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
I think the cinders were logs or planking. Residents must of been overjoyed when the roads received actual pavement. There must’ve been some type of stop signs before the traffic signals.
From Kleiner's Korner: The Dangerous Intersection of Wheeler Road and the Motor Parkway
A glimpse of Zinzi’s Harley in the lower left corner at the scene of a severe Parkway wreck.
From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Tommy Zinzi policing the Motor Parkway in front of the Meadow Brook Lodge
Huge thanks to Bill Cruickshank for yet another beautiful shot from his family collection!
As Bill’s grandfather Otto McCamish would call him, ‘Tommy the cop’ Zinzi and his grandmother Pernelle in front of their Meadowbrook lodge.
The bike is truly beautiful! A classic Harley Davidson. Most likely a 1928 model that these days could sell for 75k if pristine.
From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Tommy Zinzi policing the Motor Parkway in front of the Meadow Brook Lodge
Great photo Greg! Never seen this one before.
From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Tommy Zinzi policing the Motor Parkway in front of the Meadow Brook Lodge
I don’t think that cars of that era could go very fast in the mud on Wheeler Road. That may have saved lives too. Driver behavior hasn’t changed in a century unfortunately.
From Kleiner's Korner: The Dangerous Intersection of Wheeler Road and the Motor Parkway
Yes Al! And Elsie Janis was his mechanician.
From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"
Guess what ?.... Barney Oldfield did race the the Golden Dragon in 1906 for the “Vanderbilt Cup”
From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"
Photo of Joe Tracy and Al Poole at the start of the NY - Philadelphia endurance test mentioned above using denatured alcohol. This comment follows one of Sam Berliner’s last entries (if not his final one) on vanderbiltcupraces.com prior to his passing.
From Kleiner's Korner: A 1907 Vanderbilt Cup Race Entry
Mystery Foto #26… The race car is a 1908 Mitchell as driven by F. Zirbes in the 1908 Jericho Sweepstakes. This race for cars costing between $1001 and $2000. The date of the race is October 10, 1908. Official second from left could be Willy K.
From Mystery Foto #26 Solved : The J18 Mitchell racer driven by Frank Zirbes at the Start Line
Al,
Barney absolutely raced Vanderbilt at Ormond in 1904. Willie K. lost.
https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/the_dawn_of_speed_when_willie_k_raced_barney_oldfield
From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"
Howard, I think I know why Oldfield did not initially race in any of the Vanderbilt Cup events. He was a “track racer”, not a “road” racer, different set of skills . Re. Indy-Bridgehampton.
From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"
Howard, Did Barney “race ” against Vanderbilt at Daytona at one point ?
From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"
Great find, Howard. As you know, I have researched Barney’s career extensively and have to say there is a lot of content in here that I did not know of before.
From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"
Thank you for posting such a wonderful piece of history for us to enjoy
From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"
Best magazine on the subject I’ve ever read! I devoured every word. Each issue is a treasure. They will remain in my library. Thank you Richard
From Highlights from Crankshaft #2- This is not your father's car magazine
That’s the J18 Mitchell racer with F. Zirbes driving at the start of the Jericho Sweepstakes on October 10, 1908. I think one of the officials is Fred Wagner and another could be Jefferson DeMont Thompson.
From Mystery Foto #26 Solved : The J18 Mitchell racer driven by Frank Zirbes at the Start Line
I have seen these booklets on ebay over the years, very rarely, and very, very expensive to purchase. Thank you for posting.
From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"
The first few years of the Vanderbilt Cup, no American car had a chance of beating the Europeans. And I doubt the Europeans would have any reason to put Barney in one of their cars. They had Grand Prix champions to chose from. So maybe Barney had no desire to harm his reputation by taking a chance on the race. Also, American entries in the Cup were allowed to engage European drivers, and some did.
From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"
Salt Lake race may be mis-dated, unless real busy Dec.13, 1904.
Explains chronological question.
Fantastic document! Thank you for sharing in its entirety.
From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"
Great article on a superb artifact - thanks Greg!
From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"
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