About
The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day, and the first international automobile road races held in the United States. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways. This site provides comprehensive information on the races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and current Long Island automotive events, car shows and news.
All Content © 2026 VanderbiltCupRaces.com
Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
Nice to have all of this in one place. Keep up the good work!
From InstaGRAM Report: Videos and films archived on VanderbiltCupRaces.com
My last attempt failed. I hope this is the place to respond to Foto #43. The car is the Sir-Vival and it was built in 1958. The designer was Walter Jerome of Newton Ave. North in Worcester, MA. He had a company titled, Hollow Bearing. He displayed the car at the 1964 Worlds Fair in NY. The rear of the car is from a Hudson. The driver is separated from the passengers to avoid distractions. After Walter died, the car was stored in Bellingham, MA. When the Bellingham operation closed, the car was relocated to the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, TN.
From Mystery Friday Foto #43 Solved: The Unusual 1958 'Sir Vival' Concept Car
That’s the very unusual “SIR VIVAL” designed by Walter C. Jerome in 1958. Based on a 1948 Hudson Commodore, he believed that his articulated concept would improve safety by separating the engine compartment from the occupants in the event of a frontal collision. If you want to see it in person, take a road trip to the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, TN.
From Mystery Friday Foto #43 Solved: The Unusual 1958 'Sir Vival' Concept Car
This is a photo of a one-off safety designed concept vehicle created by Walter Jerome of Worcester, Ma. which he introduced in 1958. He began with a 1948 Hudson, highly modifying it into a two-piece articulated body and raising the roof to include an elevated glass enclosed drivers compartment. It was Mr. Jerome’s wish to create the world’s safest car. He designed the engine compartment as a separate articulated unit in an effort to reduce injuries and the threat of fire to the passenger compartment. A number of safety features currently in use today were incorporated into the design of this car, including air filled impact bumpers and adaptive/swiveling headlights. I find the “cyclops” type roof lamp similar to the center light used on the Tucker and the elevated driver’s compartment reminiscent of the Motorama transport vehicles. The car currently resides in the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tenn.
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From Mystery Friday Foto #43 Solved: The Unusual 1958 'Sir Vival' Concept Car
This last attachment is from a February 27th, 2015 edition of the Telegram and Gazetter. Lots of material on the internet about the car. And here is a video showing the car in action! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X16LxLUjmO8
From Mystery Friday Foto #43 Solved: The Unusual 1958 'Sir Vival' Concept Car
An interesting prototype to say the least!
From Mystery Friday Foto #43 Solved: The Unusual 1958 'Sir Vival' Concept Car
Continued documentation. Jerome felt the government’s safety standards for automobiles did not go far enough (he believed only steam engines should be built) and included what he thought was necessary in his prototype. After he stopped work on the Sir Vival (the prototype was the only one produced) Jerome began working on another experimental prototype in Plymouth, MA. Hmm, that’s going to lead me on another rabbit hole! The last attachment is the front page of the April, 1959 edition Mechanix Illustration which featured the Sir Vival. The next set of attachments is the full article.
From Mystery Friday Foto #43 Solved: The Unusual 1958 'Sir Vival' Concept Car
Lots of documentation for this mystery photo.
Year: 1958
Name: Sir Vival (aka “survival”)
Walter C. Jerome
Purpose: As one of my attached exhibits note: “to protect its driver and passengers from annihilation. Wow
Exist Today: Yes, in the Lane Motor Museum of Nashville.
From Mystery Friday Foto #43 Solved: The Unusual 1958 'Sir Vival' Concept Car
Great recap! Hope to witness the event in person next year.
From The Alco Black Beast successfully meets the challenge of the 2026 Port Jefferson Hill Climb
Looks like you had a perfect weather day for the Port Jefferson Hill Climb.
Great photos and videos
Well done Team ALCO
From The Alco Black Beast successfully meets the challenge of the 2026 Port Jefferson Hill Climb
Year: 1958
Name: Sir Vival
Designer/Builder: Walter C. Jerome, of Worcester, Massachusetts
Purpose of its design: Safety
Does it still exist? Yes, although it hasn’t run since the ‘64 World’s Fair. It is currently owned by the Lane Motor Museum of Nashville, which plans to restore it.
From Mystery Friday Foto #43 Solved: The Unusual 1958 'Sir Vival' Concept Car
Thanks Gram for these posts. I was amazed at how meticulous Peter was when creating his artwork for advertising when I reviewed the mountain of material when Howard first obtained it. There was so much I didn’t know where to start! Thanks for getting it organized so it can be shared.
From InstaGRAM Report: Peter Helck: Advertising and Art Part 3 - Packard and Mack Trucks
oh the date…..Sept 28, 1915
From Mystery Friday Foto #42 Solved: Driver Harry Grant
Harry Grant, winner of 1909-10 Vanderbilt Cups…...wearing the Maxwell kit it would appear that would be at Sheepshead Bay. In a practice session for the Astor Cup the car, I believe owned by Rickenbacher, caught alight and by the time Harry was extricated he had multiple burns. He succumbed to infection a few weeks later.
From Mystery Friday Foto #42 Solved: Driver Harry Grant
I’ve become a huge fan of this precious artwork. Love this ongoing feature and look forward to more.
From InstaGRAM Report: Peter Helck: Advertising and Art Part 3 - Packard and Mack Trucks
Looks to me like Howard and car and all company included had one of the most treasured car show experiences EVER. This is a life experience trophy for sure.
From Highlights of the 2026 Audrain Concours in Newport, Rhode Island Part 2
You should be on Jay show. You do have a great car collection
From Highlights of the 2026 Audrain Concours in Newport, Rhode Island Part 2
Very cool with Jay
From Highlights of the 2026 Audrain Concours in Newport, Rhode Island Part 2
Hi Art, I believe New Village is probably todays Village of Lake Grove. Centereach is nearby, but a Hamlet ( :
From Kleiner's Korner: 100 Years Ago - June, 1926 Motor Parkway News
Harry Grant in a Maxwell
Practicing for the 1915 Sheepshead Bay Astor Cup
Date of accident: Oct. 1, 1915
Date of race: October 7, 1915
Grant participated in the 1909 and 1910 VCRs, winning both and then raced in the 1911, 1914 and 1915 VCRs.
During a practice run, Grant’s car burst into flames and while initially surviving, he succumbed to his burns a few days later.
From Mystery Friday Foto #42 Solved: Driver Harry Grant
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