Vanderbilt Cup Races

Thanks Al for the great suggestion to see what else I could find in my backyard!  Lo and behold - just found a Motor Parkway plate and a racer!  Wonder if George Robertson ever drove this one on the Southport Spur!  Can anyone identify the racer?

And not so coincidental, Greg.  I paid extra to get a home lot on the spur!  I was going to build a garage for the racers in my backyard but the HOA wouldn’t permit it!

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 2 - The Vanderbilt (Willie K.) Connection and the Rise of the Automobile in my New Home State - North Carolina

Our deepest condolences to the Helck family and to you on the tragic loss of Tim Jerry and Rita

From Sad news: Tim Helck has died at the age of 64 years

I think the photo was taken in Jericho on the Jericho Turnpike, possibly facing south or southeast. The individuals were all members of the William Cullen Bryant family. They were there watching the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race on October 24, 1908. The car on the far left is a Stanley Steamer. From left to right I think we’re looking at Fanny Godwin White, Elizabeth Marquand Godwin, Frederick Marquand Godwin (back to camera), Elizabeth Love Godwin, Elizabeth Godwin White, and Harold Godwin. It’s possible I have the last two “Elizabeths” reversed.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: The family of William Cullen Bryant of Roslyn Harbor watching the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Jericho

The Bob Swanson Vanderbilt car had a Midget Offenhauser engine bur was a purpose built car for the race with a longer wheelbase than standard midgets. After WWII it had a DO HAL engine installed and was raced as a sprint car. Later a Hudson six was installed and it raced on the Dry Lakes. In the 1950’s a Ford flathead was installed. The front end was converted to a cross spring. I spoke to the second to last guy that drove it, he said it finally crashed badly. I’d pay dearly for the remains if they are still out there somewhere . Bob Swanson

From The Two Midget Racers in the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Sincerest condolences ...

From Sad news: Tim Helck has died at the age of 64 years

Jericho Turnpike, looking east
The Godwins, heirs to William Cullen Bryant
From left - granddaughter Fanny Godwin White, Great grandson Frederick Godwin and his wife, Elizabeth Marquand Godwin, Elizabeth Godwin White, unknown, far right - Harold Godwin
1908 VCR, October 24, 1908
Stanley Steamer

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: The family of William Cullen Bryant of Roslyn Harbor watching the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Jericho

I am looking forward to seeing, hearing, and watching the Ford Challenger III in motion.  Another one of a kind car, wow.

From Sports Illustrated, November 10, 1962: Ford's Big Plunge into Racing

I remember the cartoon “Lucky Ducky”, cool image.

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: A 1940 view of the Motor Parkway at Half Hollow Road in Dix Hills

Mystery Foto # 4… This photo shows members of the William Cullen Bryant family. Far left we see Fanny Godwin White and the car is a Stanley Steamer. To the far right is Harold Godwin. These photos were taken at the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup held on October 24.
Again from left to right we see Fanny Godwin White, Elizabeth Marquand Godwin, Elizabeth Godwin White, another Bryant family member and Harold Godwin

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: The family of William Cullen Bryant of Roslyn Harbor watching the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Jericho

Art, I had forgotten about what you call the Wilmington spur. Actually it was known as the Southport Spur. It ran from the harbor to the golf course behind your home. Willie liked that course… played it anytime he was in the area, said it reminded him of the one at his home in Centreport. I believe your home is built on the end of the spur. Do some digging, believe some porcelain parkway plates were disposed of in the area.

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 2 - The Vanderbilt (Willie K.) Connection and the Rise of the Automobile in my New Home State - North Carolina

From left to right: Fanny Godwin White (William Cullen Bryant’s granddaughter) in a Stanley Steamer, Elizabeth Marquand Godwin, Elizabeth Godwin White, Frederick Godwin’s sister Elizabeth Love Godwin, and Harold Godwin at far right on Northern Blvd in Greenvale at the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Races, October 24, 1908.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: The family of William Cullen Bryant of Roslyn Harbor watching the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Jericho

Tragic loss at such a young age. Condolences to the Helck family. We’re currently breaking records globally for daily Covid infections. Maintain protection from transmission, we’re still deep in the Covid forest

From Sad news: Tim Helck has died at the age of 64 years

Remaining post from the Wilmington spur of the Motor Parkway! We all know the Parkway needed more business over the years, but who knew how far they’d go to bring cars on it!
And how coincidental and lucky you are that it just so happens to be in your backyard!

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 2 - The Vanderbilt (Willie K.) Connection and the Rise of the Automobile in my New Home State - North Carolina

Sorry to hear about this tragic loss. Condolences to the Helck family.

From Sad news: Tim Helck has died at the age of 64 years

So sorry to learn of Timothys passing, my condolences to The Helck Family.

From Sad news: Tim Helck has died at the age of 64 years

Condolences to the entire Helck family!  May Tim’s memories be long lasting and a comfort to all.

From Sad news: Tim Helck has died at the age of 64 years

“Congrats to Al Prete, Greg O. David Miller, Brian McCarthy, Frank Femenias and Steve Lucas for correctly identifying the construction of the Bethpage State Parkway.”

Huh???
_________________________________________

Howard Kroplick: Oops, sorry Ernie..I missed your correct answer. Corrected congrats above.

From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Bethpage State Parkway under construction in 1934-1935

Another connection is Alva Smith Vanderbilt (Willy K’s. mother) being born in 1853 in Mobile, Alabama.

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 1 - The Vanderbilt Connection and the Rise of the Automobile in my New Home State - North Carolina

The location and orientation of the photographer
- Looking north over Bethpage State Parkway and Merritts Road

The parkway under construction, major roads, railroads and golf course
- Again, Bethpage State Parkway and Merritts Road. Hempstead Turnpike
running L-R forking into Conklin and Fulton roads.

The LIRR Bethpage Crossing is visible along with the spur to the Bethpage
brick yards.

The golf courses of Bethpage State Park can be seen.

Relate the aerial to the Vanderbilt Cup Races and the Long Island Motor Parkway
- Dead Man’s curve is just out of view to the left (west). The LIMP is snaking
just north of the gold courses.

The approximate year of the Mystery Foto
- The Bethpage Parkway was constructed between 1934-36
(http://www.nycroads.com/roads/bethpage/). I’d put this image towards 35
as the overpass at Hempstead Tpke is completed, but not the terminus at the
State park.

From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Bethpage State Parkway under construction in 1934-1935

Please tell me when the Tucker grand children program will be.

From A Preview Look: Tucker 1044 on display one week before the opening of the Savoy Automobile Museum in Cartersville, Georgia