Vanderbilt Cup Races

As always, great info Art. Funny how the LIMP is described as the old motor parkway in 1917. Only 9 yrs old then, and didn’t extend to Horace Harding Blvd yet lol. Remember reading here and there that the need for highways was originally intended ( still now really ) for military purposes. Wether it’s military, law enforcement and emergencies; we make clear for those vehicles that require quick passage.

From Kleiner's Korner: The Motor Parkway's Contribution to Military War Games

From Greg O.

Art-
Here’s a bit more on Sperry’s ‘Flying bomb’ from a post 11 years ago.

https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/the_role_of_the_motor_parkway_in_the_development_of_the_cruise_missile

From Kleiner's Korner: The Motor Parkway's Contribution to Military War Games

First photo is from the Long Island Automotive Musuem program, the second is from the Harrah’s Automobile Collection flyer.

From Mystery Friday Foto #52: Solved; The 1907 Thomas Flyer in the Snow

This looks like the Thomas Flyer posed on the carriage roads at Mohonk Mountain House.

From Mystery Friday Foto #52: Solved; The 1907 Thomas Flyer in the Snow

It is the 1907 Thomas Flyer.  It won the New York to Paris race.  The driver was George Schuster.  The car was for some years in Austin Clark’s collection in Southampton.

From Mystery Friday Foto #52: Solved; The 1907 Thomas Flyer in the Snow

As pointed out, collector/historians like Howard with the money and desire to share are a rare treasure.  Visited Howard’s emporium in Roslyn.  Same applies to Rob Ida and his crew.  I would trust them with any project they were willing to take on.  Visited their shop in Morganville.

From InstaGRAM Report: Rob Ida Shares the Tucker 1044 Restoration Backstory

George Schuster

From Mystery Friday Foto #52: Solved; The 1907 Thomas Flyer in the Snow

1908 New York to Paris Winner

From Mystery Friday Foto #52: Solved; The 1907 Thomas Flyer in the Snow

1907 Thomas Flyer

From Mystery Friday Foto #52: Solved; The 1907 Thomas Flyer in the Snow

James, Eddie Murray - the newspaper aerial indicate body location “X” just north of today’s 67Av and just feet east off the Motor Pkwy, in the wooded area beyond the parkway posts (red circle below). This area is the beginning of the ascent towards the 73Av (Black Stump Rd) bridge located just to the south. The North Hemp Tpke bridge doesn’t exist anymore

A safe and healthy 2024 to all!

From Murder on the Motor Parkway!

Though with out hard evidence, the Sawmill may have been linked to the Wheeler Brothers that owned land near the parkway.

It’ll be 2024 tomorrow, Happy New Year All!

From Murder on the Motor Parkway!

I have to correct myself, “north Hempstead tpk “ is 73ave as you can see the motor parkway bridge crossing over, the body would’ve been found south of 73ave &  east of the motor parkway most likely where present day Francis Lewis Blvd is.

From Murder on the Motor Parkway!

I love reading true crime! I figure this happened in the area of St Francis prep/or across Francis Lewis Blvd and a little south of the school, in the park area.

From Murder on the Motor Parkway!

One of my K-12 classmates had an uncle who nearly became a Tucker dealer in Hillsdale, Michigan. His family remembers having the use of a Tucker for a few days. No one seems to remember the color to better figure out which one it was.

From InstaGRAM Report: Rob Ida Shares the Tucker 1044 Restoration Backstory

We enjoy the wardrobe and the correct use of the horse drawn carriages. Many period productions do not go to the extent of researching that aspect. Many of our friends can be seen riding or driving and we would be there with them if we could. The proper settings, superb acting and attention to detail is what attracts us to the show and we look forward to more seasons.

From Collider.com: The Real-Life Socialite Who Inspired 'The Gilded Age's Bertha Russell

Mystery Foto #52:  The photo is of the Thomas Flyer during the 1908 New York to Paris race. Montague Roberts was the driver in this photo probably taken during a blizzard that the race went through from western New York to Chicago.  Roberts who finished 5th in the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup race left this race in Wyoming with his place being taken by George Schuster who went on to win in Paris.  Here is another photo taken at the same time as the Mystery Foto along with a booklet that the Thomas Co. put out and books by three of the race drivers, Schuster, Scarfoglio and Koeppen..

From Mystery Friday Foto #52: Solved; The 1907 Thomas Flyer in the Snow

History of the Thomas Race . . .

From Mystery Friday Foto #52: Solved; The 1907 Thomas Flyer in the Snow

Thomas Flyer
1908 New York - Paris Race: after numerous mishaps, adventures and extensions the car won the race, arriving in Paris July 30, 1908.
While Montague Roberts started the race, much of it was raced by George Schuster.
Roberts drove in the 1905 and 1906 American Eliminated Races, but never in the actual Vanderbilt Cup Race.  The car was eventually auctioned off in 1913. 

Documents from the Detroit Public Library Digital Collection and vanderbiltcupraces.com

From Mystery Friday Foto #52: Solved; The 1907 Thomas Flyer in the Snow

Some more research should be done on Mary Williams the first female lodgekeeper. I had heard she ran an after hours speakeasy and “club” after the Volstead act was passed. Neighboring farmers were supposedly complaining to the local police about the late-nite ruckus and noise coming from the property. Eventually they stopped complaining when she invited them into the “parties”. It can’t be verified bu5 makes for a good backstory.

From Mystery Friday Foto #51; Snow on the Meadow Brook Motor Parkway Lodge

Montaque Robert’s driving the Thomas Flyer
in the 1906 race around the world which as
America’s entrant won the race.

From Mystery Friday Foto #52: Solved; The 1907 Thomas Flyer in the Snow