Vanderbilt Cup Races

Hi Howard is this area due east of 5 towns college near Fox Lane in Dix Hills. Thanks for the pictures.

From Then & Now: A Hidden Section of the Motor Parkway in Western Suffolk

Hi Larry:

Thanks for the memory. Much appreciated!!

Howard

From Then & Now: Long Island Automotive Museum

Since I was a boy, I wanted to visit Henry Austin Clark Jr’s Long Island Automobile Museum, but it was a long way to there from Middle Tennessee.  One of the reasons, of course, is the we love antique automobiles.  The other important reason I wanted visit there:  My uncles’ and dad’s names were Henry, Austin, Clark, and (F.C.) Jr. !  So, I felt an emotional attachment to this great museum and man who I never got to see in person.  I like to think that Henry Austin Clark Jr. and my uncle Henry, dad Austin, uncle Clark, and uncle Jr. finally got together in Heaven and had a good laugh about their common names and love of the old cars.

From Then & Now: Long Island Automotive Museum

Hi Elliot:

Good catch! Official Motor Parkway documents list the length as 44.0 miles, not counting the 2.1 mile extension connecting the Motor Parkway to Jericho Turnpike in Commack (now Harned Road).

The Motor Parkway in this area was cleared by the current property owner who realized its historic significance.

Howard

From Then & Now: A Hidden Section of the Motor Parkway in Western Suffolk

Howard—
  I am curious. You posted two differing amounts for the length of the VMP—44.0 and 45.0 miles.  And I have seen differing lengths often referred to.
Why?
  Also—who cleared the 225 feet.
  Thank you.

From Then & Now: A Hidden Section of the Motor Parkway in Western Suffolk

Hi Tom:

It should not be a problem to attend the Council Meeting. Contact Charlie Cali at 631-831-3547 or Dennis Manfredo at 631-642-7555 .

Howard

From 2012 Presidents Car Club Council Meeting

Like finding the remnants of an ancient Roman road. There is a taste of mystery as well as legend. A shame there is now so little left to explore.

From Then & Now: A Hidden Section of the Motor Parkway in Western Suffolk

From James P:

“I very much appreciate being on your mailing list and receiving the material about the Motor Parkway. When I was in the Boy Scouts in Lynbrook ca. 1952 we camped overnight at a Scout facility called Harkness which was somewhere north of Hempstead. A portion of the Motor Parkway ran through that area, and I recall our troop hiking on it during our weekend camping experience. My father(1897-1973,born in Woodmere, recalled driving on the Motor Parkway on several occasions. Thank you for all the effort you
and others are putting into the preservation of the Motor Parkway and its traditions.”

From Then & Now: A Hidden Section of the Motor Parkway in Western Suffolk

I am with the Centerport fire dept and we are hosting our 17th. annual car show on may 6th. and was wondering if I could attend the mtg. on Sun.
Thanks
Tom

From 2012 Presidents Car Club Council Meeting

I appreciate this great story, especially since I had never heard of this before.

From The Mulford Special: "A Roadster That Saved a City"

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