Vanderbilt Cup Races

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.
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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

What an amazing piece of Automotive Heritage! I would love to be at TROG and see it run.
Congratulations Howard, Rob and Bob.

From The Alco Black Beast passes a dyno test

Austin Clark moved to Glen Cove in about 1953 so that would possibly date the photo . His residence in Southampton was on the east side of South Main Street and prior to 1900 was a hotel.

From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #4: Garden City

The caption notes that Henry A. Clark, Jr. of Flushing and Southampton is at the wheel.

From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #4: Garden City

Marty when I knew him was older so had light gray hair, his wife Jean did have dark hair. Marty was tall and slim, worked for Sperry aviation/aeronautical located opposite what is now the entrance to Long Island Jewish Hospital on the east side of Lakeville Road. Photo to small for me to identify. If it is him and his car he and I took the transmission in and out of it by hand on our backs under the car! I was much younger when I did that by about 40 years!

From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #4: Garden City

Could be, Art. With Walt Gosden recalling Martin Haughey owning the same type car, I did a genealogical search for him on Ancestry.com. Martin and Jeanette Haughey did reside in Albertson. A military record describes Martin as a tall, slim redhead. Tough to tell the hair color of the gentleman above, his wife ( I presume ) is a darker brunette. If Walt remembers Martins hair color, etc, the identity of this couple could be known.

From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #4: Garden City

I was the buyer of that Lumen Martin Winter mural from the Cordier Auction. I still own it.

From Update: The Hunt for the "Godfather" Train Painting is Over

Might this be the 1910 Buick with the top down?  Found among the Helck Family Collection.

From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #4: Garden City

Always learning something from these fantastic aerials. Mineola/Carle Place/Westbury looking SE. Motor Parkway, Old Country Rd, Clinton Rd, Glen Cove Rd, Meadow Brook State Parkway (1956), LIRR, and more. Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall (1955), Partial Roosevelt Air Field landing ramps, Still existing Roosevelt Air Field Hangars along Old Country Rd, Roosevelt Harness Raceway, Mitchel Field, Motor Parkway LIRR bridge, Motor Parkway Old Country Road underpass bridge, and more. Colonel Lindbergh’s historic Spirit of St. Louis Hangar 16 has already been removed from the corner of Old Country Rd and Clinton Rd. Tree-lined Motor Parkway diagonal in the lower right corner. Though extremely difficult to see in this super aerial, the Motor Parkway’s Meadow Brook lodge hosted the 1908-10 Vanderbilt Cup Races. Appears a single car on the newly built MSP, date about 1956

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: A 1956 aerial of the new opened Roosevelt Field and almost completed Meadowbrook Parkway

Timothy - Only one of the Polo Fields can be seen along the top left edge of the aerial

From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A 1956 Aerial of the Meadowbrook Parkway and Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall Under Construction

If anyone is interested, I have a copy of this R&T for sale. I’m asking $5.00 + $4.00 shipping. If interested my email is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). I’m in Melville and can arrange for pick up or delivery. The magazine is in excellent condition. Howard, I apologize in advance if this is against web site rules, Casey
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Casey, in this case, no problem. Howard

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

Where to start! Photog is looking SE. over Westbury/Garden City area. The major roads are Old Country Rd.(mid left to lower right). Meadowbrook Pkwy.(mid lower left). Glen Cove /Clinton Rd.(left to right,lower third of photo). Stewart Ave. (upper middle of photo where East bound Pkwy. bends to the South. Group of dark roofed buildings is Roosevelt field shopping center. To the left, across parkway is Roosevelt airfield with 3 hangers just east of OCR bridge over pkwy. Further east is Roosevelt raceway. Vanderbilt cup revival was held at Roosevelt raceway. Sections of LIMP went through the area of this photograph. I’m guessing at mid 1950’s as buildings on in front of shopping center are not up yet.It was originally the Diamond Exchange.

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: A 1956 aerial of the new opened Roosevelt Field and almost completed Meadowbrook Parkway