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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.
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Recent Comments
We are facing west with the 73rd ave (black stump rd) bridge in the lower center of the picture. The second Motor Parkway feature in the photo is the North Hempstead Turnpike bridge shown on the far right. Francis Lewis blvd runs parallel to the parkway here. In the foreground is Cunningham Park but it looks like its a bit of a mess still. No ballfields yet. I can’t find the Long Island Expressway in the picture so I’m going to guess the date to be between 1950 to 1955.
From Mystery Foto #38 Solved: A 1951 aerial of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadow, Queens
Frank, In 1926 there were plans to build another horse racing track along the Motor Parkway. That year the Queens Jockey Club announced it had purchased some 270 acres for that purpose from the Stewart Heirs about 4 miles east of Hempstead Village. Newspapers of the day reported the acreage was bound by the Motor Parkway on the north and the Central Railroad on the south, Both Vanderbilt and the Railroad would have loved to seen that happen.
From Kleiner's Korner: Assorted Maps of the Motor Parkway
I bought the photo and letter on EBay years ago- my family is Cuneo- from NY metro area- maybe some relative?
From The continuing story of Joan Newton Cuneo: "Those daring young (wo)men in their racing machines"
Art, amazing maps loaded with information. The break west of Springfield Blvd possibly a failure to depict the LIMP jug at Bell Blvd, where LIMP utilized the abandoned CRR platform for their intended purposes. Below is the LIMP jug over Bell Blvd
From Kleiner's Korner: "NY Daily News" Maps of the Motor Parkway (1929-1937)
Queens, looking towards Manhattan. LIMP Bridge over 73rd Ave. Francis Lewis Blvd is the main road parallel to the LIMP. From left to right, and you would be heading north. The western end of the LIMP is up to the north.
From Mystery Foto #38 Solved: A 1951 aerial of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadow, Queens
Art, the 1927 Nostrand Map is approximating Belmont Race Track pre Cross Isl Pkwy. It’s been the only racetrack in that area since opening in 1905
From Kleiner's Korner: Assorted Maps of the Motor Parkway
Hello Art,
Great posts with all of the maps. I love looking at old maps as much as you do. The answer to the road connecting Ronkonkoma and Sayville on the May, 1915 “The Club Journal” map is a combination of several roads starting with Rosevale Ave. then Pond Road, then Lakeland Ave. and finally Railroad Ave. in Sayville. There was a mystery photo back in September 2013 showing the Kensington Hotel on the N/E corner of Railroad Ave. & Main St. with a direction sign for the LIMP pointing north. When are you coming back to L. I. ?
From Kleiner's Korner: Assorted Maps of the Motor Parkway
Love that 1929 Time map as well!
Listing the estates/owners and the mention of building the ‘world’s longest bridge’ ie The Geo. Washington Br is very cool!
From Kleiner's Korner: Assorted Maps of the Motor Parkway
Who is the rear tire manufacturer and what is the tire size. Also how wide are the rear wheels? I really like the flat side wall look, that’s what I’m going for on my 31 coupe!
Beautiful car, can’t get enough of it. Going for this kind of build with my car!!!
Thanks.
Ryan G
From MotorTrend: This Retro-Modern ’32 Ford Was Built by Preston Tucker’s Great-Grandsons
It’s a minor point, but I believe that PS 162 opened in 1937. I was a student there when it celebrated its 25th anniversary.
From The Western Terminus of the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows Circa 1938
Quite possibly the birth of front wheel drive, used extensively today
From Mystery Foto #37 Solved: #9 50-HP Christie Touring Car at the Hairpin Turn during the 1906 American Elimination Trial
The turn at Wheatly Road onto Westbury Ave.
From Mystery Foto #37 Solved: #9 50-HP Christie Touring Car at the Hairpin Turn during the 1906 American Elimination Trial
From Greg O.
Felice Nazzaro driving the #8 FIAT during a practice run on the Westbury Hairpin turn.
The 50 H.P. Christie as shown from the 1906 Elimination scorecard
From Mystery Foto #37 Solved: #9 50-HP Christie Touring Car at the Hairpin Turn during the 1906 American Elimination Trial
From Greg O.
The 4 cylinder Christie he wrecked during practice which caused him to use his smaller 50 H.P. for the Elimination Trials and Race.
The American Elimination Trials program and score card
From Mystery Foto #37 Solved: #9 50-HP Christie Touring Car at the Hairpin Turn during the 1906 American Elimination Trial
Thanks.
From Kleiner's Korner: "NY Daily News" Maps of the Motor Parkway (1929-1937)
This is a 1906 Christie #17 race car driven by Walter Christie in the 1906 Vanderbilt cup race on October 6th, 1906. The car finished 13th when the race was called. The location in the picture looks like the “hairpin turn” at Wheatley rd and Old Westbury rd. The photographer is facing north.
From Mystery Foto #37 Solved: #9 50-HP Christie Touring Car at the Hairpin Turn during the 1906 American Elimination Trial
The break in the LIMP west of Springfield Blvd is about where Bell or Hollis Court Blvds run north and south beneath the parkway.
From Kleiner's Korner: "NY Daily News" Maps of the Motor Parkway (1929-1937)
The Long Island Volkswagen Club
is pleased to announce that we will be celebrating our
21st Annual All VW Show
Celebrating 25 Years of The Long Island Volkswagen Club
on Sunday, September 24, 2023
(Rain date Sunday, October 1, 2023)
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Hosted by
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1521 Old Country Road Riverhead, NY 11901
From Upcoming November Automotive Events
I think that’s J. Walter Christie driving his stripped down 50 HP Touring Car in the 1906 American Elimination Trial, on September 22, 1906. He had crashed his racer in a test run the day before. I think the photographer is facing north or slightly north-east as Christie is turning on to Old Westbury Road at the hairpin turn in Old Westbury. Christie finished fifth, qualifying him for that year’s Vanderbilt Cup Race.
From Mystery Foto #37 Solved: #9 50-HP Christie Touring Car at the Hairpin Turn during the 1906 American Elimination Trial
Walter Christie, 50 hp front-wheel drive Christie (#9). Replacement car for the original one that crashed in a practice run.
Hairpin Turn - Wheatley and Old Westbury Roads, Old Westbury
Since the racers made the turn and headed west, I would say the photographer was situated on the corner looking northeast.
1906 American Elimination Race, Sept. 22, 1906
Finished 5th.
Original photo and description from the Detroit Public Library Digital Collections.
From Mystery Foto #37 Solved: #9 50-HP Christie Touring Car at the Hairpin Turn during the 1906 American Elimination Trial
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