Vanderbilt Cup Races

Fantastic picture of the ALCO next to the Marmon Wasp. They probably have not been that close since 1911!

Fantastic piece of racing history, congratulations.

From Patch.com: "Black Beast to Run Centennial Lap in Indy 500"

Howard:
Very, very cool!  We’ll be tuning in.
Congrats!!
Tom

From Patch.com: "Black Beast to Run Centennial Lap in Indy 500"

We have an amazing assortment of mint, fresh in the box, postcards of automobiles photographed by Henry Austin Clark Jr., in the 1970s. Postcards range from a 1901 Lane Model O Steam Runabout to a 57 Ford T Bird and represent cars in the Long Island Automotive Museum, other famous museum from that period, and private collections. Cards are $1.50 each and discounted in quantities. If interested in seeing our complete list, send me an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Cheers,
Roberto

From Postcards from the Long Island Automotive Museum: Alcos

Dean is correct, the Christie engine had torque at low rpm unlike anything we are used to driving today.  Also, you have to give Barney Oldfield credit for that 100mph lap in what was then a 7 year old race car.  Imagine the old Christie on the bricks at Indy, with skinny little clincher tires pumped up to 80psi and no shock absorbers !  Barney rarely gets the respect he deserves for his talent and for just surviving all his years of racing!

From Saturday Request: Information on the Christie Racers from Barney Oldfield's Great-Great -Nephew

My DVR is set to record!

From Roslyn News "The Alco Black Beast Racer Returns to Indianapolis"

It is a great and historic day for the Black Beast Alco, as well as for our good friend Howard . The moment of a lifetime. All of us are so fortunate to be able to share in the thrill of the day because of this wonderful web site. Congratulations.

From Patch.com: "Black Beast to Run Centennial Lap in Indy 500"

Good Luck and I can’t wait to see a video of this.

From Patch.com: "Black Beast to Run Centennial Lap in Indy 500"

Wonderful accomplishment.  Good luck at the Indy 500.

From Patch.com: "Black Beast to Run Centennial Lap in Indy 500"

Lee Stohr is, perhaps,THE authority on Christie automobiles. I do not know as much as Lee, but I do know a good bit about these cars and agree with the estimate of approximately 140 bhp. But—I would point out that, when it comes to track performance of a large displacement, slow turning engine, horsepower is nearly meaningless compared to torque. It is torque that governs acceleration, and it is acceleration that pulled the Christie so quickly through and, especially, out of turns.

From Saturday Request: Information on the Christie Racers from Barney Oldfield's Great-Great -Nephew

Hello Wayne,
I have done a lot of research on Walter Christie’s automobiles. I think 140hp is about right. One way to estimate the torque and power of these old engines is by using a formula found in ‘The Gasoline Automobile:Vol.II by Heldt(1913)’.  Christie’s big 7.5” diameter pistons and 7” stroke give about 650ft.lbs of torque.  You get big torque when you have a 1237 cubic inch engine !

The engine didn’t turn more than 1200rpm, and Horsepower is calculated by multiplying torque x rpm/5252. So 130-140hp might be right. Christie’s crankshaft was sort of attached directly to the front wheels in top gear. Christie changed his final drive ratio by changing front tires sizes.  Usually he carried a range from 30” to 34”. 

I think the ‘Oldfield’ Christie was one of the fastest cars in the world after Barney had Harry Miller do some work on it. Unfortunately by 1916 there was no place to race a car with that large an engine.  So Barney used it for exhibition runs, track opening ceremonies and record breaking.  The Christie was only set up to run a few miles at a time, it had no radiator. The cooling water circulated through a big tank behind the drivers seat.  After a few laps, it would probably be on the verge of overheating.
However, it was Walter Christie’s last and fastest racing car.  It had a single overhead cam with overhead valves.  Sadly, the car was scrapped in Chicago in 1919.
Lee Stohr

From Saturday Request: Information on the Christie Racers from Barney Oldfield's Great-Great -Nephew

Dear Howard I would like some one to purchase my 14 beautiful Framed matted prints colored 1900 auto’s By famous “Henry Austin Clark Jr.I bought the in 1960’s. The are in excellent condition.I would Sell the Complete Collection for $100.oo each.I know someone would really appreciate them.The Mahogny frames & matted cost me more than I am asking for print.Thank You Very kindly, JG. I loved meeting your father in 1950’s He was a very exciting man, when we talked about antique cars.I had a national winner at Hersey show in the 1970’s. I had a 1929 Studebaker President Cabriolet Convertable I took 7 years to complete.I have some great colored photos of car at Hersey show.Well so long for now,looking forward to hearing from you soon. Respecfuuly Jerry.

From Memories of Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Hi Ken:

Thank goodness for the PS!!

Howard

From First Meeting of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society

Hi Russell:

The braces held canvass fenders when the Beast was not racing. The originals are long gone.

Howard

From Take the Alco Black Beast Road Test

I noticed the front fender braces on the Beast.  Do you have the originals, or are you having a set made?  I know it might race without them,but perhaps they were removed beforehand.  Just curiousity.

From Take the Alco Black Beast Road Test

Howard,
I hope that you have a great run around the track in Indianapolis next week end and I am looking forward to seeing it on TV.
I was requested to ask you of the possibility of showing the “Beast” at the Hallockville Museum on Sat., June 18 as part of an event to celebrate the history of Sound Ave. This is to be a cooperative event by the North Fork Environmental Council and the Museum and will include a trolley tour on Sound Ave. hosted by Dr. Richard Wines, a well-respected local historian. I did explain that this would be somewhat of an imposition on you for such a short visit and demonstration. However, Bob Barauskas will be giving a brief presentation about the 1909 stock car race on Sound Ave. and the Beast would be a perfect example of the type of cars that ran.
Regards, George Bartunek

From Take the Alco Black Beast Road Test

The beast is HOT! I’m listening carefully and it sounds ready than ever before. Please let me know when elbow grease is required at OBVR. Cheers

From Take the Alco Black Beast Road Test

Howard-

  Not too sure about the aconrym LIMP;  but count me in, in any case.  I

Ken Wiebke

From First Meeting of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society

Robert:
Danke schön!

Howard

From Take the Alco Black Beast Road Test

Race viewing has certainly changed over the years. This type of crowd control is more like Rally spectating in Europe, which is not unlike the Vanderbilt Cup races, over public roads and the cars somewhat spaced out.

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Krug's Hotel in Mineola During the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

HelmUt?  Dos es German?  Great shots, Howard.  But I kept waiting for you to really hit the loud pedal.
Thank goodness, summer has arrived…finally.

From Take the Alco Black Beast Road Test