About
The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day, and the first international automobile road races held in the United States. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways. This site provides comprehensive information on the races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and current Long Island automotive events, car shows and news.
All Content © 2026 VanderbiltCupRaces.com
Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
The ROW south of Westbury Ave. has been cleared by the Mineola Sanitation Department.
From The Motor Parkway North of Westbury Avenue on the Carle Place/Mineola Border
From Bernie Beck:
“At great day at the races!! Congratulations, Howie! “
From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day
Howard !!!!! did you realize that other cars were passing you?? you have a reputation to consider!! You may need a faster auto for next years spin around the track!!! do you have anything in mind???? Really—-what a great piece of video—thanks for sharing and I also enjoyed the other video clip of the Chyrsler—-start up and rumble for a moment. Keep up the great work—-the automotive Gods applaud you-Bravo
From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day
Howard - This was absolutely thrilling to watch. I can’t imagine how exciting it must have been to actually do it. Thanks for giving us all a chance to sample the experience.
From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day
From David L:
“This was an absolutely amazing 7 minute video of the Alco at the Indy 500. Your driving while being passed by the other race cars was so cool. Thanks for sharing.”
From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day
From Christopher Dyson:
“Honestly the coolest thing I saw all during the race weekend. Hearing those classics roar back to life and watching them do laps felt almost like being in a dream.”
From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day
From Mark Dill (Vice-President of Marketing Indianapolis Motor Speedway)-Facebook
“If you missed Legend’s Day May 26 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway…well, you screwed up. One of the coolest features were the 33 vintage Indy 500 race cars that took to the track at 10 am. Howard Kroplick, owner of one of the racers in the first Indy 500 captured it all from his POV driving around the track.”
http://firstsuperspeedway.com/blog/1911-competitor-returns-brickyard
From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day
There are some cars that should not be restored. One that shows a history of what its done and where its been, probably should not be restored. But this is a highly elegant car that is meant to be pristine. Mind you, a full restoration may not be the issue; the paint has peeled off of the aluminum. A proper stripping of the body and repainting and attending to external cosmetics might be enough. That and a suggested full rebuild (not cosmetic) of the drive train for safety and reliability.
From MotorAuthority.com: Chrysler Barn Find Fuels The 'Restore Or Preserve' Debate
Howard, What a thrill that must have been. Having my brief ride last month and knowing the sensations at “low speeds” I can’t imagine what it must have been like at 70 mph, the steering wheel appeared to have a great deal of vibration. Many thanks for sharing this.
From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day
Thanks for sharing, nice job. if I recall correctly you’ve exceeded the speed that Emerson Fitapaldi acheived with the Black Beast at Indy last year-Congratulations! Looks like the she had quite a bit more in her.
From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day
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
Page 919 of 1022 pages ‹ First < 917 918 919 920 921 > Last ›