Vanderbilt Cup Races

Interesting pictures, stories and comments.

From Kleiner's Korner: The Mysterious Seaford "Speedway" (posts and all!)

. . . Continued.  Reports of the proposal indicated the Motor Parkway right-of-way would be used as a rail bed.  (all from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle of May 25, 1912)

From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: North Hempstead Town Supervisor Edwin C. Willets Driving a 1904 Buckmobile

Further details regarding the proposed use in 1912 of the I. U. Willets property as a cemetery.  Following a political battle a state law was passed that prohibited the building of new cemeteries in Nassau County.

From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: North Hempstead Town Supervisor Edwin C. Willets Driving a 1904 Buckmobile

My favorite pic is of Howard getting a ticket for having excessive fun….
WAY TO GO, HOWARD!!

From Update: Videos and highlights of the 2021 Port Jefferson Hill Climb

Howard, Regarding the the gold medal, yes it was issued during the Reliability Run….but only as an after thought.  The contest was a timed event with speed limits at or below local ordinances, some areas as low as 6 MPH. Contestants had to be at specified locations at given times. The one with the least number of demerits would be the winner of the ACA’s Presidents Cup. Problem was 17 participators turned in perfect scores, that is, without a single demerit. so…. it was decided that a gold metal would be issued to those 17 and their names and the vehicle driven would be inscribed on the Cup.

From Mystery Foto #33 Solved: Windsor White's gold medal from the 1902 500-mile Reliability Contest from NYC to Boston and return for the White Steamer

“Excessive Fun”, :D. LOVE IT!

From Update: Videos and highlights of the 2021 Port Jefferson Hill Climb

Mystery Foto #33… The contest associated with this medal was the ACA 500 mile Reliability Contest, “New York to Boston and Return” October 1902.
The driver was Windsor T White.
As for a link to the Vanderbilt Cup Race, Windsor’s brother Walter drove a White steam powered racer in the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race…. the only steamer to ever run in the Vanderbilt.
The manufacturer of the auto was White Sewing Machine Co. and this was a steam powered car. The car was built in Cleveland, Ohio.
Both US Presidents Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt owned White steamers.
A likely reason why White was awarded this medal was that the auto made relatively good time and speed along the way.

From Mystery Foto #33 Solved: Windsor White's gold medal from the 1902 500-mile Reliability Contest from NYC to Boston and return for the White Steamer

1.The Automobile Club of America October 9 - 15, 1902 500 mile Reliability Run from NY City to Boston and back to NY City.
2. Windsor T. White was the driver and E.W. Wheaton was the observer.
3. White Sewing Machine Co.
6. President Shattuck of the Automobile Club of America offered the presidents cup for contestants who averaged 14 miles per hour for each stage.  The maximum average speed of 14 mph (4.285 minutes per mile) to avoid violating the 15 mph State speed limits.

From Mystery Foto #33 Solved: Windsor White's gold medal from the 1902 500-mile Reliability Contest from NYC to Boston and return for the White Steamer

Brian, the 999 is a Baker Torpedo Kid Replica owned by Ron Laravie the organizer of the event, he’s on Facebook.

From Update: Videos and highlights of the 2021 Port Jefferson Hill Climb

I think I’m going to go with some Capt. Obvious answers today. According to the inscription on the medal, it was produced for the A. C. A. sponsored Reliability Run
between NYC and Boston and return (a distance of 488 actual miles) from Oct. 9-15, 1902. The driver was Windsor T. White who was an early financial backer for the building of the LIMP, having purchased $5,000.00 worth of stock in 1906. A White Steamer (driven by his brother Walter) participated in the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race. The car that was awarded the medal was a White Steamer manufactured by the White Sewing Machine Co. which was located in Cleveland, OH. Presidents Taft and Teddy Roosevelt both owned White Steamers. The medal was probably awarded for the best time in completing the run or possibly for having the least number of repair stoppages during the run.

From Mystery Foto #33 Solved: Windsor White's gold medal from the 1902 500-mile Reliability Contest from NYC to Boston and return for the White Steamer

Enjoyable day for me being there. I was there 6 years ago so I knew what to do this time. Got there an hour earlier, parked close by in the lot, walked over asked some questions about iffy weather, it’s on, got a freebie bagel with cream cheese, walk back to my car, got my folding chair and walk back to a spot across the street from where the announcer was position where the 61 cars left to go up the hill. The weather was not good, very cloudy mid 80s, oppressive humidity and poor Howard getting a little sweaty, but afterward the sky opened up had nice chat with people I know in the back area. Just to let you what to do in 5 years when they have it again?

From Update: Videos and highlights of the 2021 Port Jefferson Hill Climb

I’d like to buy one to hang on my wall with other plates

From The Holman Moody custom Challenger III license plate

Mauvaise traduction : Mon arrière grand père. Les mauvaises (ou pas) conditions de vie, de fin de vie, ne regarde personne ici. D’autant plus qu’il n’est pas question de sa vie privée ici mais de sa vie publique automobile. Vous remerciant.

From Request For Information from France: 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Winner Victor Hemery

He’s not dead in poor condition. And please Jean Yves, how could you know the hour of her dead ? Its my family. My grand grand father.

From Request For Information from France: 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Winner Victor Hemery

Looks like a great time!  Glad the Black Beast performed well thanks to the driver and mechanician.

From Update: Videos and highlights of the 2021 Port Jefferson Hill Climb

Great day.

From Update: Videos and highlights of the 2021 Port Jefferson Hill Climb

Great photos! Port Jefferson is a beautiful village, and it looks like a fun time was had by all.

From Update: Videos and highlights of the 2021 Port Jefferson Hill Climb

999 must be the Baker Torpedo Kid!

From Update: Videos and highlights of the 2021 Port Jefferson Hill Climb

Al - I believe you are correct; having the concrete mixer onsite was the most efficient means to distribute the concrete locally, allowing completion of the new bridge with its descending ramps, along with adding new descending ramps for the original Roosevelt Field highway bridge.

From Greg O.'s Garage: Plans for the Meadowbrook Country Club Motor Parkway Bridge

Frank, the Beast has a 4 speed but will only need 2nd to make it up this tough hill! Monster torque from that 11 liter motor!

From Greg O's Garage: The Alco Black Beast on a practice run for the Port Jefferson Hill Climb.