Vanderbilt Cup Races

I believe the Botto Farmway Bridge was located solidly within current day Old Bethpage.
____________________________________________________________________

Howard Kroplick

Robert, you are correct. The park is primarily in Old Bethpage with a Farmingdale mailing address.

From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #5: East Williston, Mineola, Bethpage & Old Bethpage

Art, great post, thanks for sharing. Farmers were not alone in objecting to the Race being held on public roads. The Post Office and local Fire Departments also had concerns about being able to carry out their duties.

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 1 - Vanderbilt Cup Race Illustrations of "The NY World" - The Impact on Farmers

Gary - correction made in the post.  Thanks for keeping me honest!

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 1 - Vanderbilt Cup Race Illustrations of "The NY World" - The Impact on Farmers

In the cartoon with Jones and Townsend - a correction - Solomon S. Townsend was not the Nassau County Clerk, he was the Clerk to the Nassau Co. Board of Supervisors.  The Nassau Co. Clerk was Thomas S. Cheshire, who served from 1901-1934.

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 1 - Vanderbilt Cup Race Illustrations of "The NY World" - The Impact on Farmers

Steve, It’s Ajassa Battesta

From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: Vincenzo Lancia at the end of a 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Mineola

Interesting historical foot note; a mere 60 years later in 1960, with the incoming much-beloved president JFK, who was known to not wear a hat, wearing a hat suddenly became a thing of the past.

From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: Vincenzo Lancia at the end of a 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Mineola

In line with Shawn Linn’s comment. . . . . . . .time for you to bring the Black Beast out to California some time soon. . . . . .maybe to the Ironstone Concours d’Elegance in late Sept. in the picturesque little Gold Rush town of Murphys. . . .

From Alco Black Beast visits Ida Automotive

Howard,
  Sure would like to ride in that some day! So is it called riding in or on? Anyway, if you ever bring it to Sonoma, you have my email.
Thanks, Shawn Linn

From Alco Black Beast visits Ida Automotive

At the end of the Dyno test, you can see water dripping from the cooling system. It was likely the Beast was overheating at around 200 degrees. This happens when the Beast is not running at speed.  I remember overheating at the 2010 Port Jefferson Hill Climb when I was waiting at the start line. It did make a great photo with George Dragone’s FIAT…which also overheated.

From The Alco Black Beast passes a dyno test

Casey, the Roslyn Landmark Society was involved in the prior restoration which occurred from 2008 to 2013. We strongly support the efforts of Friends of Cedarmere. Howard

From Road & Track September 1966: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. and his 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa

I am a friend of Howard, years ago he took me for a ride in the Black Beast on a old section of the Motor Pkwy, in Williston, L I, NY.  It was a great ride.  I would never push that Old Engine to the limit, its too valuable, and rare!

From The Alco Black Beast passes a dyno test

The photographer was facing south (or maybe slightly southwest) on Jericho Turnpike in Mineola near the start-finish line for the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race on October 14, 1905. That’s Vincenzo Lancia in the #4 FIAT. The mechanician is Battista Alissa, Batista Ajassa, or Ajassa Batissa, or something like that. The winner of the race had already been decided so the crowd swarmed around Lancia who was one of the more popular drivers and was actually still in the running for third place. Observations: it must have been illegal to leave your home without a hat; only one woman for every 200 men was allowed to attend a sporting event.

From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: Vincenzo Lancia at the end of a 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Mineola

Howard, what’s dripping out near right front wheel in video? looks like water. Actually I was a little disappointed in the torque figure. Of course these are rear wheel figures. Do you think that the wooden wheels might be responsible for some losses( as opposed to steel wheels)? Do you have any ritual for maintaining the wheels? My father had two early model T speedsters and we used to train a water spray on them to keep them from drying out and tight. This of course sounds like “shade tree” mechanic lore.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Howard Kroplick

Casey, it looks like the Beast overheated during the Dyno with water dripping from the cooling system. This happens when the Beast is not running at speed. Thanks for the suggestion to maintain the wheels. Much appreciated.

From The Alco Black Beast passes a dyno test

Hey Casey, Sold the Mack to a guy in Greenlawn, Understand he drives it around town. Donated the Fulton to the Cradle of Aviation Museum, it’s on display there.

From Road & Track September 1966: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. and his 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa

Every person in that crowd is wearing some type of head covering. Not one person is hatless. That’s pretty remarkable to me!

From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: Vincenzo Lancia at the end of a 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Mineola

Beautiful car and very sad that the former mechanic who used to service her is not with us to enjoy these very historic vehicles that many of us own. Sam Greco past away last year and he even performed some repairs on my 1931 Oldsmobile. He left us in his prime and our prayers go out to his wonderful family.

From Alco Black Beast visits Ida Automotive

Thanks,Howard. Al, no and it was 1941.It’s a sad story. Still got the AB Mack? Howard are you involved with mill restoration at Cedarmere?

From Road & Track September 1966: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. and his 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa

Back in the day the Foto was taken, no well-respected person would be caught in public without a hat. That’s all I can say, because I have no clue.

From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: Vincenzo Lancia at the end of a 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Mineola

Casey, Still got that 1940 Studebaker Fire Truck ?

From Road & Track September 1966: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. and his 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa

-The location and orientation of the photographer

Jericho Tpke in Mineola looking southwest from the press box at the finish line.

-The Vanderbilt Cup Race and date of the photo

1905 Cup Race on Saturday, October 14, 1905

-The racer, driver and mechanician in the Foto

#4 FIAT driven by Italian Vincenzo Lancia. Mechanician Alissa

-What was happening with the crowd?

The crowd was mobbing 4th place finisher, Lancia.

-What observations can you make about society of the era based on the Foto?

There is not a single person ANYWHERE in the crowd not wearing a hat!

From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: Vincenzo Lancia at the end of a 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Mineola