Vanderbilt Cup Races

From Penny H:

Dear Howard: Well now you have really outdone yourself. Lordy what an incredible group of cars and all those costumes too. I wonder if anyone knows where most of these cars are today….....

Ah wouldn’t it be fun to step back in time if only for that afternoon.

Cheers,
Penny

From Film Part I- VMCCA 1942 Antique Auto Derby "50 of America's First Cars"

From Meredith M:

WOW!!! That 10-minute film is EXTRAORDINARY!! How I wish my grandfather [1888-1990] were alive to see it, or even my father [1915-2001]. The quality of the film is really amazing—I love the part where the 1898 car catches fire and the photographers rush in, almost pushing out the guy with the quasi-fire extinguisher.

This is a treat. Thanks, Howard

From Film Part I- VMCCA 1942 Antique Auto Derby "50 of America's First Cars"

Great pictures and interview, Howard, and thanks for helping to make it a fun and memorable day. All the local papers followed it up with stories and everyone’s still talking about the appearance of “The Beast”. 
Earl

From The Bridgehampton Vintage Auto Rally Parade Part I

Hi Howard,  There were many years of meets at the Fairfield County Hunt Club.  I think the last one I took a car to was in 1965. I am quite sure that the (1908) 90HP Mercedes belonging to James Melton was c. 1913. The car is now in the collection of Dick King in CT. It was very comon to predate cars in the early days of the hobby. Great piece of film! Regards,  Walter

From Film Part I- VMCCA 1942 Antique Auto Derby "50 of America's First Cars"

Hi Kevin: The car show is listed.

Howard

From News and Updated Schedule of Long Island Car Shows & Automotive Events

The first annual antique and classic car show will
be at the Birchwood Adult Home at 423 clay pitts rd in east northport on 10/17/2010 from 10-3pm
I hope you can pass this info along to anyone
interested in attending, or contact the adult home
at 368-5252.

From News and Updated Schedule of Long Island Car Shows & Automotive Events

Hi Steven:

They are two different bridges. The Motor Parkway “Sandpit” Bridge is on private property west of Route 110 and not open to the public. The Maxess Bridge (only abutments remain) is located east of Route 110:

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/wednesday_september_22_2010_a_new_motor_parkway_map_suffolk_county_historic

Howard

From The Eight Intact Long Island Motor Parkway Bridges

The last photo, “Sandpits, Melville, Nassau County”, is that the same as the site of the Maxess Road Bridge, in Melville, NY 11747. While using Google Earth, I saw pictures of the old bridge, near 135 Maxess Rd. ( just east of Rte. 110 ).
Is Sandpits the same as Maxess Rd. Brige or is that a different one in Melville?

From The Eight Intact Long Island Motor Parkway Bridges

It was great seeing you today with your car!
When you took the pictures today nothing was said about copies. If it is possible you can e-mail copies of me and Herman and Eileen Berg. We would get a kick out if it.

Regards, Jack

From Favorite Website: Suffolk Historic Newspapers

Howard - two parkway posts are found in the Levittown picture just left to the white fence on the right. Enlarging the pic helps.  These are the only ones I’ve encountered on this section of the Roadway.

Also, the link on the Bethpage section mentioning Round Swamp Road isn’t working.

Very informative blog this week.  Thanks.

From A "New" Motor Parkway Map & Nassau County Historical Sites

Howard, thanks for putting the information up.  And thanks to Howard for preserving the roadway.

From The Motor Parkway in Garden City: The Russell Road Backyards

Thank you Bob for sharing and Howard for passing along.  Now I know what will be keeping me busy as we move into the colder months.

From Favorite Website: Suffolk Historic Newspapers

Great find, Howard. I blogged about it today.

http://firstsuperspeedway.com/blog/free-line-newspaper-search

From Favorite Website: Suffolk Historic Newspapers

Marty HImes told me many years ago that there were buried sections of the MP that still existed but I am not sure if they were Russell Road.

The town ought to landmark Arthur’s section, if it is the only large piece left, so that any future owner of the property will not have it dug up and carted off to the landfill.

Penny

From The Motor Parkway in Garden City: The Russell Road Backyards

From Randy H:

Hi Howard,

I was at the Vanderbilt Mansion last weekend, for the annual Jaguar Concours held there, and once again found the whole mansion display of the Cup Races and Motor Parkway fascinating. I have long been intrigued by the whole ‘birth of racing’ here on Long Island, being a resident and passionate sports car owner and aficionado.

So earlier this week I did the requisite Wikipedia and Google searches to learn more about all this history, and come across your wonderful site! I’m still exploring all the nooks and crannies but found the recent blogging on the 15 page map and all the photos of the remaining sections of the Parkway most interesting.

I have lived in Dix Hills (right off of Vanderbilt Parkway) for 10 years now, and always knew I was driving on a piece of history everyday as I went to work or passed the library and noticed the historic site sign.

To my immense surprise, I came across the photo you have of the single concrete marker still standing (the one with the United Methodist Church sign in it). Lo and behold, that marker is practically right across the street from my house!

Alas, I must inform you that the marker is no longer standing straight as in the picture. It’s now tipped over on its side, perhaps a casualty of last year’s rough winter plowing. This morning I tried moving it a bit and found it appears still grounded somehow at the bottom, perhaps with a steel post of sorts (didn’t want to pry too much underneath it).

So I did not want to mess with it anymore until I contacted you, but I would be more than happy to assist in reanchoring it or preserving it in some other manner if that’s possible and appropriate.

Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

From A "New" Motor Parkway Map & Suffolk County Historical Sites

Correction, I confused ‘lodge’ and ‘toll booth’.  I assumed the current house was the latter.  My mistake. 

I guess there wasn’t another structure in that area then?

From Then & Now: The Ronkonkoma Lodge

Howard,
I took a ride at lunchtime today and stopped by the Ronkonkoma house at Woodlawn.  What I found really interesting was the fact that the front lawn - parallel to the current pavement yet elevated above it- was flat.  The lawns of the homes running on both sides of the house were also flat.  What I am saying is, based on the photo of the overhanging section of the original structure, the front lawn of the current house is probably the original parkway road surface.  It looks like the neighboring yards all were flat and part of that roadway too.  Today of course, the flat stretchs are broken by driveways but it was obvious that the yards all were aligned and level.

Just thought that was interesting! I wonder if you dug down in the lawn a little ways if you might find pavement!

By the way, where was the lodge in relation to the current house?  Further east?  West?  Just curious.

From Then & Now: The Ronkonkoma Lodge

This week I was going through old letters that my father had in a desk drawer and found a letter from Harry A. Clark, Jr. to my grandfather thanking hime for two old dusters my grandfather had dontated to the Museum in August of 1953.  In return for the donation, was a Patron’s Pass which was good for permanent admission to the Museum for my grandfather and one other person.  They were only given out to people who helped the Museum without personal benefit. 

My family was planning a trip to Sag Harbor in October and thought this would be an opportunity to check out some of our history. 

Sad to see the Museum was closed.

From What was the Long Island Automotive Museum?

Thanks Howard! The photos are wonderful. We are going LIMP exploring with maps and photos in hand. Just bought your LIMP book!
Sara

From Then & Now: The Jericho Turnpike Motor Parkway Bridge and the Mineola Lodge

George Arents Jr was 5th at The 24 hours of Le Mans race 1960, on a Nart Ferrari 250 GT SWB n° 18, #1931GT, with Alan Conell Jr!
Hervé

From Driver Profile: George Arents Jr.