Vanderbilt Cup Races

Tom, thanks for the info!

From History Channel's "Men Who Built America" Series

Hope we don’t get that storm, I’m looking forward to take that drive from Queens to Ronkonkoma. All these years I knew about Motor Parkway, but not that it was and still is historic. I knew about the sretch on Jericho by Westbury Gardens,I was at an event once, but didn’t know it started in Queens, the presentation informed me of that on Thursday nite,well as they say, “you live and learn”. That story he told was pretty amazing too. Got my finger crossed for Sunday,see you bright and early

From Smiles and Thumbs Ups from the 2012 Antique Car & Fashion Show in Cutchogue

Actually Carnegie didn’t hire Frick so much as go into business with him.  Frick was not a coal supplier.  He produced coke for blast furnace consumption.  He owned coke furnaces.  Carnegie convinced him to come in with him and being ready to retire gave him control of the steel company.  After the strike, Carnegie, horrified sold out to J.P. Morgan and then, like Rockefeller he spent the rest of his life setting up charitable institutions, esp. libraries as he had loved to read as a child.  (My home town has one of his libraries.  - TBA

From History Channel's "Men Who Built America" Series

Howard !  What a great show it was indeed, especially that BEAST of a ride with you, the greatest I ever had, never thought I would get a chance like that, riding in a historical racing car like that, I sort of made history, didn’t I ?  Can’t thank you enough.

From Smiles and Thumbs Ups from the 2012 Antique Car & Fashion Show in Cutchogue

Frank, it may be. Any Queens experts wish to confirm?

From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structure #2 Hillside Ave Lodge & #3 Rocky Hill Rd Lodge in Queens

Brooks, I appreciate the comment. I cannot wait to see the race on December 4th.

From History Channel's "Men Who Built America" Series

Howard,

I actually saw the promo the other day….while watching the History Channel and saw you !  Great job !

Thanks for keeping the Black Beast alive.

Brooks Marston
(Great Grandson of Harry F. Grant)

From History Channel's "Men Who Built America" Series

Also at the top of the aerial, is that Cloverdale Blvd cutting across Alley Pond Park?

From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structure #2 Hillside Ave Lodge & #3 Rocky Hill Rd Lodge in Queens

Hi Howard
Recently, I stumbled across the white bridge pictured in the center of the 1937 aerial above and was amazed to discover it still exists today! It’s been hidden north of the baseball diamonds since the widening of the GCP. It’s accessible from Douglaston Pkwy on the Alley Pond Park/GCP Service roads. The roadway is so deteriorated it must be the original surface.

From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structure #2 Hillside Ave Lodge & #3 Rocky Hill Rd Lodge in Queens

Thanks Jean-Yves. Correction has been made.

From 1904 Renault Vanderbilt Cup Racer

Hi Howard,
Beautiful photo indeed!
The second picture (caption “Another view of Bernin and…”) is in fact Ferenc Szisz at the wheel of the Renault prior to the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup.
This car was the same (slightly modified) that Szisz drove 5th in the french elimination trial for the 1905 Gordon Bennett Cup held june 16 on the “Circuit d’Auvergne”, France.

From 1904 Renault Vanderbilt Cup Racer

I thought that was your Black Beast .. when I saw the coming attractions on the History Channel.  I’m glad you are continuing to enjoy the Beast.  Its really neat that this car was actually in the car races with Vanderbilt as a contender !

Take care!
Bob

From History Channel's "Men Who Built America" Series

Hershey is not the world’s largest car show.  The world’s largest car show is in Vasteras, Sweden, July 4 weekend, the Big Power Meet.  Over 12,000 American cars.

From Highlights from the Hershey Fall Meet: "Reflections Through Time"

I had a feeling that was the Black Beast in that promo!  Wow, ever since Emerson Fittipaldi drove you around Indy a few laps you’ve become his protege!  😊  Great to see even more fun time for you with that car!. Keep your speed up!

From History Channel's "Men Who Built America" Series

Howard I remember going out to the museum when I was in my early teen’s If I’m not mistaken my Mom might still have photo’s. I’ll try to get them and see you get to share my exciting visit before I was able to drive

From Then & Now: Long Island Automotive Museum

Ditto that. Among all the cars at these meets and shows that caution everyone not to touch, the Beast proudly says, “Come aboard, and have some fun.”  The last picture says it all.

From Smiles and Thumbs-Ups from the 2012 Bridgehampton Vintage Auto Poker Rally

Howard,

You are a wonderful person and a tribute to all the classic car clubs.  Thanks for your newsletter and your dedication for keeping history in perspective.

Regards, Mark Thomas

From Smiles and Thumbs-Ups from the 2012 Bridgehampton Vintage Auto Poker Rally

Omar Toft mentioned above was my grandmothers cousin. She talked about him being a race car driver but not a lot of detail.

From Newsreel "1915 Vanderbilt Cup Race"

My husband and I bought a house in Levittown 3 years ago. I couldn’t figure out why there was a parcel of vacant land between houses that was a block over from us. I always wondered what it was. Now I know after hearing about the news of the possible condo development (which I just got a letter today saying it’s been halted, good news!). Also, a bit off topic, but I once almost got into a car accident driving down the block at night. I saw a teenage boy in turn of the century clothing in the middle of the street. I swear it was a ghost. I swerved, looked in my rear view mirror, and he was gone. I told my mom about this, and she said it seemed strange since there was nothingness in my neighborhood back then. Perhaps I saw someone who died in a car accident from motor parkway? who knows!

From The Hempstead Plains Motor Parkway Bridge Near Bloomingdale Road

Was a great show of original well taken cared of cars,some that I have never seen before and I go to alot of car shows,this one is always the best. It’s worth the 1hr.1/2 drive to see these beautiful cars and enjoy the day,especially to see that one of a kind ALCO that I can never ever see enough of which Howard could atest to. I’m almost always there when he is.

From Autoweek.com: "Car Heaven in The Hamptons"