Vanderbilt Cup Races

This photo was taken from the grandstand at Roosevelt Raceway (harness track) looking northwest toward Carle Place. It was taken on October 9, 1954 during the celebration parade of vintage cars honoring the 50th. anniversary of the first Vanderbilt Cup Race in 1904. The lead car is an 1897 Delahyde Brake, the oldest car in the parade. This site was the location for the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races. I believe the grandstand was originally built for those two races.

From Mystery Foto #48 Solved: The 1954 Roosevelt Raceway Parade Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the First Vanderbilt Cup Race

Howard, Spent some of Sunday afternoon at Raymond Court in Garden City. The Village has cleared and exposed about 50 feet of the concrete extension west of the parking field. After doing some clearing, the Parkway ROW is now walkable westward to where there are some downed wires. Just before that point, there is a cleared pathway to the rear of the house on the east end of Vanderbilt Court. I’m guessing the occupants make use of the Parkway ROW for walking, jogging, etc.,

From Update: Photos of the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races from the Philadelphia Free Library

Clearly the old Mineola Fair grounds in Garden City (today’s court complex), probably
the 08 Jun 1946 VMCCA Jubilee Anniversary run.  If so, Joe Tracy in Old 16 Locomobile.  An I recall me aright, looking NNE, from roof of grandstand{?}.  White car could be Cannon’s 1-cyl. Caddy.  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #48 Solved: The 1954 Roosevelt Raceway Parade Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the First Vanderbilt Cup Race

Post has been updated with information form Aldo Zano and race films.

From Update: Photos of the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races from the Philadelphia Free Library

Aldo Zana

Many thanks for mailing the newsletter I always enjoy reading.

About the Vanderbilt Cup photos:
1. The no.8 Alfa Romeo is the 12C-36 driven by Antonio “Tonino” Brivio Sforza (1905-1995), 1936 poleman and third classified due to an scheduled pitstop a few laps before finish to fasten the right cover of the engine bay.
2. The other driver with Nuvolari is Giuseppe “Nino” Farina (1906-1966), third driver of the Scuderia Ferrari Alfa Romeo, ninth on the grid and DNF. He became the first F1 world champion in 1951, driving the works Alfa Romeo 158
3.  The driver looking at the photographer while mechanics work on the engine is Attilio Marinoni, chief mechanic of Alfa Romeo and reserve driver on the Italian cars. The photo was taken during early practice, as it could be seen by the missing race number and national flag.
4. The photo of the no.18 Auto Union was taken at the Karussel corner of the Nuerburgring circuit, Germany, during the Eifelrennen 1936, June 14..Rosemeyer, driving, won and received the title of “Nebelmeister” (master of fog) having won in appalling conditions of rain and fog.
Hope to have been helpful.
Have a nice Sunday.
All the best.
Aldo

From Update: Photos of the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races from the Philadelphia Free Library

Howard, The North Shore Historical Museum is having an on line video lecture Tuesday, Dec. 1, on Louis Comfort Tiffany and Laurelton Hall. The lecture will be given by a great grandson, I believe at 7 p.m.

From Update: Photos of the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races from the Philadelphia Free Library

Without a doubt, the winning car in the unknown race photo is a Bugatti. I haven’t turned up any info about the race, but there are a few curious things about the photo. Firstly, the track is dirt. The vehicles racing appear to be too old to be racers of the day. Passenger cars and people ON the track, are just a few of the things that are a bit puzzling. I’m thinking this must have just been some sort of fun, exhibition type of race with some older racers, but have come up empty handed on searching any #31 Bugatti racers at Roosevelt Raceway.

From Update: Photos of the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races from the Philadelphia Free Library

check that, Auto Union and MB did not enter the ‘36 race

From Update: Photos of the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races from the Philadelphia Free Library

last photo of the ‘36 group. It could be Hans Stuck. A few pictures of them together in 1936 . See the Nixon book, page 121

From Update: Photos of the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races from the Philadelphia Free Library

I question the identification of Cummings #18 (1937 photo 6)
Auto Union

Sieber:  it looks more like a Bugatti rad and wheels in the unknown race.  Bug fans might be able to help the race year / event question.

$0.02

From Update: Photos of the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races from the Philadelphia Free Library

In photo 4 above, it looks like Bernd Rosemeyer is on the left.

From Update: Photos of the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races from the Philadelphia Free Library

The car in front may be the 1934 Studebaker Indy Team car.

From Update: Photos of the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races from the Philadelphia Free Library

WOW, great find Greg! The history is becoming clearer.

From Film of the Week: Care-Free Cars (1956) Starring Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Fascinating details in this aerial. Thanks Howard for posting a zoomed photo revealing the Garden City Lodge porte cochere (with flag pole in the center driveway). The lodge is not visible in this photo, likely the evergreen tree blocking the lodge’s view. The lodge was just east of the porte cochere. Thank you Howard for all you do with keeping Long Island History alive!

From Mystery Foto #47 Solved: A 1956 Aerial of the Motor Parkway Behind Stewart Field in Garden City

Mystery Foto #48… This photo taken at the 1954 Mineola Fair and Industrial Exposition in 1954 in Westbury with a parade during Mineola Fair. The event was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Vanderbilt Cup Race. The date was October 9, 1954. The lead white automobile was a 1897 or 1899 Delahaye Wagonette. See attached photo.

From Mystery Foto #48 Solved: The 1954 Roosevelt Raceway Parade Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the First Vanderbilt Cup Race

1956 Chevy Corvette Impala concept vehicle. More info here;
https://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/corvette-five-seater-the-1956-corvette-impala-concept/
__________________________________________

Howard Kroplick:

Great find, greg!

From Film of the Week: Care-Free Cars (1956) Starring Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

The Mineola Fair at Roosevelt Raceway The Fair was held at the Raceway from 1950 -1970 Its an antique car parade and the photographer is on the roof of the clubhouse Sorry I don’t know the lead car but its an early high wheeler maybe an electric vehicle

From Mystery Foto #48 Solved: The 1954 Roosevelt Raceway Parade Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the First Vanderbilt Cup Race

Hi Walt, I like the mention of the eccentric fellow and his cars. Must be a sight to see him drive by!

From Cradle of Aviation Archives: The 1918 Curtiss Engineering Corporation Flying Map of Long Island

Event is the 50th anniversary of the first Vanderbilt Cup Race, on Oct. 9, 1954. The lead white car is an 1897 Delahaye Brake, the oldest car at the event. (It is shown elsewhere on this website as a “Delahyde,” but I’m sure Delahaye is the right name.)

Location is Roosevelt Raceway harness track. I believe that the photographer is facing north because of the hills in the background and the way the shadows are pointing. I forgot the orientation of the harness track.

From Mystery Foto #48 Solved: The 1954 Roosevelt Raceway Parade Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the First Vanderbilt Cup Race

The date is around 1951 as it says on the sign in the center and there doesn’t appear to be any buildings.  Since they were demolished in 1951, it would have to be 1951 at the earliest, not 1946 as I previously stated.  My guess would be the Long Island Fair in 1951

From Mystery Foto #48 Solved: The 1954 Roosevelt Raceway Parade Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the First Vanderbilt Cup Race