side of the road I see a Studebaker 51-2 a Ford or Mercury 54-5 and a 55-6 Chevy convertible Gas stations were so classy then sorry they’re all gone for the most part Jerita

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: The Munsey Park Service Center on Northern Boulevard with a 1956 Chevy

Unfortunately, the third picture under “1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race, Long Island Motor Parkway, Hempstead Plains” is quite unrelated to the previous two; it shows a right-angle scoreboard in two tiers.  The other pair of boards are single tier.  Help, please.  Sam, III

From The Vanderbilt Cup Race Scoreboards

Howie:  I can’t id the road (since I’ve been a Californian since age 5), but the cars are a 1956 Chevy, what looks like a ‘52 or ‘53 Mercury behind the Chevy, and, on the left, a Studebaker (probably about 1950 or 1951). . . . . . . .I’d guess the year was about 1957 or 1958; is there a hint in the picture????

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: The Munsey Park Service Center on Northern Boulevard with a 1956 Chevy

Howard,
I’m sorry, but I don’t know the location of the Texaco station, but it’s a shame that it had to be demolished.  It’s a nice looking building.
The cars, from left to right—1947-49 Studebaker StarLight Coupe, ‘55 Mercury and ‘56 Chevrolet BelAir convertible.
That’s the best I can do.
Roger

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: The Munsey Park Service Center on Northern Boulevard with a 1956 Chevy

Without doing a lot of research:
Location:  Munsey Park, maybe on Route 25A
Cars: A 1955 Mercury, a 1956 Chevrolet, and a 1949 Studebaker

Ken

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: The Munsey Park Service Center on Northern Boulevard with a 1956 Chevy

I grew up in Great Neck and do remember passing by that building all the time. According to Google Earth, the address is 1625 Northern Blvd in Munsey Park/Manhasset.

Judging by what looks like a brand new 1956 Bel Air convertible, I’ll estimate the date somewhere in ‘57/‘58.

Also, shouldn’t this be ‘Mystery foto #23’ and not 22?

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: The Munsey Park Service Center on Northern Boulevard with a 1956 Chevy

Had a very busy day today,but always have time to check out this site. It certainly was the Race to Death. Hope you all had a safe and happy Fourth

From William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Lucky Cracked Cylinder in the "Race to Death"

I’m sure the black beast was the hit of the show!

From Smiles and Thumbs Up from the 2013 Klingberg Vintage Motorcar Festival

As I said before.this is all very interesting to me,that most of it still exsists and can be found with your help and everyone else. At this time I want to wish you all a safe and HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

From The Vanderbilt Cup Race Scoreboards

Agreed Brian. I believe that the angle this photo was taken made it difficult at first and so the connection wasn’t quickly made. That’s a good mystery photo. Eric had a great idea of answering the mystery with a recent Google Earth snapshot and then cleverly angled it just like the mystery foto. It almost looks like the reconnaissance plane was about to take a nose dive into Mineola. :o .
Ted, it appears everywhere you move you’re right next to the limp. You must have a magnetic attraction to the roadway, always keeping you nearby. I’m glad you’re still my neighbor. :D I’m in Valley Stream. Happy 4th everyone.

From Mystery Foto #22 Solved: 1938 Aerial of East Williston, Mineola & Carle Place