Vanderbilt Cup Races

WOW!~ seeing these excerpts reminded me how Pietro Tesio was on the cutting edge of all that and how his fascination for technology shaped his vision of the world. Thanks for posting, Howard!

From Greg O's Garage: The first Automobile Publication; The Horseless Age Part 3

Levittown. The photographer is facing northeast. The Wantagh Parkway runs along bottom of photo and Hempstead Tpke is running east/west. Division Ave High School is just above center of photo and Village Green is visible. This picture was probably taken sometime between 1949 and 1953. LIMP ROW is running east/west towards the top.

From Mystery Friday Foto #25 Solved: A 1949 Fairchild Aerial Survey over Levittown

I remember noticing the slope along the west side of the LIMP extending into the backyards of Bell Terrace, the rise towards the former Westbury Ave bridge. Figured this section was offered to the homes initially, like in Garden City & Williston Park. Encroaching is significant north of the sump, maybe those homes weren’t approached by the town? Hopefully, the square foot cost was negotiated lower. Now I know why the east side of the ROW always looked eroded, became a washout plain.

From Kleiner’s Korner: Nassau County Surveys of Motor Parkway Property Transferred or Released (Mineola)

Howard,

Sorry about the loss of your friend and the impact it will have as collectors.  Thank you for sharing Fred’s values..

Mark Thomas

From Update: Sad news- The loss of a hero- Dr. Fred Simeone

These were fun cars and an affordable Sports Car fop America. i wanted one since I was 14. I bought a 1951 TD for my college daily driver in 1960. It is still out in my car barn. In 1961 I painted it BRG and added wire wheels plus got a new factory top from Al Moss. In 1966 I did more restoration work and painted it Old English White.

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

Ah, Levittown. Northwest over Levittown to be exact.  Wantagh Parkway runs across the bottom of the photo.  Hempstead Turnpike diagonally through the center.  Motor Parkway across the top in front of the still existing aviation country club.  Division Ave High School, the north village green, and the lot that would become the mays shopping center are all in the photo.  The photo is 1948 based on the fact that division school is built(1948) but the aviation club has yet to become blacksmith lane. It closed in 1948.  I suppose it could possibly early 1949 but no later.

From Mystery Friday Foto #25 Solved: A 1949 Fairchild Aerial Survey over Levittown

Interesting info, Greg.  Your comment regarding Robert Moses is applicable to the last paragraph in that article next to it.  One of the deficiencies in Moses’ plans was his position not to give public transportation the same emphasis as the automobile - as stated in the last paragraph those that needed transportation the most were neglected as highways and expressways were being developed for the automobile.

From Greg O's Garage: The first Automobile Publication; The Horseless Age Part 3

Very interesting to read, it had to start somewhere,,,

From Kleiner's Korner: Preparing the Horse for the Automobile (Part 2)

The photographer is over Levittown, looking northeast. That’s the Wantagh State Parkway at the bottom, and Hempstead Turnpike is the straight road that cuts the diagonal from bottom left to top right. I see the Division Avenue School at top center. Motor Parkway ROW is at the extreme top left, and the Central Rail Road a few blocks south of that.

Photo must have been taken between 1948 and 1955, because the Division Avenue School does not have its north wing. It became a high school in 1955.

From Mystery Friday Foto #25 Solved: A 1949 Fairchild Aerial Survey over Levittown

This is a picture of Levittown.  The photographer is facing northeast hovering over the Wantagh parkway which is at the bottom of the picture.  Hempstead tpke runs from the bottom left to the top right of the photo.  In the top left area of this picture the undeveloped land is the Long Island Aviation Country Club and has not yet been built over with Levitt homes when this picture was taken.  The LIMP runs along the southern border of this property.  Since some ranch style Levitt homes in this photo are shown as completed, (homes north of Orchid rd and east of Jerusalem ave) this picture should date around 1949.

From Mystery Friday Foto #25 Solved: A 1949 Fairchild Aerial Survey over Levittown

Fred was a grand fellow, totally consumed by his love of auto racing and inspired to collect cars and original sales literature and books on cars by his father who had a collection of cars and was also a Doctor. I knew Fred for 50+ years - we would always spend time together sharing what treasures we bought/found at the Hershey swap meet car show when there was a blue field ( now when the roller coasters are)
I mentioned to him a hard bound book that was printed in Europe in the 1930s about racing that he had never heard of (!) and through my “spies” and contacts there managed to get about 3 or 4 for him as one was issued each year. He was very very happy with that. A genuine enthusiast - ( much like Howard Kroplick is) who cared so much about the history of cars and the connection that the period items made for us. Not about any $ value , it was the history connection always. He was so thrilled when his daughter was born, had her wrapped up in a white blanket and with him at the flea market at Hershey so she could “meet” his friends. God Speed Fred, it was an honor to be your friend.

From Update: Sad news- The loss of a hero- Dr. Fred Simeone

Lower left in Wantagh Parkway heading L > R north to south
Hemp Tpke heading East
Remnants of LIMP near top
You can see old Airplane country club

From Mystery Friday Foto #25 Solved: A 1949 Fairchild Aerial Survey over Levittown

I actually saw both of these vehicles in COMMACK about four years ago. I kick myself to this day for not taking a picture of it.

From Mystery Friday Foto #23 Solved: A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR W196S on top of the Mercedes-Benz "Blue Wonder" hauler

HOWARD: GREAT TO SEE THE THE CHALLANGER & THE MUSTANG AT OUR GNYR SHOW, AFTER 3 YEARS OF COVID.  A WELCOME SITE. THANKS FOR BRINGING THE CARS,  ARTIE FINNEGAN CHIEF JUDGE GNYR.

From Highlights from the Old Westbury Gardens Car Show

I was there also met the couple who had mentioned their name, but I forgot. I had mentioned a couple who run the Long Island MG club, yeah, they knew. Seen this MG at some earlier times elsewhere, it was featured ones in the LI Newsday Friday edition in the automotive section IN THE GARAGE page, also some time ago.

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

Brian S:
I saw a Car at Milleridge Inn last Thursday that looks just like this. Didn’t talk to the owners, tho. Older man and woman. Really nice car.

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

Mystery Foto #24…I did know a guy who bought a new red MG TF on Long Island back around 1955. His name as Al Van Wymerish. Now deceased. That’s all I’ve got.

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

Do not know about this car.  I have 1954TF 1500.  green /black that I want to put on the market for $30K.

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

Hey all, the event was ENJOYABLE!

From Highlights from the Old Westbury Gardens Car Show

Mark, I thought I saw you from a distance but by the time I got to where I thought you may be you had disappeared. I did not bring one of my own cars but rode over with a friend who is one of my former students , Rob Mancz, who has a great 1968 Pontiac Tempest. I need to get my 1930 Packard 7 passenger touring car and 1940 Buick Roadmaster back on the road. Spending to much time researching and writing stories about car history for publications all on pre 1950 vehicles. It just never ends !

From Highlights from the Old Westbury Gardens Car Show