Vanderbilt Cup Races

Wow, it is neat to see the hangar once again. I grew up in the curators cottage from 1947-1966.
I never knew what planes had been inside the hangar. We kept our little skiffs in there, swam off the ramp, careful not to step in the tar and get slivers or slip on the moss growth. In Hurricane Gloria, the tide was so high and the sky cleared that I was able to dive off the east side of the ramp.  In the ‘60s the Suffolk County Police housed their boats there. It was a great place to grow up.

From Update: VanderbiltCupRaces Exclusive- Inside William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Hangar and Seaplane

Hi Blake:

Thanks for the feedback!

The museum officially closed its doors in 1980.

I believe I have a film of one of the fire truck rides. Maybe it is you driving! Will post sometine this month.

Enjoy,

Howard

From Classic Memories of The Long Island Automotive Museum Part I

Howard, thanks for continued sending of this historical information. I live a few blocks away from the bridge over 73rd Ave. I remember riding on the bike path section there in Queens back in the 1950’s
Gene

From Article "The Long Island Motor Parkway" By Howard Kroplick & Al Velocci

I find it ironic that we’re now in a battle to keep The Maine Maid Inn around.  Does anyone know the current status?

From Walter McCarthy Collection: Old 16 at the 1988 Vanderbilt Cup Race Celebration

Hi Walt:

Much appreciated!

Howard

From Highlights and Archives for VanderbiltCupRaces.com- December 2011 and a Record-Breaking 2011

Hi Tim:

Thanks! I thought that was you!!

Howard

From Walter McCarthy Collection: Old 16 at the 1988 Vanderbilt Cup Race Celebration

Howard,

Thanks for posting these.

You actually have pictures from 2 different events. The ones in which the car has a front license plate are from a meet in the summer of ‘79 (or possibly ‘78). I know this because I’m in one of the pictures and I haven’t had hair that long since my junior year in college!

Tim

From Walter McCarthy Collection: Old 16 at the 1988 Vanderbilt Cup Race Celebration

Crawford Robertson was a neat fellow, always a gentleman. He lived in an apartment house just east of the Garden City Hotel on Stewart Avenue. He and Austin Clark and I used to go out for lunch fairly frequently (usually at the Maine Maid Inn) back in the 1970s and the conversations were always very interesting. He was on the road a lot in his work and his everyday car was a big deluxe 1960 Mercury station wagon, with the imitation wood trim on the sides.

From Walter McCarthy Collection: Old 16 at the 1988 Vanderbilt Cup Race Celebration

From Robert R:

“Terrific Vanderbilt stuff, Howard…especially the newsreel clip.”

From Update: VanderbiltCupRaces Exclusive- Inside William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Hangar and Seaplane

Howard, it is obvious by the huge increase in viewers that your signature “Enjoy” at the end of each segment is what people are doing. Your devotion and effort to keep the history of the Vanderbilt Cup Races and the L.I. Motor Parkway alive is outstanding and a benefit to all. Your enthusiasm is infectious . We all owe you a great deal for your posting of this material for all to see. My sincere thanks to you.

From Highlights and Archives for VanderbiltCupRaces.com- December 2011 and a Record-Breaking 2011

Hi Walter:

Photo added above. Thanks!

Howard

From Another Vanderbilt Cup Race Mystery: Was Eddie Rickenbacker the Mechanician in this 1906 Photo?

Hi Howard,  I sent you another Rickenbacker photo you may want to include in this collection.  Regards,  Walter

From Another Vanderbilt Cup Race Mystery: Was Eddie Rickenbacker the Mechanician in this 1906 Photo?

What a bittersweet day. The fantastic memories of riding in Old 16 tempered by standing next to Jerry when the State Trooper came over to tell him that his mother, Priscilla Helck, had passed away.

There was a wonderful collection of cars and Friends there that day. Thanks Wally,

Alan Ballard

From Walter McCarthy Collection: Old 16 at the 1988 Vanderbilt Cup Race Celebration

This is a fascinating piece of history.

From Preserving the Maine Maid Inn and the Vanderbilt Cup Races

Hi Howard,
I just noticed the info above about the closing of the museum was 1963, I do not think that is accurate since I did work for him the summer of 1963 and 1964. The museum was open to the public then and part of my duties was to give rides to the entrants on one of the fire trucks. He had sold some cars at that point but, the museum was open to the public. I believe the curved dash Oldsmobile was put on the roof of the museum as an advertising attraction. Great reading all the blogs and seeing the various pictures posted on your site. Thanks.

From Classic Memories of The Long Island Automotive Museum Part I

Hi Howard,
Your info on the LI Auto museum continues to bring back such great memories, as I may have mentioned to you in my last e-mail when I worked for Austin at the museum back in the early 60s as a teenager. I too was given a Captain’s badge by Austin when I was stationed in Vietnam. I think I have a few pictures of the museum that my father took at various rallies that Austin staged, quite often, through the town of Southampton.

From Austin Clark Jr's Sandy Hollow Fire Department Badges

Hi Jim:

I am not sure if I will be attending the Milwaukee Vanderbilt Cup Race event. I do not have any information on it yet.

Howard

From Archives: 1912 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Great pictures from the pits.  Things look the same from the pits at Lime Rock during vintage races.

From Views from the Pits of the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Hi Richard:

If possible, please send a jpeg to me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Thanks,

Howard

From Views from the Pits of the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race

i have a picture of the1910 era where they are preforming a tire change on car #18 grant/lee and one of them crossing the finish line in the same car

From Views from the Pits of the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race