Vanderbilt Cup Races

Hi Howard, I was at both auctions and what I often found worthwhile and amusing where Austin’s descriptions of the various vehicles in the auction catalogs.  I will look up a few humorous ones and send them to you.

From Classic Memories of The Long Island Automotive Museum II The 1963 & 1980 Auctions

Your question as to the Melville lodge in respect of the foto.  Don’t know, because if this building is off Baylis or Duryea Roads, it might be the little old school house in Melville, that is if there is also a full set of windows on the far side of the buildidng from those which are partially covered—like two school rooms?.
Any other fotos of the LIMP going East or of the immediate area?  There was an orphanage for girls on Ruland Rd, St. Rose Industrial School, and the nuns used to take the trolley to Farmingdale, and we had a small farm just South of Ruland Rd on West side of Broad Hollow Rd. 
Edith

From From the Ron Ridolph Collection- Then & Now: Motor Parkway Lodges

Hi Rick:

Here are some links to information on the two “999"s:

http://www.mshf.com/museum/999.htm

http://www.diecast.org/diecast98/html/asp/list_reviews/xq/ASP/id.EX88040/qx/reviewpix.htm

Howard

From Detroit Road Trip: Old 16, the Ford Quadricyle, 999, Ford Factories and the Jets!

Great to see these pictures, hope more will keep coming.

From Memories of Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

I was so glad to see these pictures, Mr. Henry Austin Clark was a man way ahead of his time! His forethought for the preservation of early automobilia, should have kept going. I wish the L.I. Automobile Museum never closed, but had gotten larger and and more people could have had the vision the that he had. There is so much interest and so many people on Long Island have embraced the hoby of antique car, hot rods, and specialty vehicles that this would have ben a perfect place to gather and learn. There is barely a weekend now on Long Island when there are not Car Shows of some kind all over the Island. I was fortunate to have met Henry many times in the mid 1970’s, and listened to many stories of unique cars, and a bygone era over a drink in Locust Valley. Thank you for posting those pictures, it brought back a lot of fond memories.

From Memories of Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

From Paul E:

Howard;Your emails are Fantastic. I would think this is a lot of work, but I would think, you think it is worth it or you would not do it.  I am sure You have gotten THANKS from anyone who gets the emails.  Please keep up the great work.
Stay well and THANKS.

From 1997 Exhibit and Film "Old 16- An American Legend"

Hi Andy:
A Motor Parkway bridge at Commack Road was planned but never built.

I believe the last Motor Parkway bridge in Suffolk County was at Deer Park Avenue. Does anyone have a photo of the bridge?

Howard

From Demolition of the Williston Park/East Williston LIRR Motor Parkway Bridge

I remember two things about the museum as a kid.There was a (yellow ?) W.W.One water wagon that was just a huge conglamoration of cast iron. My father, he was 45 when I came along, was inducted at Ft. Dix during W.W. I and learned to drive on just such a truck. He later went on to become a chauffer and drove some of the finest cars ever made, including a Rolls Phantom Two American town car (body by Brewster).

The other memory is of a Waverly electric car which appeared to be a china closet on wheels.The remarkable thing is, as I remember, is that it was complete with the original charging board. I lived just up the hill from Les Cutting ,as a young driver, and sold/ gave him my ‘38 Buick six wheeler after the clutch “froze ” together after sitting for a while . My father, the chauffer said they used to put a stick between the seat and clutch peddle to keep the clutch faces apart.I said to my father ” Why didn’t you tell me that in the first place?”.

As a kid I remember riding up New York Ave from the American Legion Hall toward Huntington in the Rolls. I must have asked something like how fast are we going?, because in my mind’s ear (as in mind’s eye ) I can still hear my father saying” This ais what it is like to go 50 miles an hour.” There was less traffic and no stop lights in those days.( I was born June 19,1940 in Huntington Hospital)

From What was the Long Island Automotive Museum?

Andy:

You are correct at the location of Petit Trianon. The about survey shows the relationship of the Motor Parkway, Petit Trianon and the Annex.

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/vcrsys/Images/Alco/Scan7231.jpg

Howard

From From the Ron Ridolph Collection: The Annex to the Petit Trianon Inn

Hello Howard,
  I believe I read somewhere that Barney Oldfield purchased one of the “999” vehicles and raced it independently for a time. One of our members sent us a photo from his family collection that showed the “999” being repaired after an accident. About 1909???
Sincerely,
Rick A. Jorgensen
Golden Era Automobile Association

From Detroit Road Trip: Old 16, the Ford Quadricyle, 999, Ford Factories and the Jets!

Was there a bridge over Commack Road, south of the expressway, that was taken down a few years ago?

From Demolition of the Williston Park/East Williston LIRR Motor Parkway Bridge

Does the current motor parkway end in the same spot the original did?  That is, if I drive east on it today, when I get to Rosevale Ave - the end of the road - would I be looking straight ahead at where the Petit Trianon was located, or would the original parkway have ended further north or south?

From From the Ron Ridolph Collection: The Annex to the Petit Trianon Inn

Hi Mark and Andy:

I have made a request to The Henry Ford to show the entire ten-minute film.

Anyone who wishes to voice an opinion concerning the Calverton property should participate in this Long Island Business News poll:

http://libn.com/blog/2010/11/12/town-pulls-plug-on-riverhead-resorts/

Enjoy,

Howard

From 1997 Exhibit and Film "Old 16- An American Legend"

I too would love to watch the whole film.  What a great way to commemorate Long Island’s heritage in motorsports.  Now if we could just get a road racing circuit built on the Calverton property we could bring our history full circle!  Actually, let’s not make that a circle, lets make it a road course!  😊

From 1997 Exhibit and Film "Old 16- An American Legend"

Hi Howard.

Where could I find the complete film?

From 1997 Exhibit and Film "Old 16- An American Legend"

The photos of Spinney Hill are so clear! Fantastic.

From The Spinney Hill Grandstand for the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Hi Harry:

Here is a link to images of your grandparents’ building:
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/thursday_november_11_2010_from_the_ron_ridolph_collection_the_annex_to_peti

Howard

From From the Ron Ridolph Collection: Images of the Long Island Motor Parkway

Please help me to find out more about my Grandfather, Andrew C. Balfour, Sr. who was hired by the Whitney’s to be their chauffeur and mechanic in Oyster Bay out of New Orleans in the 1900’s.  He was about 21. It was said that he was the “first chauffeur” in New Orleans and he was a mechanic.  We have a photo of grandpa seated in car 11 of the Vanderbilt Cup Race in his chauffeur’s attire.  I have a number of Oyster Bay photos.

From Calling All Vanderbilt Cup Race Families

Thanks to all for their memories of Henry Austin Clark, Jr. and the Long Island Automotive Museum!

Enjoy,

Howard

From What was the Long Island Automotive Museum?

Fantastic photos. Thanks for sharing them.

From A Request from the Son of the Winner of the First Motor Parkway Race: Herb Lytle