Vanderbilt Cup Races

Frank, There is a picture of a Parkway paper season ticket in the Spring 2000 issue of Long Island Forum magazine. Your library most likely has a copy in their reference section.

From Greg O's Garage: The 1930 Motor Parkway license plate/season ticket holders Part I

I recognize the Foto as an aerial of the Southern State Parkway during its widening. The photographer is in North Valley Stream, looking west. The original parkway (lower left), with E-bound and W-bound lanes now separated by a concrete barrier, became the E-bound parkway, while the new roadway became the W-bound parkway.

The widening project started in 1954, so the Foto must have been taken then, or shortly thereafter.

I recognize Fletcher Avenue (overpass, bottom of Foto) and Greenway Boulevard (right), but not any other roads. Central Avenue would be in the distance, but I can’t see it.

The toll booths on the wide future median are what actually gave it away for me. I was unaware that they were built during the widening project, but I remember when they were there. My dad used to use Greenway Boulevard to bypass the toll. I also remember when the tolls were removed (and a sign was erected that read: “Welcome to Long Island / Toll Free / Mario Cuomo, Governor”).

From Mystery Friday Foto #51 Solved: Widening of the Southern State Parkway near the toll booths around 1954

J Dixon Byrne-
I think I might have commented to you previously. Here is the original county records with costs on your home from 1955 at 25 Crabapple.
-Greg O.

From Greg O's Garage: Clarence Mackay's Harbor Hill estate in Roslyn (now East Hills)

Been following info on the Mackay Estate since childhood. Lived at 25 Crabapple Drive. About 1955. First owners. Original home demolished. It was one of the first built. Played thru out the woods. Wrote a sci-fi screenplay the adventures of seven children transported back in time to the night the of Wales visited Clarence. Thx for the research.

From Greg O's Garage: Clarence Mackay's Harbor Hill estate in Roslyn (now East Hills)

This is great! A lot of prominent figures of the time.

The fundamental problem with LIMP is it was part of a massive one upping contest (by the Vanderbilt grandchildren) that squandered the Vanderbilt fortune that Cornelius and William Henry worked so hard to create. Massive disrespect to their sacrifices.

Yet this is a topic rarely discussed—how come?

From Greg O's Garage: The 1930 Motor Parkway license plate/season ticket holders Part I

Wow! 50$ in 1930 is equivalent to about 833$ today. Al, I’m assuming the paper ticket was proof of purchase and kept in the vehicle at all times. Please clarify. Any photos available of such paper ticket? Great details as always, thanks!

From Greg O's Garage: The 1930 Motor Parkway license plate/season ticket holders Part I

Greg, To make things a little clearer regarding the Season Ticket purchase. The term is a little misleading as it was good for a given calendar year. For most of the Parkway’s existence the cost of such a ticket was around $50.00. The purchaser received a small paper ticket and one plate. If an addition plate was requested ( with the same number) it cost the buyer an additional 25 cents.

From Greg O's Garage: The 1930 Motor Parkway license plate/season ticket holders Part I

I love the show!  But I don’t remember this great episode - it’s neat to see a Tucker out and about! 

There are famous people who are actually decent, and interesting!

From Video of the Week: The episode of Jay Leno's Garage that really had an impact on my life

All couple reasons to deny that something historic exists still; to avoid attracting trespassers, to avoid historic or like designations that in some places prevent demolitions.

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

I had the pleasure of driving MG TF9052 in 2013. Sadly, Ken passed away not long after that. I spoke with a nephew last year about the car and it was being offered at auction, but he did not have any details. I don’t know who has the car now.

From Update Mystery Friday Foto #24: The 1955 MG TF-1500 #9052's owner in 2000.

Lotus 72. ...
Porsche 959 Dakar. ...
Chaparral 2J. ...
Audi Sport Quattro SWB. ...
Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan. ...
Peugeot 208 T16. ...
Porsche 956. ...

From From the Gary Faules Collection: Drivers and Race Cars from the 1915 Vanderbilt Cup Races

The Bugatti was stored in a garage near the water in Stony Brook in 1944 and was flooded by that years hurricane.  It was red.  The friend was in the army and when he came home was told the car was scrapped due to the flooding.

From Greg O's Garage: The 1930 Motor Parkway license plate/season ticket holders Part I

That’s great Gary! Didn’t know the Guldens were Long Islanders. My only claim to fame is growing up friends with the Fox family in Great Neck. They were responsible for Fox’s U-Bet.

From Greg O's Garage: The 1930 Motor Parkway license plate/season ticket holders Part I

Greg, There were two categories of plate holders. The Season Ticket purchasers and the Official Pass receivers. This group did not pay to use the Parkway, they included political figures, Police officials, Fire Chiefs, etc. Remember, the Parkway ran thru several different municipal jurisdictions.
Toll collectors could tell who was who because of the numbering system. For example, in 1928 plates numbered between 1000-2000 were reserved for Pass holders and in 1929 Pass holders received plates numbered between 700 and 900. I member seeing at least one list at the Vanderbilt Museum headed pass holders Hope this helps.

From Greg O's Garage: The 1930 Motor Parkway license plate/season ticket holders Part I

What happened was sad, and perhaps stupid, but I had to laugh a little at the For Sale sign in the car window.

From Mystery Friday Foto #49 Solved:The 1958 Airplane/Three Car Crash on the Southern State Parkway

The Rolls Royce, being right hand drive, would appear to be Derby, not Springfield.  Beautiful car even though I have a personal preference for the latter (with the American ‘pipe’ bumpers and ‘drum’ headlights.  P1’s were and are wonderful cars, with superb engineering, IMHO.

From Greg O's Garage: Long Island Motor Parkway Plates mounted on vehicles

While I’ve known of the yacht, it’s still a great story, nice piece of film, and of Long Island history.

From Video of the Week: The Vanderbilt Museum presents Moments in History: The Alva, A Ship for Seven Seas

Extensive and interesting list Greg, nice work!

From Greg O's Garage: The 1930 Motor Parkway license plate/season ticket holders Part I

Mark,

The Vanderbilt associated with the Vanderbilt Cup Races of 1936 and 1937 was Willie K’s nephew George Washington Vanderbilt III: https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/races/year/1936_vanderbilt_cup_race

From Greg O's Garage: The Tragic Death of William K. Vanderbilt lll

Tragic end. I guess it wasn’t him that resurrected the Vanderbilt cup race at Fortunoff Source Mall in the late 30’s?

From Greg O's Garage: The Tragic Death of William K. Vanderbilt lll