Vanderbilt Cup Races

We’ve now watched this numerous time…another hundred or so and we’ll have you down on record as having driven a full 500! The Beast is amazing here but it must be said too that YOU did a great stint Howard. It is no mean feat to run this legend in the ranks of other Indy legends with all of them reverently striding off the race line to honor your feat. BRAVO!

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day

I tend to come down on the side of those who believe it should be restored.  It’s present condition is due to neglect and not the effects of a rich, real life history, e.g. dings, scratches, etc. from racing.  No one in his right mind should be proud of the neglect this beauty was forced to endure!  This car deserves to be afforded its rightful place in history in a condition that shows how it started out and not where it ended up in a warehouse, ignored for many years, giving up its beauty to the ravages of time and its conditions of storage.  Of course, assuming a restoration takes place, I would hope and am confident that Howard will not lock it away as a museum piece.  This auto needs to be driven on occasion and shared with the automobile loving public.  From how Howard drives and shows The Black Beast, I don’t see any problem for the future of Chrysler’s Chrysler!  Good luck Howard!

From MotorAuthority.com: Chrysler Barn Find Fuels The 'Restore Or Preserve' Debate

Wow, very cool! That must’ve been a ton of fun, plus on top of all of it meeting Mario Andretti!

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day

Because the car is in its current condition due to neglect rather than use, I cast my vote for restoration.

From MotorAuthority.com: Chrysler Barn Find Fuels The 'Restore Or Preserve' Debate

I own a 1914 race car (the Tahis Special) which has never been restored. It was raced from1914 to approx. 1920 and was modified during those years by the owner/builder to make it more competitive. It is preserved in it’s last racing configuration. It bears the scars of it’s racing history at venues such as the U.S. Grand Prix, Vanderbilt Cup, Corona, Elgin and Ascot. It has been maintained as a racing car should and has participated in many current Vintage races. I will not be the person to remove this history (patina?) through “restoration” and most informed observers agree.
In the case of this Chrysler, I would agree that it should be restored to it’s former state because the “patina” is the result of neglect rather than activity by Walter P. himself. It should also be used and displayed in the same manner as Howard does with his Alco racer.
I used to work in the auto restoration business and saw many examples of “over restoration”. There seems to be a tendency to “gild the lily” on the part of some current owners and turn the cars into jewelery that they never were. Hopefully that can be avoided with Chrysler’s Chrysler. Then it will be a true representative of it’s former glory.

From MotorAuthority.com: Chrysler Barn Find Fuels The 'Restore Or Preserve' Debate

Nothing like DRIVING and old car! Static display at car meets etc. is wonderful, but cars were made to be driven, day and night. If you own an old car and don’t use it , except to go to and come from a show , then you are missing 90% of the fun.
Going that speed in a pre WWI motor car is an experience few have had the pleasure of doing. Austin Clark took me for a 80+ mph down North Sea Road in Southampton heading south towards his museum 40 years ago in his type 35 Mercer raceabout.  You are sitting on a bucket seat on a frame , no doors or windshield, only about 15 inches off the ground in a car with 4 inch wide tires and two wheel brakes - PRICELESS!

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day

Wow.  Thanks for sharing.  I’m sure you had a blast!!

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day

Howard, you are a man who truly enjoys his cars, and by driving/using them lets everyone else experience the thrill of the machine as well. WIthoubt doubt an old car is best viewed when in motion!

From More Highlights from the 2012 Indy 500 Race Week

Would have loved to see the car in person.  I’ll bet you put a lot of smiles on people’s faces with that special Chrysler!  All the best with however you preserve the car.

From New York Times Wheels: A Barn-Find Chrysler Tidies Up, Just a Touch, for Greenwich Concours

Nice to talk to you Saturday. Love the period Long Island Chrysler dealer license plate frames.  Maybe you can have the number 10 Transporter plate reproduced, at least for display.  I believe the current King Point maritime academy was previously home of the Chrysler family so perhaps some photos or records of the car exist in their achieves..  Look forward to see the car at future events regardless of what you decide ( am partial to a full blown restoration).

From New York Times Wheels: A Barn-Find Chrysler Tidies Up, Just a Touch, for Greenwich Concours

Huge events documented here. Odd that my 10 year old son was more interested in the Chrysler’s spin! In both cases…Ya Gotta Believe!

From Video "A Ride in Chrysler's Chrysler" and a Met No-Hitter!

Howard it was super to see you and even better to see the Chyrsler It is in much better condition than I imagined and sounds outstanding They can only be original once and I hope for a conservation rather than a restoration There is history in every stitch. Many years of good luck with it and thank you for sharing your passion with us

From New York Times Wheels: A Barn-Find Chrysler Tidies Up, Just a Touch, for Greenwich Concours

Howard, Congratulations on the front page coverage of your latest acquisition! Best of luck with your restoration…Marty

From Old Cars Weekly Cover Article:Chrysler Classic- 1 of 1 '37 fit for company royalty

VERY COOL!!

From New York Times Wheels: A Barn-Find Chrysler Tidies Up, Just a Touch, for Greenwich Concours

Howard, Nice to see the Chrysler on the road. You can almost hear those words,        ( “Once around the Park, James” ) Good Luck with it.  Joseph(motorpky)DeBono

From Longislandonlinenews Video: Chrysler’s Chrysler Drives Again

From Bruce K:
“Hope you had a GREAT time @ Indy.  Pictures look great and the race was terrific, although i wish Tony Kannan won.”

From Roadandtrack.com and Indianapolismotorspeedway.com: The Alco Black Beast on Legends Day

From Cindy M:

“Man you’ve had some fun with the Alco int he last few years, I love seeing the coverage!”

From More Thumbs Ups and Smiles for the Alco Black Beast at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

My mother worked for Mr Clark for 4-5 years, doing research for him in his Glen Cove home. And of course going to the Auto Museum was always a treat during the summers, a short drive from our Water Mill home.

Riding in one of the fire engines behind the museum is a memory I`ll also cherish, one of the lucky ones who sat up front and rang the bell.

Does anyone remember Gordon Clark…..he worked for Mr. Clark for many years.

From Memories of Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Howard, It’s a sad day, They’re remodelling the Lake Ronkonkoma Toll Lodge.        Joseph(motorpky)DeBono

From More Thumbs Ups and Smiles for the Alco Black Beast at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Alco has more mileage on it in the few years than it did in the 20 years before Howard worked his restoration magic. Keep up the good work Howard. You are introducing a whole new generation to the art of preservation and restoration. Those young people sitting in the Alco will remember it forever. Bravo Howard—Bravo.

From Thumbs Ups and Smiles for the Black Beast at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway