About
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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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
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Recent Comments
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
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
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