Vanderbilt Cup Races

Rather than pretend I actually did some research, I’m attaching Walt McCarthy’s original blog post from July 21, 2010 which answers all the questions.

From Mystery Friday Foto #39 solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr's Sandy Hollow Fire department captain badge

I found the information right here on this website. It’s one of 50 captain’s badges that Austin Clark had made for his friends by a fire department badge supply company. He also had a chief’s badge made for himself, and a number of aluminum car badges.

From Mystery Friday Foto #39 solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr's Sandy Hollow Fire department captain badge

Good Sunday Morning, Howard,
I wonder how many of your readers/viewers are aware of an early automotive hill climb event which has taken place sporadically since 1909 at Newport, Indiana. Here is a link to Wikipedia with some brief information. This years event will take place this coming weekend. I attended the event with my young family in 1969 and have fond memories of the day. The uphill grade in Indiana appears to be more severe than that of the Port Jefferson Long Island event but is much shorter. We always enjoy your Sunday blogs. Stay safe and be well. Jonathan B. Richards II at Chesterfield, Missouri. THE LINK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport_Antique_Auto_Hill_Climb

From The Alco Black Beast will challenge the Port Jefferson Hill again next Saturday

Howard, Looks like you and Greg really enjoyed yourselves. It’s great that you are helping to keep Long island automotive history alive.

Long Island related automotive

From The Alco Black Beast will challenge the Port Jefferson Hill again next Saturday

Love all the comments, being a late bloomer in auto interest and living north of NYC
I missed out on all the good stuff, but appreciate Walt’s comments on some history.
Thank you!

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

The badge is from the imaginary fire department located at the Long Island Automotive Museum. The Chief was H Austin Clark who appointed many Captains and gave them each a badge.  There are many badges out there.  He had them made at a badge making company.

From Mystery Friday Foto #39 solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr's Sandy Hollow Fire department captain badge

Great job!  What a racing team!

From The Alco Black Beast will challenge the Port Jefferson Hill again next Saturday

From material provided by Walter McCarthey in a July 21, 2010 post on vanderbiltcuprace.com:

One of 50 captain’s badges ordered by Austin Clark Jr. to give to friends.  Clark’s LI Automobile Museum had a section devoted to fire engines.  The museum was located on a section of Southampton called Sandy Hollow.

Our good friend Walt Godsen also noted he had one.

Aluminum car badges also were made for Clark.

Article from the Southampton Press of Aug. 2, 1979.

Interesting, on one of my last visits to the museum (July 13, 2019) a current fire truck was stationed next to one of the original buildings.  Not sure what it was doing there. 

From Mystery Friday Foto #39 solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr's Sandy Hollow Fire department captain badge

Henry Austin Clark, captain of the non-existent Sandy Hollow Fire Dept.

From Mystery Friday Foto #39 solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr's Sandy Hollow Fire department captain badge

Sad, sad, sad… I remember going to the Clark Museum from back in the 50’s when my mother and I would go see her college friend in Bridgehampton..How that little kid loved those old cars (actually they weren’t as old 70+ years ago !!).

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

  Hi all
    I’ll take a guess at this one. Is it a badge from a Captain of the Sandy Hollow Fire Department in Sands Point Long Island? it’s time for bed and take care. Ted

From Mystery Friday Foto #39 solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr's Sandy Hollow Fire department captain badge

Austin Clark’s badge for his fantasy fire department named for the museum’s locality

From Mystery Friday Foto #39 solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr's Sandy Hollow Fire department captain badge

Here is a picture of my 1924 Cantrell bodied Suburban.  it is mostly original and the wood is all original, except for the back seat witch was added later.  I have a Question.  My windshield stations do not touch the roof of the car and the top is free to move side to side.  I have never seen another top like it.  Was that an option ?  Thanks, Mark

From From the Hugh Nutting Collection: Insight into the Woodies of Huntington's J.T. Cantrell and Company

I was there in about 1957? me about 12? still have the program, returned just before final closer.
I had asked some time ago on this website, was this the oldest vintage auto museum? Hey Walt, since you had known Austin them days, can help you help with this question?

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

This badge is from the Long Island Automotive Museum in Southampton.  These badges were owned and some were subsequently handed out by Henry Austin Clark Jr., so there were probably at least a few dozen in existence.  There were also cast aluminum vehicle badges associated with this badge.  An old fire truck at the museum tied it all together with the “Sandy Hollow Fire Department” painted on the side of it.  The truck was originally from Islip Terrance then bought by Sleepy Hollow and then returned back to Islip Terrace again.  So I guess the name “Sandy Hollow” is a combination of the sandy beaches of Southampton and Sleepy Hollow.

From Mystery Friday Foto #39 solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr's Sandy Hollow Fire department captain badge

Hi All:  Cut to the chase and take a look at the 7/21/2010 ‘s edition for about
90 % of today’s mystery photo.  It is quite the story in anyone’s lifetime
  Nice memories of the past go with this and thanks !!!
                  Be Well and Be Safe,  Ron Ridolph
                        s

From Mystery Friday Foto #39 solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr's Sandy Hollow Fire department captain badge

I have mixed feelings. The building was ugly and in disrepair. But I wish I could turn back time and visit the museum. My dad took my brothers and me out to the museum when we were little boys, but I don’t remember anything about the visit.

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

Please change the wording on our show,as it is also The Standard Car Shoew and Swap meet. Not only for Mopars. They have a section of their own that you must pre Reg for. I would appreciate your help with this thank you Dennis Manfredo. 516 241 9090 cell. call please

From Archives: Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society

Current owners ( I guess not Norsic now ) did an excellent job with the wood frame work, design is perfect. Then realized Art left several photos of the property here a couple of years ago, thank you Art.

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

Very fond memories of that museum. My father brought me there several times in the mid-1950’s “just to look around”. I still have the gum cards I purchased there around 1954.

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone