Vanderbilt Cup Races

Looking North at Bethpage and the construction of the Bethpage State Parkway with the Bethpage State Park golf course in the background. Conklin Street can be seen along with what was the Central RR at that time.
The Motor Pkwy and Vanderbilt Cup races ran through Bethpage.
The Bethpage State Parkway is still under construction so year would be 1935.

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

The railroad lines gave this one away. The location is Farmingdale, south of Bethpage State Park. The photographer is looking north. The parkway under construction (lower left corner) is the Bethpage State Parkway. In the picture can be seen Merritts Road (lower center), Fulton Street, Conklin Street, Fallwood Parkway, and Motor Avenue. Railroads are the Main Line and the Central Branch of the LIRR. The spur that went up to Alexander Stewart’s brickyard is still there, curving to the northeast. Thomas Powell Blvd. occupies the space of the old spur.

Photo must have been taken between 1934 and 1936, when the Bethpage State Parkway was being built. The golf course must be the present-day Green Course, the original course in the park.

The Motor Parkway went around the western/northern end of the park. I can’t see it in the Foto. Motor Avenue in Farmingdale is not near the route of the parkway. I suspect some connection on account of the name, but I don’t know what the connection is.

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

Interesting that the body was made by MFG, which I knew as a company that made fiberglass boats.

The article spells the name of designer Raymond Loewy incorrectly.

From In the Black Beast Garage: The 1963 Studebaker Avanti

More amazing details Al; thanks for sharing!! Seems that Motor Pkwy was making amends by purchasing the “damaged” lot - refilling the hole later was likely difficult in 1908. I’d bet the borrow pit became additional parking spaces for later races

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: The J11 Chalmers-Detroit at the Nibbe Farmway Bridge in Central Park (Bethpage) on its way to winning the Jericho Sweepstakes

Howard, Since no one asked, there was a kerfuffle regarding the Parkway/Nibbe relationship. The Parkway had purchased a 100 foot wide strip almost 1200 feet long from Nibbe for the ROW. At the same time they leased a half acre plot fronting on Powell Ave. as a staging area for construction purposes. Without permission, some earth was excavated from the site and used for ramping purposes. Nibbe was understandably upset and the Parkway ended up purchasing the plot and used it as a borrow pit.

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: The J11 Chalmers-Detroit at the Nibbe Farmway Bridge in Central Park (Bethpage) on its way to winning the Jericho Sweepstakes

Thanks Al. This section is now on private property. No way to access unless granted permission.
It’s been 10 years since the LIMPPS visited Arlene and Carmine’s place. Perhaps another visit will happen soon.

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

Great findings Art!

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

I have friends living in Southport and visited them about 5 years ago. A very nice town with some stately old homes near the beach. I can see why they chose to stop there. Let us know if you identify the McCormicks. Hope you’re enjoying your new home Art!

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

Frank, In all likelihood not all the spectators on the Nibbe bridge came by train to the race. Nibble’s farm was quite large with frontage on both Powell Ave. and Plainview Rd. Like some other property owners abutting the race course, he most likely provided parking also for those spectators arriving by automobile.

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: The J11 Chalmers-Detroit at the Nibbe Farmway Bridge in Central Park (Bethpage) on its way to winning the Jericho Sweepstakes

Great point Al; No cars allowed on this narrow farmway bridge! Admission fees were likely collected on this private bridge. Spectators arriving from CRR trains had to walk at least 3/4 mile to reach this observation point over the Motor Parkway!

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: The J11 Chalmers-Detroit at the Nibbe Farmway Bridge in Central Park (Bethpage) on its way to winning the Jericho Sweepstakes

Understood Steve, but now that you mentioned it, I wonder if that’s Peter Nibbe below observing bridge activity on his property/bridge. It’s a long shot but interesting nonetheless in 1908

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: The J11 Chalmers-Detroit at the Nibbe Farmway Bridge in Central Park (Bethpage) on its way to winning the Jericho Sweepstakes

Frank - I have no idea; just trying to inject a little humor into the discussion.

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: The J11 Chalmers-Detroit at the Nibbe Farmway Bridge in Central Park (Bethpage) on its way to winning the Jericho Sweepstakes

I did some internet sleuthing, and I know the address. I won’t reveal it here.

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

Steve - Nibbes would’ve been 59 in the photo. Are you referring to the (person?) standing by the bicycle below the bridge?

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: The J11 Chalmers-Detroit at the Nibbe Farmway Bridge in Central Park (Bethpage) on its way to winning the Jericho Sweepstakes

Howard, One factor that narrowed the bridge identity was the lack of automobiles and horse and carriages. Think Nibbe charged a fee to the spectators ?

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: The J11 Chalmers-Detroit at the Nibbe Farmway Bridge in Central Park (Bethpage) on its way to winning the Jericho Sweepstakes

The 1962 Studebaker Avanti in the garage is owned by my real estate partner Ian Zwerdling. I will profile it in an upcoming post.

From Mustang HoofBeats December 2021: A visit to Howard Kroplick's great car collection

Frank- It’s really cool how even the headlight bezels were cut down and reshaped, so factory replacements won’t fit. If you look closely at the closeup of the grill, you may notice how that was cut and sectioned towards the bottom.

From Restoration Update: Hear the 1962 Holman-Moody Challenger III Roar in the New Year

This is a closeup of the Nibbe’s farmway bridge I wished I had obtained back during the Apr2013 mystery. https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/mystery_foto_8_can_you_identify_these_two_motor_parkway_bridges_near_the_hu
This is the farmway bridge above Motor Parkway looking south in Bethpage (Central Park). Deadman’s curve #2 is after the bridge. That could be racer J11 of the Jericho racing team during the Meadowbrook sweepstakes.

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: The J11 Chalmers-Detroit at the Nibbe Farmway Bridge in Central Park (Bethpage) on its way to winning the Jericho Sweepstakes

Great ongoing restoration. Is it still possible to obtain original chrome headlight trims, or do they have to be built from scratch?. The Sun Tachometer is advanced for that vehicle year. Love the precise graphics. Great work by Ida Works among other contributors!

From Restoration Update: Hear the 1962 Holman-Moody Challenger III Roar in the New Year

Thank you David and to all for adding additional insights and comments into this debate.  Very much appreciated!

From Kleiner's Korner Vote Request: The Ongoing Debate Over the Highest Hill on Long Island