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
Art, Great research effort, you brought order and clarity to the many bits and pieces of how the entertainment industry viewed and interacted with Vanderbilt, the Races and the Motor Parkway. Looking forward to Part 2.
From Kleiner's Korner: How The Entertainment Business Brought The Motor Parkway and the Vanderbilt Cup Races to the Public (Part 1)
Thank you for the nice words, Brian. Going the extra mile, just what Willie K. would want in his 90 hp Mercedes.
From Kleiner's Korner: How The Entertainment Business Brought The Motor Parkway and the Vanderbilt Cup Races to the Public (Part 1)
You really ( and always ) go the extra mile ( and more ) with researching, Art. I know, labor of love for you, but thanks!
From Kleiner's Korner: How The Entertainment Business Brought The Motor Parkway and the Vanderbilt Cup Races to the Public (Part 1)
Frank, Your photo of the 1906 Corbin automobile at Krug’s Hotel. They wouldn’t got that far if it wasn’t for the sheriff. The vehicle lacks at least the front Ct. license plate.
From Mystery Foto #50 Maybe Solved: Two Thomas racers being prepared for the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Failed to answer the Mystery. First glance, the photo with #12 exiting the garage area likely to be Krugs Corner’s back-yard garages. Photos below. #12 may have experienced a radiator replacement, prompting an immediate redux of the # “12”
From Mystery Foto #50 Maybe Solved: Two Thomas racers being prepared for the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
The motor has the same triangular plates on the side as the 1906 Thomas racer.
From Mystery Foto #50 Maybe Solved: Two Thomas racers being prepared for the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Mark, the Edward Russell (E.R.) Thomas in the photo was not the Edwin Ross (E.R.) Thomas who founded the E.R. Thomas Motor Company of Buffalo.
https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/mystery_friday_foto_2can_you_identify_these_two_men_at_the_1906_vanderbilt.
Edward Thomas was a prominent New York broker who owned the 1904 Mercedes #8 which raced in the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race:
https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/drivers/bio/edward_hawley
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: 12 Previously unpublished photos of the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Wow! When I finished college my first real job was with an insurance company as a claims representative on Frolic Farm Blvd.
From Kleiner's Korner: Part 4 - Vanderbilt Cup Race Illustrations of "The NY World" - "DANGER"
Assuming both cars were from the same manufacturer and were being prepped for the same race, it could only be 1906 Itala or 1908 Thomas racers. Since the additional photo looks like it might be the garage area of Krug’s Hotel, Mineola on the corner of Jericho Turnpike and Willis Avenue, I’m going with Thomas racers since Krug’s was their headquarters for the 1908 V.C.R. and probable site of the photo. The #12 car was driven by George Salzman.
From Mystery Foto #50 Maybe Solved: Two Thomas racers being prepared for the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
I’m guessing that the “dip of death” was at or near Whitney Pond (and the stream that flows out of it towards Manhasset Bay) and the intersection of Northern Boulevard and what’s now Community Drive, and that the hill is Spinney Hill.
There was a terrible accident a number of decades ago on Spinney Hill, when a car full of prom-attending high school seniors was headed eastbound down Spinney Hill too fast, and couldn’t manage the curve. I’m told that the tragedy led to the parents at Manhasset High School holding the prom (called “The Frolic”) for graduating classes at the high school itself.
From Kleiner's Korner: Part 4 - Vanderbilt Cup Race Illustrations of "The NY World" - "DANGER"
Here’s the link:
https://www.illustration-magazine.com/
From Illustration Magazine: The work of Peter Helck. (112 pages)
Just click on the red lettered NEW ILLUSTRATION #74 in Howard’s article. Will take you to magazine site.
From Illustration Magazine: The work of Peter Helck. (112 pages)
How do I oredere the 112 page book on the works of Peter Helk ?
From Illustration Magazine: The work of Peter Helck. (112 pages)
Never heard of this magazine, looks wonderful. What a great way to see some of Helck’s work and read about him. Will order, probably subscribe.
From Illustration Magazine: The work of Peter Helck. (112 pages)
This image is of a corner of Levittown when I grew up and still live.
Levitt built up to the south side of Orchid in Phase 1 with Cape Cod houses. Orchid Rd only went down to Carnation Rd where it curved to meet. Orchid was extended west in Phase 2 which left a bit of a kink in the road. The homes on the north side of Orchid are all ranch style
The houses on the west side of Carnation went down on the LIMP ROW. Somewhere I read a post from someone who grew up there who said the bank of the LIMP curve was in his back yard. I note the “park” but it is just a piece of land without even a bench to sit. I don’t know why this was left undeveloped like that. No pavement is visible there today.
When I was young we used to walk the abandoned ROW to get to the sump. Roadway was plainly visible until the houses were built on it.
The Pintail School (now torn down but for the parking lot and building slab and surrounding fence) was built on the ROW. I always found it curious the ROW curved a bit south before Pintail Lane and the fence around the property curved to match the border. The fence is still there and to this day you can see this. Just an obscure fact I don’t want to die with me.
From Update: Mystery Foto #49 Solved: A 1947 Aerial of Levittown and William J. Levitt
That’s amazing Manhasset history Howard, much thanks
From Video of the week: The Strathmore Vanderbilt Country Club in Manhasset
William Chester’s 1906 Manhasset property was +-2,400 acres in size!
From Video of the week: The Strathmore Vanderbilt Country Club in Manhasset
My rational:
The radiator, cap, suspension components, Leaf spring connection points, all match. Most compelling is the ‘V’ shaped frame cross member in front of the radiator (added support for the starter crank as well) that is unique to the Thomas.
The numbers have appeared to be repainted before the actual race, with the race photo numbers looking more quickly put on as compared to the more carefully painted mystery photo numbers.
From Mystery Foto #50 Maybe Solved: Two Thomas racers being prepared for the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
My guess on these is that they’re the #12 and 19 Thomas racers in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race at the team’s Krug’s Corner HQ. George Salzman was the driver for the 110hp #12 Thomas.
From Mystery Foto #50 Maybe Solved: Two Thomas racers being prepared for the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Howard, With so much on Levitt this week, surprised no one mentioned their Vanderbilt connection. In 1937 Levitt purchased “Fairmont” at Manhasset which was the country estate of Virginia Graham Vanderbilt from 1927 to her death in 1935. Levitt named the project, Strathmore Vanderbilt at Manhasset. Her mansion was not destroyed but later on became the Strathmore Vanderbilt Country Club, still there.
From Update: Mystery Foto #49 Solved: A 1947 Aerial of Levittown and William J. Levitt
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