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
This is the south side of the LIMP facing east, just west of Merrick ave. A newly constructed bridge carrying the LIMP over Merrick ave can be seen in the center of the photograph. In the distance to the right is the Ladenburg windmill. Below that, in the foreground to the right is the archway over the entrance to the LIMP at what would be the Meadowbrook lodge. The photographer is probably pretty much standing on the site of the lodge building facing east. The sign is not finished and the entrance ramp is also not completed dating this photo probably just before the parkway opened in October of 1908.
From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: A view of a Merrick Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge from the Vanderbilt Museum Archives
One thing I never knew about the Merrick Rd bridge was the presence of a culvert under the west approach.
From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: A view of a Merrick Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge from the Vanderbilt Museum Archives
I say Merrick Ave. photographer is just south of the LIMP. The Meadowbrook Lodge is to his or her left. The entrance for the LIMP to Merrick Ave is just right of the photo. The windmill/tower is the giveaway.
From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: A view of a Merrick Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge from the Vanderbilt Museum Archives
Hi Greg - Thanks for the mention of me with the Robert Emery LIRR map above, but I’m pretty sure I was wrong about the location of the Garden City Coal & Wood Yard. Below is 3 screenshots - my comment about where this Coal Yard actually was, another marked Robert Emery Map ( his sketches are excellent ), and a 1914 map of Uniondale & Garden City. There was Meadowbrook Club, but no military operations yet.
From Greg O's Garage: Weighing in on the 1906 American Elimination Trial and Vanderbilt Cup Race
From 1967 - 2014, my family lived at 5 Vanderbilt Parkway in Dix Hills. This postcard includes a piece of my then-future / now-past front lawn in it. It’s the vegetation in the lower right portion of the photo. It’s odd seeing Vanderbilt cross Half Hollow close up, but I recognize that downward slope approaching Half Hollow Road. Lotta memories.
From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: A 1940 view of the Motor Parkway at Half Hollow Road in Dix Hills
Brian, The Hicksville Control Station was entered on the north side of the LIRR. That year, and only that year, the race was run in a clockwise direction.
From Mystery Friday Foto #13 Solved: The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race winner #7 Panhard driven by George Heath stopped at a Control
Glad the cupola was saved.
From Mystery Friday Photo #10 Solved: The Hotel Ormond -An early race destination at the "Birthplace of Speed"
I’m agree with Brian that Heath is at the Hicksville Control station. The wooded background is not conducive with the Hempstead Control station.
From Mystery Friday Foto #13 Solved: The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race winner #7 Panhard driven by George Heath stopped at a Control
I’m back. Figuring they are at the Hicksville Control, north or south of the LIRR.
From Mystery Friday Foto #13 Solved: The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race winner #7 Panhard driven by George Heath stopped at a Control
I believe this is driver George Heath & mechanician Eugene Lajunie in the #7 Panhard Racer ( France ) during the 10/8/1904 VCR. Believe their stopped at one of the control areas on the course, don’t know which control area. They won in 1st place. Screenshot below is of them at The Hempstead Control, courtesy of Howard Kroplicks 10 min film of this race.
From Mystery Friday Foto #13 Solved: The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race winner #7 Panhard driven by George Heath stopped at a Control
Writing the magazines, was my first thought. When the road was my hope.
From The Bridgehampton Race Circuit...Today
Delightful clip. That must have been some adventure, especially crossing to Russia “without snow tires” before the revolution. …and according to contemporary sources the GNP of Russia is still smaller than that of Texas.
From Mystery Friday Foto #12 Solved: The historic 1907 Thomas Flyer and driver George Schuster make an appearance on "I've Got a Secret" game show in 1958
1914 group photo
From Mystery Racers: The 1914 Indy 500 Race
The equivalent value today is about $30k. A nice chunk of change!
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The $1,000 check for winning the 1908 Meadow Brook Sweepstakes
Mark, the home for the Challenger III will be the Black Beast garage at Waterfront at Roslyn.
From Videos: The Holman Moody Challenger III takes to the road and a dyno test
Playing around the Nassau County LRV, and was a little surprised that the section of Salisbury Park Dr between Westbury Rd & Newbridge Ave is titled MOTOR PKWY. SBL 45 H 42.Realize this section was acquired by LILCO, then Nassau County purchased it for the roadway. Nice to know that the LIMP isn’t forgotten : )
From Kleiner's Korner: Nassau County Surveys of Motor Parkway Property Transferred or Disposed Of (Levittown)
I believe the check was found in the Henry Austin Clark, Jr. archives.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The $1,000 check for winning the 1908 Meadow Brook Sweepstakes
I have that program from HAC L.I. Automotive Museum when I was there in ‘57? at age12? and saw his Thomas Flyer in that unrestored condition, then in late ‘77 saw this again at Harrah’s Museum in Sparks NV in the restored condition by Harrah, a few months before Bill Harrah had passed on, and now relocated to the modern Nation Automobile Museum in Reno that someday I hope to go?
From Mystery Friday Foto #12 Solved: The historic 1907 Thomas Flyer and driver George Schuster make an appearance on "I've Got a Secret" game show in 1958
Now Howard, were will this be located? at your Black Beast Garage among your other
wonderful collectables? OR a new loving home -A Bigger Garage?
From Videos: The Holman Moody Challenger III takes to the road and a dyno test
I think (based on period magazine and newspaper articles) this is the Saturday October 8, 1904 first Vanderbilt Cup race. If it is, the location is near the start line in the Village of Westbury prior to the start, “waiting their turn in any old place near the starting point.” The number 7 1904 90 Horsepower Panhard & Levassor is driven by George Heath with mechanician Eugene Lejeunie. American born, living in France, George Heath won the first Vanderbilt Cup race.
From Mystery Friday Foto #13 Solved: The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race winner #7 Panhard driven by George Heath stopped at a Control
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