Vanderbilt Cup Races

Thanks, Roger!

Happy New Year!!

Howard

From The Top Twenty 2011 Posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com

Howard,
I just want to thank you for your weekly emails, which update activities of the Motor Parkway Preservation Society.
I look forward to your emails each week.
I wish you a happy, healthy and successful 2012.
Rog

From The Top Twenty 2011 Posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com

Hi Tom:

Happy holidays and a super 2012 to the entire Grant family!

Howard

From Article “The 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race” by Peter Helck

Howard-
Thank you so much.
I hope you and your family have a terrific 2012!!!
All the best,
Tom

From Article “The 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race” by Peter Helck

Howard this was a GREAT story I love things like this A happy holiday and healthy new year to you and your family JeRita

From Details on the "Thermos The Bottle" Truck at the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Nice photos Howard.  Happy Holidays to all friends and family of the Motor Parkway Preservation Society.

From Winter Holiday Scenes of the Long Island Motor Parkway and the Vanderbilt Cup Race Courses

From James S:

“One of Gram’s “Eve Gifts” is the exploration of the Parkway just east of Lakeville Road today. He’s taking his new Ford GT remote control car with us so it can experience a taste of what he calls the “greatest car race in history after LeMans of course.” He says it that way every time he refers to the Vanderbilt Cup Race.

Happy New Year and see you in 2012.”

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series: #14 Lakeville Road Motor Parkway Bridge in Lake Success

From Robert R:

“Fascinating piece about Thermos, Howard.  I never knew.”

From Details on the "Thermos The Bottle" Truck at the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Great 2009 photos!  Regards,  Walter Mc

From Winter Holiday Scenes of the Long Island Motor Parkway and the Vanderbilt Cup Race Courses

Spectacular!

Take a look:

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/third_clean_up_the_old_bethpage_motor_parkway_bridge_day_scheduled_for_satu

Howard

From Update #1: Damage to the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

How did the Bethpage bridge cleanup go Howard?

Phil

From Update #1: Damage to the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

Howard/Robbi - thanks for the info.  What’s funny is that I and another member of the Society had planned to explore that area this Friday for my website.  If something is there, I’ll find it!.  I’ll definitely send along anything I find.

From Then & Now: The Motor Parkway near Burrs Lane, Half Hollow Hills

From James S:

“Gram and I spent part of yesterday scrutinizing the wooded area sandwiched by the Grand Central and Marcus Ave where there was a bridge crossing just a few 100 feet west of what is now Lakeville Road as depicted in last week’s newsletter. Gram was excited to find a few small pieces of asphalt coating cement that I’m sure are final remnants of the parkway. He is endlessly fascinated by the road and we are plannng a hike over bits of the road from Bethpage the Christmas Holiday.”

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series: #13 Marcus Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge in Lake Success

Thanks for keeping the memories of the riding mechanics alive.

From The Dangerous Role of the Mechanician

From Robbi S:
“I’d like to thank you for the work you did! I did take a cursory look at the area nearest the school but have not yet found any remains.”

From Then & Now: The Motor Parkway near Burrs Lane, Half Hollow Hills

Just to the south of the bridge is a parking lot behind a business on Spagnoli Road. If anyone has a tall truck or other vehicle, someone could take a photo looking over the fence from that lot.

From Update: The Last Intact Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County in the Melville Sand Pits

Perhaps a committee could be formed to look into ways of approaching the owners and working with them to preserve this historic
bridge.  Money is tight nowadays but perhaps Suffolk County could buy a strip of land parallel to the old LIMP Right of Way along the edge of the sand pits near the public road.  The historic bridge could be moved onto that strip and it could be part of a bicounty LIMP hiking and biking trail.  Groups like the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities (my former employer) and the Vanderbilt Museum (my current one) may offer help to this project.

From From the Ridolph Collection: The Motor Parkway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Maybe a committee should be formed to look into ways of approaching the owners about preserving the LIMP bridge. Money is tight nowadays but perhaps the two counties could buy a strip of land parallel to the old LIMP route, move the bridge onto it, and make it part of the bi-county
LIMP Hiking and Biking Trail.  Groups like the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities (SPLIA) and the Vanderbilt Museum (my employer) might furnish some helpful advice regarding this.

From Update: The Last Intact Motor Parkway Bridge in Suffolk County in the Melville Sand Pits

I second Walt’s comment about Austin’s name.  I first met him in the early 1960’s just after Castro had appropriated the Cuban American Sugar company which was the origin of the family’s fortune.  We had many drinks together over time - during which he told me about his career as a spy during WWII.  He claimed to have been stationed in London.  His job was to frequent the bars and finger people with loose lips.  He claimed to have been picked for the job because his looks were ‘ordinary’.  A mutual friend said he looked like a grown up Campbell Kid.  Perfect. I vividly remember a ride in the Packard Twin-Six at the museum.  Also a show at Floyd Bennett field where he rounded up an assortment of enthusiasts (me included) and took us home to Glen Cove for an impromptu party to the intense annoyance of his wife.  I met Peter Helck at that party and have a nice letter from him as a souvenir of the occasion.  The most knowledgable old car guy I ever met.

From Old Cars Weekly Article: "Always Austie: Remembering old car hobby icon Henry Austin Clark, Jr."

I worked for Austin as his librarian at his home in Meadow Spring for two straight years in the mid 1970s and during vacation time from teaching until his demise. Although he is referred to as"Austie” in articles and in person by some he never called himself that name during the nearly 25 years we were close friends. He always introduced himself as Austin when he called on the phone or met someone for the first time. We shared many ‘adventures’ together: attending AACA annual meetings in Philadelphia,SAH meetings at Hershey, trips into MADSACAS, IMPA meetings in NY City or to Jimmy Ryans jazz club on 54th St. until it closed because they sold the building. Iron Range Days were by invitation (phone call or post card) that Austin enlisted my help to do, and were open to friends who could in turn invite friends they could trust. It was great to go to luncheons at the Main Maid Inn to join Rudy Creteur of Rollston or be on the same team of people with him (including Walter McCarthy) in the Long Island Old Car Club that for decades hosted runs and dinners to celebrate the anniversaries of the various Vanderbilt Cup Races.The last major one we worked on was in 1988. I was the one who made up the bid paddles for him for his last car auction. This year marks the 20th anniversary of his passing, and I still miss my friend Austin. He was my mentor and an inspiration.

From Old Cars Weekly Article: "Always Austie: Remembering old car hobby icon Henry Austin Clark, Jr."