Vanderbilt Cup Races

Hi Walter:

Thanks so much. I will repost on VanderbiltCupRaces.com this week.

Howard

From The American Mercedes Manufactured in Astoria Queens

From Chris G:

Count me in

From A CALL TO ACTION: The Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

Hello Howard,
I’ve been interested in the history of the LIMP since I accidentally discovered a portion of the road near I. U. Willets Rd. as a kid back in the 1950’s. I’ve seen many pieces of the road fall to the wrecker’s ball over the past half century. Please count me in with your “Call To Action” regarding the Bethpage bridge. Keep up the good work.
Steve Lucas
631-654-1712

From A CALL TO ACTION: The Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

Hi Howard,  I know the car and sent you 2 photos of the car when it was on L.I. It was owned by a local collector in New Hyde Park and later by a collector in Huntington. Regards,  Walter

From The American Mercedes Manufactured in Astoria Queens

Hi-
I HAVE A RACING TROPHY FROM A LOCOMOBILE RACE IN 1906 WON BY MAJOR BOWES- IT WAS PRESENTED FROM THE LOCOMOBILE CLUB OF DEL MONTE CALIFORNIA. IT SAYS IT WAS A 2 MILE RACE. IS THIS RELATED TO THE VANDERBILT RACES? HAVE YOU HEARD OF MAJOR EDWARD BOWES IN THE LOCOMOBILE CAR RACES?
THANKS FOR ANY INFORMATION.

CASSANDRA

From The Amazing and Continuing Saga of the 1906 Locomobile Twins- Part I

Coming upon this area in the late 1980’s initiated my interest with the LIMP. We were tree trimming in the area, and took a little trek in the park. My foremen stated that it was a “the old motor parkway”. The same road near my house in Central Islip? I still work in Nassau, and yes; the abutments are gone. Not all can be saved with the parkway, but the work that Mr. Kroplick and other dedicated people put in is keeping the history of the parkway alive.

Sincerely,

Brian D McCarthy

From Then & Now: The Botto Farmway Bridge in Bethpage State Park

I worked in a building years ago and they told of the steinway pianos but also of turntables for vehicles that were in this plant in LIC they also mentioned coaches.quite possible same plant in article as spaces took up entire block .I will try to locate the address for you.  Tom o. Enymga club

From The American Mercedes Manufactured in Astoria Queens

Howard - definitely count me in for the February get together and any clean-up efforts at the Old Bethpage site or anywhere else. 

Art K.

From A CALL TO ACTION: The Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

I believe that the bodies were made by Steinway & Son’s pianos also located in Astoria next door to the Mercedes plant. IIRC, there was a personal connection between the Steinway’s and the Daimler family.

From The American Mercedes Manufactured in Astoria Queens

Howard,
I worked in one of those factory buildings on Spagnoli Road during the 1970s.  I never knew the parkway ran through that area until I discovered your wonderful site years ago.

I would like to help in some way.  I have a modest website http://www.ashautomobilia.com on which I would be happy to post information about the group’s efforts.

I’m still living on the island and I have developed a real interest in the history of the VMP through your website postings and alerts.  I’d like to help somehow with getting this bridge cleaned up and turned into another attraction within the Old Bethpage Village Restoration compound.

Shoot me an email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) as I have at least one idea that might fly!

From A CALL TO ACTION: The Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

Howard
Count me in , let me know what I can do. Perhaps what you have written here should go out to all of the car clubs you list on your site with a request they place it in their publication , be it print or electronic. I would be happy to put this in the next publication we mail to the members of the Long Island Sound Region of the Classic Car Club of America. Let’s do it for Wille K!
Walt Gosden

From A CALL TO ACTION: The Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

Howard—
  We have spoken a few times and met once or twice.  Not sure what I can offer but would certainly like to sit with other folks interested in the Parkway and see what might be done.
            Elliot Zolin
            516-551-8987

From A CALL TO ACTION: The Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

On page 29 of the`1952 Bridgehampton Road race program me and Austie Clark are in the 1911 mercer race car.We had that car over 85 mph in that run around the track.Not bad for a old car huh?? I worked for Austie before he opened the museum. He was truly a great guy and very knowledgeable of old cars and had a very extensive collection of reference mags. The cars he had were all actioned off.The place now is really run down and the main building is rusting out.If you need any info I have email me. I worked for him in !948 to 1951

From What was the Long Island Automotive Museum?

I am the first employee of Austie Clark.I worked for him before he opened the museum.Me and Norris Hopping moved the cars to the museum from many locations.If anyone wants info contact me at email. As far as I kmow the museum is still in the Clark family.

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

Thanks Hugh and Robert:

The fenders on the Lincoln were custom made out of leather to reduce the noise from stones and pebbles.

Howard

From Vanderbilt Museum Announces New Automobile Addition to Its Exhibit

HI Seth & Michael:

Corrections made and new images added. Thanks for your assistance.

Howard

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Starting Lineup for the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Jean-Yves:

Good job! You are 100% correct.

Howard

From Drivers Who Raced in the 1911 Indy 500 and the Vanderbilt Cup Races (1904-1910)

Hi Howard,
Great stuff… as usual!

May I suggest two things I note…
- Hughie Hughes run the Meadow Brook Sweepstakes in 1908. (no “Meadow Brook” race in 1909)
- William Knipper also run the Massepequa Sweeptakes in 1910. Driving a Lancia (#54), he was seriously injured during an accident in the eighth lap while leading the class. His mechanic and a spectator were also hurt.

Friendly

From Drivers Who Raced in the 1911 Indy 500 and the Vanderbilt Cup Races (1904-1910)

From Robert R:

Wonderful piece on the 1st Indy, Howard.

I must say that I still love the looks of the Wasp.

From Drivers Who Raced in the 1911 Indy 500 and the Vanderbilt Cup Races (1904-1910)

Happy 2011 Howard,
I noticed on the ‘35 aerial on this page where the Bethpage toll house is located. Today there is a structure that is located exactly where the Bethpage toll house was (40*45’44.69"N, 73*27’15.76"W). Not only is this structure approx the same size as the original, but it is positioned just like the original toll house that was destroyed in the ‘60s. It is totally surrounded by trees and can be easily missed. Perhaps they built a new house over the old foundation. Have a safe and happy new year.

From Then & Now: The Botto Farmway Bridge in Bethpage State Park