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
Website by Eric Miller Design
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Recent Comments
Mark, I did not attend. I cancelled due to Tennessee’s lack COVID-19 policies. However, Tucker 1044 was well-represented with Dave Baum, Mike Tucker and Sean Tucker.
From Update: Tucker 1044 honored with Tucker Class Special Award at the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival
The Mercedes had a interesting steering wheel design that was use in later years everyday cars.
From Mystery Foto #42 Solved: A 1915 autographed photo from Ralph DePalma to his "good friend" Peter Helck
I’m impress with this event, some prominent guests showed up, you Howard? Never expect this to be in Tenn. was Richard Lentinello new resident of Knoxviile TN drop by? Hope to see Wayne today Sun. at Greenwich Concours d’Elegance now own and run by Hagerty, remains to be seen how well it’s run?
From Update: Tucker 1044 honored with Tucker Class Special Award at the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival
Cool, interesting info Art. Hope Mr. Hornke didn’t chase away any local kids building clubhouses or forts : )
From Kleiner's Korner: And Now For Something Completely Different: Part 6 (Motor Parkway - 1930+)
Dick-
A little poking around on the site uncovered a post from 2010 that makes clear what became of both Locomobiles, even a piston and connecting rod from the spare parts that Peter/Jerry Helck had in their possession.
https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/monday_march_1
From Mystery Foto #41 Solved: Vanderbilt Cup Race driver Joe Tracy with reporter Ada Patterson
The trophy then and today
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: George Robertson winning the 1908 Founders Week Cup Race in Irving Morse's Locomobile
-The driver ,and mechanician
George Robertson and Glenn Ethridge.
-The race, location and date of the photo
The Philadelphia 200 mile race at Fairmount Park, October 10, 1908
-The race car and its owner
#10 Locomobile (Old 16) owned by Irving Morse
-The trophy
From 1909 through 2009, the Cup was in the Irving Morse family. With the death of 90-year-old Birmingham, Michigan, resident Louise Barrows, did the Cup surface in public again. Louise was the granddaughter of Irving Morse.
The cup was sold at a March 22nd, 2009 auction for $128,700 to a Toronto-based buyer.
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved: George Robertson winning the 1908 Founders Week Cup Race in Irving Morse's Locomobile
Great to see the Black Beast on the Jersey shore!
From The Alco Black Beast racing on the Jersey Shore and highlights from TROG (The Race of Gentlemen)
Nice to see the additional information, Gary. Thanks. Guess the Motor Parkway never came up while you knew them.
From Kleiner's Korner: And Now For Something Completely Different: Part 6 (Motor Parkway - 1930+)
I knew both Edward (1903-1991) and Mabel (1908-2008) Gronroos, as they were neighbors of ours in Farmingdale. I believe they were the original owners of their 1950’s house, like my parents were, on Lowell Drive in suburban Farmingdale. Both were quiet and unassuming, having a well maintained home. It was only in later years after he had passed that I discovered his role in the LIMP. Interestingly, the 1930 U.S. Census lists Edward, age 26, as “motorcycle police” living with his wife Mabel, age 21, and father-in-law Samuel S. Sadler, age 71, occupation “Toll Collector” at Lakeville Road, Motor Parkway, Lake Success.
From Kleiner's Korner: And Now For Something Completely Different: Part 6 (Motor Parkway - 1930+)
Tried all week-end to research but came up empty. Looking forward to the answer.
From Mystery Foto #42 Solved: A 1915 autographed photo from Ralph DePalma to his "good friend" Peter Helck
Nobody makes a bigger splash in auto racing history than you do.
From 2021 TROG (The Race of Gentlemen) captured by photographer Jason Barr
Thanks to Howard Kroplick & Roger White for Keeping American Automotive Racing History Alive! http://www.firstsuperspeedway.com
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Vanderbilt Cup Trophy Today
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From 2021 TROG (The Race of Gentlemen) captured by photographer Jason Barr
I have the 1930s Vanderbilt programs as well in my archives. GREAT stuff, and especially for listing the local car dealerships and their addresses/locations. It can give you a great number of locations to see if the building still survives in tact and is not totally altered from when it was new with the addition of aluminum siding,windows , neon signs etc.
From Greg O's Garage: 85th Anniversary of the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Another photo of DePalma in the #2 Mercedes as well as 2 Helck paintings.
From Mystery Foto #42 Solved: A 1915 autographed photo from Ralph DePalma to his "good friend" Peter Helck
Ralph DePalma with his first place winning #2 Mercedes at the 1915 Indy 500 on May 31st.
Ralpha DePalma drove Mercedes racers in four Vanderbilt Cup Races, winning in 1912 and 1914:
1911 Vanderbilt Cup Race (Savannah): Drove the #10 Mercedes. Finished 2nd.
1912 Vanderbilt Cup Race (Milwaukee):Drove the #22 Mercedes. Finished 1st.
1914 Vanderbilt Cup Race (Santa Monica): Drove the #12 Mercedes. Finished 1st.
1915 Vanderbilt Cup Race (San Francisco): Drove the #22 Mercedes. Finished 4th.
Below:
In the #2 Mercedes and taking the checkered flag at the 1915 Indy finish line.
From Mystery Foto #42 Solved: A 1915 autographed photo from Ralph DePalma to his "good friend" Peter Helck
Hello, I am the granddaughter of Gladys Van Ausdall. She, her husband George, and their son, George (my father, now deceased), used to lived on Grove St. and of course in what is now called Harbor Mist Restaurant. My 88-year-old mother recently discovered this website and showed it to me. I also collect antiques, and we wondered where grandma’s highboy had ended up. Louise, if you still own the dresser and would like to get in touch, please feel free to contact me here or provide other contact information. Thank you!
From Mystery Foto #59 Solved: The Van Ausdall's Hotel in Cold Spring Harbor, NY Circa 1914
Greg,
Forgot that Jayne’s Hill in S. Huntington is in Suffolk County.
From Greg O's Garage: A 1906 Nassau County Map
Mark-
A lot of people (myself included for a while) do think Bald Hill is the highest, but Jayne’s Hill in S.Huntington is highest. Other high spots in Nassau AND Suffolk are Beacon Hill in Port Washington and the hill that Oheka Castle is built upon. Interesting tidbit about Oheka is that it was man-made. Otto Kahn wanted the highest point on Long Island, so he built the Cold Spring Harbor LIRR station to have train loads of dirt, rocks and material to build the ‘mountain’ that Oheka is built on.
From Greg O's Garage: A 1906 Nassau County Map
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