Vanderbilt Cup Races

Nice work on putting the archive room in order!

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina

This was an amazing behind-the-scenes. Keep up the good work !

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina

and here’s a follow-up to the numerous responses about getting a behind-the-scenes look at the archive room, if you have a Instagram, you can follow me and watch for my Instagram stories. I regularly post behind-the-scenes photos while working at the waterfront. my Instagram is : @hotrod_crazy hence why Greg gave me the very fitting nickname InstaGram

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina

I see Greg has a cool nickname for you, Gram : ) We’re all glad for you giving us a peek into the archives. Most of us haven’t seen the archives prior to this. This is a nice treat, thank you.

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina

Left to right could be Louis Chevrolet?; Willie K. Vanderbilt, Jr., referee; Reginald Vanderbilt (Willie K.’ s cousin and assistant referee); Elliot Shepherd?; Jefferson DeMont Thompson, Chairman of The Vanderbilt Cup Commission and Chairman of The AAA Racing Board. Photo was taken on October 6, 1906 on Jericho Turnpike in Westbury at the grandstand for the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race. Jackie Gleason based his character “Reginald Van Gleason III on Reginald Vanderbilt.

From Mystery Friday Foto #30 Solved : Five officials at the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

I was not expecting this many responses! Thank you everyone for the support and the heart warming comments!

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina

Great job Gram!  I’m so glad that I left the archives in such good hands - both yours and Greg’s.  It’s a dirty job (it can be) but someone’s got to do it.  I always considered it a work in progress.  And your passion comes thru in your work!  Keep at it - we all appreciate it very much.

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina

Gram it is so refreshing to see a young man like you doing this important work. Congratulations to you and to Howard and the rest of the team for preserving this history. Jerry and Rita Trapani

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina

I’m sure you have been a tremendous help to Howard. It’s nice to know you love the work and all of us in this hobby will benefit from your efforts Gram.

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina

Gram, you are a pleasure to work with. Keep up the great work! Howard

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina

Your organizational skills and assistance with the archives has been invaluable InstaGram!
Thanks for all you do!

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina

Great job! Gram may consider joining the Society of Automotive Historians and discussing his work. And, this archival experience can provide the foundation for many opportunities to enhance car culture.

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina

So excited AND PROUD OF YOU reading this Gram.

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina

Thank you for sharing.
Thanks to Howard for all he does for our hobby.

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina

Great story, great job
keep up the good work you doing

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina

I’ve been a bit curious of the Archives, so this a great introduction. Nice to meet you, Gram. We’ve seen great input from you and your Dad over the years on this site. Tending to the archives has to be interesting and fun for you, especially coming across new or unseen items.

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina

Great views of the PIT STOP!

From From the Helck Family Collection: Unpublished Photos from the 1908 Sweepstakes Races

One has to wonder if RM would have had reason to build the parkways - IOTW, if enough people would be driving distances east-west, if not for Motor Parkway making it clear for so many years what grade separated roads could do.  Or, at least, likely speeded up the demand for parkways.  But MP was, in a way, far better - it didn’t have non stop curves.

From The 1930's decline of the Motor Parkway

Here’s my best identification, based on VCR blogs—Photo from the October 6, 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race, with the Grandstand on Jericho Turnpike in Westbury, LI, NY, where this photo was taken.
(1) Far Left: Fred J. Wagner, Starter (although it doesn’t look a lot like Fred, the VCR site says it is at https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/the_residence_of_the_starter_of_five_vanderbilt_cup_races_rediscovered_in_s);
(2) William K. Vanderbilt, Jr., Referee;
(3) (his cousin) Reginald Vanderbilt, Associate Referee (?) unlisted in 1906 Program, grandfather of CNN’s Anderson Cooper and inspiration for Jackie Gleason’s “Reginald Van Gleason III;”
(4) A.G. Batchelder (?), Vanderbilt Cup Commission (also AAA Racing Board);
(5) Far Right, with binoculars: Col. Jefferson De Mont Thompson, Chairman of the Vanderbilt Cup Commission.

From Mystery Friday Foto #30 Solved : Five officials at the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Love this! So great to get a peek behind the scenes.

From The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina