Vanderbilt Cup Races

Love the new banner on the website!

From Cradle of Aviation to Host Vanderbilt Race Centennial Exhibit in October

Hello
In one of your pictures of Vanderbilt cup races you show a Christie car No17 as being the 1906 car is this correct? as I thought that the 1906 Christie was the first V4 racer can you confirm which is correct please.
i am in the process of writing an article for a car club magazine on J Walter Christie

Cheers for now

Denis

From Was the "Man in the Leopard Coat" the Inspiration for Jay Gatsby?

Hi Tom:

I had no idea. Many high-society spectators and friends of the Vanderbilts wore their lastest fashions at the races.

Howard

From Was the "Man in the Leopard Coat" the Inspiration for Jay Gatsby?

Is that the largest sting ray ever? wow.

From Film "William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Eagle Nest Home"

Who did you originally think it was? Otherwise great to hear and identify the actual person. That is some coat!

From Was the "Man in the Leopard Coat" the Inspiration for Jay Gatsby?

Hi Larry:

How many cards do you have?

Howard

From Postcards from the Long Island Automotive Museum (#1-6)

what are these cards worth?

From Postcards from the Long Island Automotive Museum (#1-6)

I have the whole card collection and would like to sell please inform.  Thank you

From Postcards from the Long Island Automotive Museum (#1-6)

Simeone show is October 16 & 17 http://eleganceofspeed.com/

http://www.simeonefoundation.org/

From The Ronkonkoma Lodge in 1930

Wonderful piece of detective work, Howard.  Great fun!

ROBERT

From Was the "Man in the Leopard Coat" the Inspiration for Jay Gatsby?

Great post, Interesting topic.

From Film "William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Eagle Nest Home"

Hi Roger:
Thanks for the information. I have included details above.

Enjoy,

Howard

From News Updates and Long Island Car Shows & Events Schedule

Hi Andy:

I will post a Then and Now on the Ronkonkoma Lodge next week.

When is the Simeone automobilia show?

Enjoy,

Howard

From The Ronkonkoma Lodge in 1930

Hi John:

Thanks for the comment and feedback.

You are correct that was the Motor Parkway!

Enjoy,

Howard

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

From John J:

Howard, love your site. I grew up in Mineola a little to the west of that house on Rudolf Road in Mineola. When we were kids we spent ton of ime in the late 50s and early 60s playing under the LILCO wires which i believe was also part of the Parkway. When you cross Jericho Tpke and head south the right of way straddles Mineola and Carle Place and takes you to Westbury Avenue and eventually to Old Country Road.

Once again great site and I have your book

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

Thank you for posting. I see the ruins of the building when I pass there. I also remember the museum when it was in operation. As of 1961 I remember :
They gave us a fire truck ride through the back lot area.
There was an unrestored Packard Roadster sitting on the open area of the yard which I sat in. I remember the “pull daily” lubricating handle on the lower left.
A set of Fifth Avenue Busses.
recently acquired 1909 Thomas Flyer
1929 Maroon Pierce Arrow roadster
1933 Silver Pierce Silver Arrow
A 1911 Brush Truck
The Camp Devens Express truck
A curved dash runabout above the front entrance
An Hispano Suiza roadster
A Stutz racer
A Mercer racer
and more..I still have the stack of post cards. We bought a model of the 1912 Packard Landaulet, and I have two post cards of it, a photo and an artist’s rendition. They also sold artists renditions of various cars. The renditions can still be acquired on Ebay, and some are reproductions which are worth having. The interest in the cars is present in those works.

This was a different age. When you entered the museum you knew it was managed by people who knew what to collect and how to display it. The time was the recent past they were displaying, so the experiences of those people were fresh, and clear and present in the museum. What can we enthusiasts do to save the old building? I would be willing to contribute.

From What was the Long Island Automotive Museum?

Howard,
I don’t know if it’s too late, but on Sunday, Sept. 19th, there’s the Smithtown Heritage Country Fair held in the historic area of Smithtown, just east of route 111 on Middle Country Road (Route 25).
We expect antique and classic cars, as well as the antique truck club to be in attendance.
Thanks.
Roger

From News Updates and Long Island Car Shows & Events Schedule

Howard,
A few months back I took a ride to the eastern end of the current motor parkway - right up to the lake - looking for any signs of the old Ronkonkoma lodge.  Nothing jumped out at me.  Any chance you can pinpoint the exact location on a google earth map for me? Maybe some then and now pics too?

As always, thanks for providing so much interesting information and photos about the VC races and Long Island.

Will you be at the Simeone museum for the Elegance of Speed automobilia show?  Hope to see you and the Black Beast again!

Keep your speed up!
Andy

From The Ronkonkoma Lodge in 1930

Interesting that Willy K. and de Dion traveled from Beaulieu to Monte Carlo. Is this the same Beaulieu in England that has the annual auto jumble (car parts swap meet)? I was there in 2003 and purchased a pair of “pigs ears” turn signal lights for my 1955 Dellow Mk. V which has just come out of restoration.

From Willie K.'s Cars #1: The 1900 23-HP Daimler "White Ghost"

From Penny H:

Thank you so much for posting the information on the web site about the above car. Mystery solved.  Was really impressed with the wealth of photos of the car on course. Really enjoyed the posting.

Keep up the good work.

Penny

From A Tour of the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course with the #14 FIAT