Vanderbilt Cup Races

Very interesting!  I was wondering who built the “Jay-Eye-See”, and then I spotted the J.I. Case Co. mention - much better known for its tractors, and other agricultural machinery.

From Kleiner's Korner: Speed Trials on the Long Island Motor Parkway

I just came across an original program book of the 1912 Vanderbilt cup race in Milwaukee. What is the current market for Vanderbilia ? Thank you

From Premium Vanderbilia Estimated Market Values

Hello again Mr. Kleiner:
Thanks for posting these three photo images at Greencastle , Putnam County , Indiana. Based on the automobiles in the second and third images I would guess the Sinclair station at about 1941 from the Ford parked at the far left pump. The street scene would appear to be about 1954 or possibly 1955 based on the cars parked round the Court House Square. Note the GM brand hearse parked at the right curb. Possibly a Flxible bodied Buick combination coach. Carefully examined photo images can tell us so much of the past. BYW the college at Greencastle is DePauw Universary , a well respected liberal arts college. Be well, Jonathan B. Richards II at Chesterfield, M:issouri.

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

HOWARD:  EXCELLENT ARTICLE ON THE HILL CLIMB AND AUSTI’E CLARKS PLAY TOYS. I WAS THERE ONCE A A KID, AND STILL REMEMBER IT.  AND STILL HAVE MY MODEL A AFTER 60 YEARS.  GREAT ENTERTAINMENT THIS WEEK.  ARTIE.

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

Austin Clark’s in his Chief T 1953

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

Jonathan,  I very much appreciate the kind words that you’ve written.  Thanks for your interest in vanderbiltcupraces.com and if there’s any other information I can provide you let me know.  I found these photos of Greencastle on the Putnam County Historical Site - thought you might like to view them if you haven’t already.
Art

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

Dear Mr. Kleiner:  Thank you so much for your response to my Comment yesterday on this wonderful blog. Your post of today confirms a great deal of the known history of this early automobile event at NEWPORT , Indiana which goes back to 1909. The newspaper article from the Greencastle, Indiana GREENCASTLE HERALD from July of 1910 is a marvelous find and shows your skill as an automotive archaeologist. I know the town of Greencastle very well. It is a beautiful college town just off the old U.S. 40 and had a Ford dealership which had been one of the early Indiana dealers circa 1909-1910. From that dealership I ordered and purchased a “company car” for my then employer. I should have checked out their parts bins as I suspect they had a treasure trove of old Ford parts stashed up in the rafters. My apologies to readers but at 86 years of age my old mind wanders back to what seems in retrospect to have been a more sane and understandable time. Best wishes, Jonathan Richards.

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

Jonathan, Thank you for the info. on the early and current Newark IN Hill Climbs.  I’m including the link to the website so others may take a look.  https://www.newporthillclimb.com/

And here is an article from the July 2, 1910 edition of the Greencastle Herald discussing the second hill climb to be held in Newark.  There is a mention of the first climb being held the previous year.  Thanks again for your comment.

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

Great research and photos!

From Greg O's Garage: A section of Motor Parkway in Bethpage rediscovered

Mystery Foto #39…This is an honorary Fire Captain’s badge awarded to his friends by Henry Austin Clark back in the 50’s or 60’s. This one may have belonged to Walter McCarthy. Austin had 50 captains badges made up for his pals and one Fire Chief badge for himself. Clearly, the one shown here is not the only one.

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

The badge is from an officer ( Captain) from the Sandy Hook FD. The badge was from the kate 1o00- 1910s

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

Another brass era car that entered in the event was a 1911 Hupmobile 20 owned by Parker and Gwen Ackley of Fairfield CT. In the photo taken by me at the 2019 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance they are on the right side. Last year event the Hupmobile conked out part way up the hill, was able pull over. Parker explained the carb. needed some adjustment and something else. So, this event he went up the hill but stopped again, OH NO! afterward he explained, had pick up his Gwen been taken photos then continued on the whole way back. Asked where’s your trailer, nope, use the Ferry nearby and a short drive to and from Fairfield. NICE!

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

This is a badge made by Austin Clark, the founder of the LI Automotive museum in South Hampton
I assume he was the original owner.
Apparently, he made over 50 other Captains’ badges for his friends and a Chief badge for himself

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

It takes a gentleman to control the beast!

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

Hi Love the newsletter. I think this is the old badge for the now North Sea Fire Department which is in Southampton Town. The old Southampton car museum, mentioned in this issue, was it this fire house’s district. Thanks

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

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