Vanderbilt Cup Races

Imagining the conversation between them lol. Hey Dad, you want to work together in Construction? Well, I don’t know Son. My specialty is Tailoring. What the heck, let’s give it go! But yes, Dad started too late for building roads. But quality time spent : )

From Kleiner's Korner: A Father and Son Connection to The Motor Parkway and Camp Upton

Old 16 winning the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Peter Helck
Old 16, 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race, George Robertson
Esquire Magazine
Peter is the grandson of George Robertson - thanks for sharing Peter!

From Mystery Friday Foto #5 Solved: A Mystery Racing Painting of George Robertson in 'Old 16'

Yes Al.  But he certainly did some work on the Parkway in some manner and used that experience as he developed hus career.  That was my point.

From Kleiner's Korner: A Father and Son Connection to The Motor Parkway and Camp Upton

The painting’s title is “Robertson Comes Through” by by Peter Helck. It depicts a scene fom the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race with George Robertson driving the “Old 16” Locomobile. Originally commisioned for a 1944 issue of ESQUIRE magazine, it later was used on the dust jacket of Peter Helck’s book “The Checkered Flag”. Peter Shriver is George Robertson’s grandson.

From Mystery Friday Foto #5 Solved: A Mystery Racing Painting of George Robertson in 'Old 16'

“Robertson Comes Through”
Peter Helck
10/24/1908 Fourth Vanderbilt Cup race on Long Island, won by Geroge Robertson
George Robertson
Locomobile “Old 16”
1944 Peter Helck created a series of famous paintings depicting the thrill of auto racing for Esquire Magazine.
This painting was the cover of Peter Helck’s book The Checkered Flag.

From Mystery Friday Foto #5 Solved: A Mystery Racing Painting of George Robertson in 'Old 16'

Art, Could not find a record of employment of a Miller in the few Parkway payroll records I have of that time.  Note the article does not say Rodney Miller was an employee of the Parkway.  Perhaps he worked for the contractor of the Motor Parkway Inn,  maybe for the builder of the Parkway ROW in that part of Suffolk County. I know its a stretch but he might have been hired by the Andrew Brothers Construction Company of Mineola who were oiling that part of the Parkway in 1911. All three possibilities fit the time frame of the March 29, 1912 article.

From Kleiner's Korner: A Father and Son Connection to The Motor Parkway and Camp Upton

Here’s Willie K.‘s 1912 NY registration for the 31665 plate on the car in the photo.

From Mystery Friday Foto #4 Solved: A Mystery ALCO Touring Car

A fun/happy feeling - especially when I couldn’t sleep!  Dana has the gift and spirit!
Ann

From Song of the Week:Lyric Video “Along” by Dana Kyle Kroplick

My dad was stationed at Camp Upton for awhile before transferring to the 101st.

From Kleiner's Korner: A Father and Son Connection to The Motor Parkway and Camp Upton

Nice work. Great Motor Pkwy discussion thanks to Al, Greg, and Gerry! Much details were revealed in a limited amount of airtime. Hoping to hear more in the future of Motor Parkway’s operations and its influence on early Long Island

From Greg O. and Al Velocci discuss the Long Island Motor Parkway on LI News Radio 103.9 FM

My guess is that it is a circa 1909 Alco with a sporty body. It clearly has the Berliet style wheel hubs (the text unfortunately unreadable), but the radiator filler tube is already American style. The cover in front of the rear wheels is only for the front part of the rear springs, no sign of a chain. The engine seems to a 6 cylinder, judging by the length of the hood. Interesting are the front wings, which remind of the wings used on the 1905 Mercedes racers.
On the basis of my information I do not believe that the car was a former race car, but I cannot exclude that.

From Mystery Friday Foto #4 Solved: A Mystery ALCO Touring Car

Elements of its interior seem quite similar and striking with impact like that of my 62 T Bird but the body seems dated in comparison to the 61 to 63 “banana” bird. Not a bad thing just different and a bit more bulky.
I’d best a best bet for a salvaged discovery is in proximity to the numerous hot Rod and custom shops scattered through Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena. Gram should alert his childhood connections for any info on current whereabouts.

From Update 1/27/26: Eureka- The 1962 Ford Cougar 406 Concept Car has been found!

William K. Vanderbilt in his 1911 Alco six.  It was delivered in raceabout form. After about a year, he had it rebodied to his own design.

From Mystery Friday Foto #4 Solved: A Mystery ALCO Touring Car

1912 Alco custom model 6.
Connection: Modeled by Willie K. Vanderbilt, Jr. after Alco’s raced in the Vanderbilt Cup Races.  Both attached articles are from 1912.

From Mystery Friday Foto #4 Solved: A Mystery ALCO Touring Car

I think that might be a 1910/1911 ALCO Custom “Tourabout” which was built on an ALCO racer chassis. Rumor has it that it was custom ordered by Willie K. and was delivered in 1912.

From Mystery Friday Foto #4 Solved: A Mystery ALCO Touring Car

If you watch the embedded video, there is a few segments from Roosevelt Field, just not the circus event from the mystery photo. Leads me to believe that this was more than just an ‘advertisement’ and they actually had a ‘studio’ within the hangar.

From Mystery Friday Foto #3 Solved: A Busy Curtiss Flying Field

Ernie-
According to a little research by Al Velocci and myself, Fox News was Fox Movietone News who were in their peak filming sporting events in the 20’s and 30’s. Why on the hangar is unclear if it was simply advertising or they had some type of ‘office’ in the hangar.
I did do a search to see if there was any film of this event but there was nothing I found in their archives which is now held at the University of South Carolina.

From Mystery Friday Foto #3 Solved: A Busy Curtiss Flying Field

Frank - I just finished listening to the interview.  I listened by clicking the link provided above on my mac rather than on the radio.

Greg, Al - nice job.

From Greg O. and Al Velocci discuss the Long Island Motor Parkway on LI News Radio 103.9 FM

Was looking forward to hearing Al and Greg tonight but the air wave was hijacked. Howard, please post the recorded interview if possible.
Thanks,
Frank

From Greg O. and Al Velocci discuss the Long Island Motor Parkway on LI News Radio 103.9 FM

Thanks for an opposing viewpoint Al!  All views are accepted, with reasoning behind them.

From Kleiner's Korner: Motor Parkway News of the Final Month of 1925