Vanderbilt Cup Races

I once came upon a photo of Walter McCarthy, Walter Gosden, and Henry Austin Clark Jr., together surrounding an old relic in need of repair. I suspected the trio were all into renovating rare old motors.

My condolences to the McCarthy family during this difficult time.

From Sad news: Walter McCarthy has passed at the age of 85

- The Hotel Ormand, Ormand Beach, FL.
- Lodging, frequented by the Vanderbilts and others, convenient to racing at nearby Daytona Beach.
- The building was demolished in 1992 to construct a condominium.

From Mystery Friday Photo #10 Solved: The Hotel Ormond -An early race destination at the "Birthplace of Speed"

I only learned of Walter from the website here. His bio tells me he was a tremendous individual all around. Condolences to his family and may he rest in eternal peace.

From Sad news: Walter McCarthy has passed at the age of 85

Gary Cooper lived a bit NE of the museum; his wife’s family I believe were from the area, and as he aged he spent more time there, loving cars he would go to the museum to check them out and go for rides with Austin. Copper is buried in Southampton just east of the museum , no headstone to mark the grave but just a large natural stone. We used to drive through the graveyard after having lunch at John Ducks restaurant to pay our respects to Gary Cooper in the 1920 Autocar hotel bus.

From Mystery Friday Foto #9 Solved: Gary Cooper and Henry Austin Clark, Jr. going for a ride in the Hamptons (Circa 1960)

Or maybe the 1904 VCR course shown below.

From Kleiner's Korner: The Courses of the Vanderbilt Cup Races (in French)

I believe this ““Nashville Banner” article actually refers to the 1909-1910 course of the Vanderbilt Cup Race as it looks strikingly similar to the shape of my new home state, North Carolina.  Second photo is the course, third photo is North Carolina.

From Kleiner's Korner: The Courses of the Vanderbilt Cup Races (in French)

Crazy story!  I look forward to seeing it running!

From Video of the week: Tucker Car #50, the last Tucker automobile ever produced by Preston Tucker!

Al Prete is correct; Sloppy work by the NY Times. I wonder what major event occurred just before in 1904, that led to this map’s misrepresentation

From Kleiner's Korner: Alternative Courses of the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race was a ten-lap race in a clockwise pattern. It was not a single loop as depicted by the NY Times map. Missing in the NY Times map is the Springfield Blvd (Creed Ave) segment that connected the continuous course. Photo below

From Kleiner's Korner: Alternative Courses of the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

The Times map draws roads as railroads and railroads as roads? The RR spur from Garden City to Hempstead is missing?

Was “National Rifle Association” a station-stop on the LIRR?

Massapequa is spelled “Massepequa” in several places, and in one place, Merrick Road is called “Herrick Road.”

Warsaw County? Reminds me of the old insurance commercial: “Where are you from?” “Wausau.” “Welcome to America!”

From Kleiner's Korner: Alternative Courses of the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Brian, As you noted, Bridge Rd. ran along side the north side of the Motor Parkway. There was a Highland Ave along the southside of the Parkway in the same area that ended at Joshua’s Path. At one time the three roads ran side by side by side; Today the western terminus of Bridge Rd. is just east of Joshua’s Path. Before the construction of the L.I.E. the western terminus was north of the L.I.E and just west of Caleb’s Path, It appears that the section of Bridge Rd., between Caleb’s Path and Joshua’s Path was done away with or incorporated into the Parkway.

From Kleiner's Kolumn: The Long Island Motor Parkway in Maps (Part I)

Hi
I have a signed front cover of a 1964 issue of The Bulb Horn signed by Peter Helck to Bill Pollock. Bill was President of the AACA many years ago, and my late husband, Ralph DeStefano worked for Bill for many years, and bought Bill’s antique car restoration business from him in the 1990’s. I am interested in selling the piece, but am unsure if it has any value.
I will attach two photos. Thank you.
Lizabeth Sloan
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

From Verifying an Original Peter Helck Painting

I see what you mean, Brian.  Maybe the topographer in 1919 was having a rough day (or feeling the effects of a joyful previous night).  Thanks for highlighting.

From Kleiner's Kolumn: The Long Island Motor Parkway in Maps (Part I)

I was looking at USGS Topo Maps of the LIMP etc. Happened to notice a “creative route” of the motor parkway in the Central Islip area on the Year 1919 map. For comparison, below is the 1904, 1919 and 1947 maps. On the 1919 map, the parkway is north of Bridge Rd ( rather than south of ), and the curves aren’t right. Thought this was interesting ????

From Kleiner's Kolumn: The Long Island Motor Parkway in Maps (Part I)

Is the car the Black Beast?

From Mystery Friday Foto #9 Solved: Gary Cooper and Henry Austin Clark, Jr. going for a ride in the Hamptons (Circa 1960)

Mystery Foto #9… Actor Gary Cooper is the driver and the passenger is Henry Austin Clark. The year of the mystery Foto is 1965. The Car is, I believe, a 1911 Mercer Raceabout also known as the Type 35 R. One of America’s really great cars of the pioneer era. 
I will never be able to own one of these so perhaps I should do the next best thing and build a model

From Mystery Friday Foto #9 Solved: Gary Cooper and Henry Austin Clark, Jr. going for a ride in the Hamptons (Circa 1960)

Is the driver Les Cutting?
The passenger is Austin Clark.
The car seems to be a Simplex.
Rog

From Mystery Friday Foto #9 Solved: Gary Cooper and Henry Austin Clark, Jr. going for a ride in the Hamptons (Circa 1960)

Lee, Regarding your Feb. 10 post about the 1903 timeline. In all likelihood there was a bridge of sorts prior to the one built for the Meadowbrook Club. In the same vicinity the CRR had to deal with crossing over what at the time was known as the Meadow Creek and the surrounding swampy area. I imagine it was a simple affair built just a few feet above.

From Mystery Friday Foto #5 Solved: A 1930's view of the Motor Parkway area around Merrick Avenue in Westbury and East Meadow

Frank, Yeah, I’m sure your right about the photos being of the same bridge. I was hoping that someone would come up with some info about the possibility of a bridge under the the tracks for the polo ponies going to and from the new polo fields north of Stewart Ave.

From Mystery Friday Foto #5 Solved: A 1930's view of the Motor Parkway area around Merrick Avenue in Westbury and East Meadow

That looks like Gary Cooper in the driver’s seat with Henry Austin Clark, Jr. as his passenger. The car is a 1911 Mercer type 35-R Raceabout. Some references have the date as 1965 but since Gary Cooper died in 1961, the date of the photo is probably closer to 1960.

From Mystery Friday Foto #9 Solved: Gary Cooper and Henry Austin Clark, Jr. going for a ride in the Hamptons (Circa 1960)