Vanderbilt Cup Races

From John Bayer:

Bill Taylor? 

California Alcos mentioned in the following links, the second mentioning a “Taylor” at Point Loma and San Fran in 1915:

http://books.google.com/books?id=1TwfAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA5-PA113&dq=alco+1910&hl=en#v=onepage&q=alco 1910&f=false (Page 10)
http://books.google.com/books?id=Mk4fAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA16-PA7&dq=alco+racer+1911&hl=en#v=onepage&q=alco racer 1911&f=false   (OCT 21, 1915, page 7 - Taylor, ALCO, Point Loma, 1915)


NOV 1914 Phoenix race and Taylor:

http://books.google.com/books?id=mfUiAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA928&dq=alco+racer+and+“los+angeles”&hl=en#v=onepage&q=alco racer and “los angeles”&f=false

Good coverage of the Point Loma race:

http://books.google.com/books?id=PIVMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA77&dq=alco+and+taylor&hl=en#v=onepage&q=alco and taylor&f=false

FEB 11, 15, “William Taylor in the veteran ALCO”, page 14:

http://books.google.com/books?id=7UofAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA4-PA14&dq=alco+and+“william+taylor”&hl=en#v=onepage&q=alco and “william taylor”&f=false

Maybe some leads here?

John

From Can You Identify this Mystery Alco Racer?

I was given a Sandy Hollow NY badge back in the late 1970’s by a man who was smitten with me.  I have a brother who is a retired fire captain who served in Mayfield Hts. , Ohio.  That is why he gave me the badge; assuming I’d treasure it.  I don’t know the history.  Where can I find out about this badge?

From Austin Clark Jr's Sandy Hollow Fire Department Badges

I live around the block from this bridge.  Always went down there when we were younger and would ride our bikes along to Shelter Rock Road.  It is very overgrown today, but still standing! Amazing to see pictures from the 1920s, thank yoU!!

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#17 Old Courthouse Road Bridge- Manhasset Hills/North Hills

From Ken P:
“Howard - Fascinating article, but no mention of the Vanderbilt races on Long Island among the road races at the time. While not a pure speed competition, the crowds that they attracted certainly had to be among the competitors to the beach races. Do you know how big the crowds were at the other races mentioned (Savannah, Milwaukee, etc)

From The Dawn of Speed: The Ormond-Daytona Automoble Races

CREAT PICTURES. THANKS HOWARD

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#17 Old Courthouse Road Bridge- Manhasset Hills/North Hills

The plate would be a 1911 NY issue stamped steel, white characters on maroon background. The 1910 plates had riveted characters, 1912 porcelain , and then stamped steel again from 1913 on. I’ve got a decent example of a similar plate 1911 mfg plate in my collection if someone would like to see a modern photo of such an example.

From The Alco Practicing for the 1911 Indy 500: The License Plate & Mystery Car

Hi James:

I added a 2003 photo showing the pavement and concrete extension near the bridge.

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#17 Old Courthouse Road Bridge- Manhasset Hills/North Hills

a very beautiful and unique automobile. Can’t wait to see completed photos of the restored car.

From Press Release: Vanderbilt Museum Sells One-of-a Kind 1937 Chrysler

I am far from an expert or even know what I am talking about but after reading the information and known history of the Alco and the mystery photo could be in the L.A. area is there a chance that perhaps this is a replica car as indicated and perhaps the location of the photo could be at one of the original Ascot Speedway’s? There was one around the 1910 era. Maybe the driver is not actually a competition driver but perhaps a ‘test driver’ or a sales rep for Alco? Just a thought from the ‘peanut gallery’.

From Can You Identify this Mystery Alco Racer?

There are still some very clear scapes of roadway just to the left of those poles and you can clearly see both ashphalt and cement in spots. I wonder if drainage was always a problem in this particular stretch.

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#17 Old Courthouse Road Bridge- Manhasset Hills/North Hills

Do you have any record of my grandfather, Ralph Bitter, from Union or Orange, NJ, who was a mechanic with the Duesenberg racing team? Thanks for a great website and info source!

From Spectacular Aerials of Roosevelt Field and Roosevelt Raceway (1924-1938)

I first saw that building in 1958 during a family outing to the lake. My grandfather mentioned that it was associated with the Vanderbilt Parkway. I had no idea then what that meant except for the fact that a piece of that same parkway was just a few feet from my grandad’s self-built home in Bethpage. It is ever so important to preserve these incredibly important parts of our heritage.

From Then & Now: The Annex to the Petit Trianon

From Sam Berliner III:

“The radiator cap is quite different. “

From Can You Identify this Mystery Alco Racer?

Hi Penny:

I agree… it is really an unusual photo.

Howard

From Can You Identify this Mystery Alco Racer?

From JeRita:

“Howard there is no one better qualified than you to get this great car. I know you will restore her to glory again and best of all drive her and share with others. Please keep us posted on her progress. CONGRATULATIONS”

From Press Release: Vanderbilt Museum Sells One-of-a Kind 1937 Chrysler

This bridge was the first image I saw of the LIMP, when I Googled, America’s earliest parkways/freeways. It invoked a sense of some, almost remote time in history. It also looked like the old bridges designed by the New Haven Electric Trolley lines, early suburban public transport, New Haven to Guilford, Ct. crossing my street in North Branford. One particular bridge, crossing the Farm River, still stands, and is around eighty feet(?) long.

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#17 Old Courthouse Road Bridge- Manhasset Hills/North Hills

I noticed in the first photo, a snow plow plowing the Motor Parkway. From the stories that I have heard from the people who have lived on Long Island for many years, a snow plow was rarely, if ever, seen in those days. It is interesting that those in charge of the Motor Parkway made sure the road was cleared of snow.

From The Length of the Long Island Motor Parkway

Who owns the bridge today?  Is it in safe hands?

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#17 Old Courthouse Road Bridge- Manhasset Hills/North Hills

Howard,
Mazel Tov on your purchase of that terrific Chrysler.  Knowing you, I’m sure that the car will get the restoration it deserves.  I couldn’t think of anyone who is more deserving of this auto.
I can’t wait to see it.
Best,
Roger Price

From Press Release: Vanderbilt Museum Sells One-of-a Kind 1937 Chrysler

Wow Howard! I am so excited to see you bought it. I saw it as is and can’t wait to see how well you will restore it to it’s glory!

From Press Release: Vanderbilt Museum Sells One-of-a Kind 1937 Chrysler