Vanderbilt Cup Races

Only recognizing Willie K, Jefferson De Mont Thomson (chairman of the cup commission) Reggie Vanderbilt, maybe A.L. Riker, (unsure about the last) standing at the grandstands of the 1906 Cup Race.

From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Officials of the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race and Reginald Vanderbilt

The 1955 Lincoln Futura Concept Batmobile (1966) in my opinion will always be a tough design to beat. I tried comparing but I cannot find anywhere a 1967 Impala on the 1989 Batmobile, not even the doors match!

From Current Treasures of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles

Hello Howard, thanks for a fun tour at the Peterson Museum!  Here’s a picture of George Barris (designer of the original Batmobile) and me in my art booth at the Glenmoor Gathering in Ohio, circa 2009.  George was often the Grand Marshall, sweet guy and full of great stories (he pointed out people in my art for whom he had done custom car work).
Best wishes, Chris Osborne

From Current Treasures of the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles

Agreed. Your recollection’s and others are always deeply appreciated, Bob! Thought my 12 pound sledgehammer was a beast, extra 4 lbs makes a BIG difference.

From Mystery Foto #25 Solved: Lancia Taking a Manhasset Turn at the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Hmm.  I can’t help but wonder if the #6 Apperson was actually a Jackrabbit.  The “Jackrabbit” was only first introduced as a Speedster in 1908 and the whole line briefly became “Jack Rabbits” around the time of the race or so.  Speedsters were short wheelbase cars and the #6 appears to be on a long wheelbase chassis (as were most racers).  Anyone know?  The Master Nitpicker strikes again!  Sam, III

P. S. - Sorry about the above levity - the REAL sign is now appended.

From Mystery Foto #26 Solved: The Dangerous Newbridge Avenue Bridge on 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

This is deadman’s curve with the LIRR bridge in the background. Thanks Howard for posting this picture.Regards,Gene

From Mystery Foto #26 Solved: The Dangerous Newbridge Avenue Bridge on 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

Mystery Foto #26…photo shows Meadowbrook Bridge in East Meadow looking northeast.
This photo was shot during the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race. The car is a 1909 Apperson Jackrabbit driven by Hugh Harding. A year later a tragic crash happened at this location when Harold Stone lost control of his Columbia racer. The car ran off the bridge, killing mechanician Matthew Bacon. Though reported as killed in this crash, driver Stone survived and recovered from his injuries.

From Mystery Foto #26 Solved: The Dangerous Newbridge Avenue Bridge on 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

O. K.  I well remember using crank phones and party lines out on the East End and upstate and in New England but I sure have no idea how one paid for a call pre-plastic, before coin-op. public phones were commonplace.  Anyone?  Mayhap the LIMP or Willie K. paid for that system.  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #25 Solved: Lancia Taking a Manhasset Turn at the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Interesting.  That blacksmith shop was owned and operated by my great grandfather Schneider.  It continued to operate (I was told) until the early 50’s by my father’s uncle.  I was born in 1950 so I have no recollection of it.  Dad ended up with a few old tools from the place and I ended up with a 16 lb. sledge hammer from my father.
I wonder if Johnny Brooks (the boy that was run over by one of the cars) was a relation, since my middle name is Brooks.  I never really understood why my folks named me Brooks; going through our family tree there was a Brooks who was a stone mason in Great Neck (in the mid-1800’s as I recall) who married an Allen or whose daughter married an Allen.  But apparently my folks just like the name and didn’t have very clear feelings about Brooks.
So thank you Howard and friends for all this interesting material you put out.
Robert Brooks Allen - Bob
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Howard Kroplick

Bob, that is so neat!

From Mystery Foto #25 Solved: Lancia Taking a Manhasset Turn at the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

I think that’s Herb Lytle driving the #6 Isotta having just gone over the “Meadowbrook” bridge which went over Newbridge Avenue (Bellmore Road) during the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. The photographer is facing west from a position on top of the Stewart Avenue bridge in the Salisbury Plains area.  During the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race, Driver Harold Stone lost control of his Columbia racer, went off the road and crashed, killing his mechanician Matthew (William?) Bacon. This and other prior fatalities lead to the end of racing on Long Island’s public roads.

From Mystery Foto #26 Solved: The Dangerous Newbridge Avenue Bridge on 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

No comment (I’ve forgotten this one) but, OH!, how I’d love to know what the sign, facing away at left, reads [“magic” - appended!].  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #26 Solved: The Dangerous Newbridge Avenue Bridge on 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

Yee-hah!  Wunderbar!  Thanks, G.C.; this makes me *SO* happy.  I just “happen” to have a 1999 B&W pic of the LIMP RoW at Raymond Court on my Nassau County 2005 parks proposal page, <http://sbiii.com/limpncpk.html>.  It’s Photo T5 and I’m appending it here.  Sam, III

From Update #1: Village of Garden City Uncovers the Motor Parkway Near Raymond Court

At a time when it’s easier to just obliterate history, I’m glad to see that it seems there is some respect for the origins of this historic motor parkway. Thanks to Al for reporting and Howard for taking pix.

From Update #1: Village of Garden City Uncovers the Motor Parkway Near Raymond Court

This is by far the best auto related event me and my son Gram attend all year. Superb in every way… Exciting, Great cars, great people, great organizers and the perfect locations. Long may it run!!!
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Howard Kroplick

Next year, the Alco Black Beast will be there with a new radiator!

From Hemmings Blog: On the ground at the 2019 Port Washington Hill Climb

Hemmings Classic Car magazine has been giving long island historic car related events some great coverage recently. This item as well as the story on the Roslyn Lincoln dealership seen recently that all went together because of you, me and Ian Z.
( ok,  I didn’t mean for those last few words to rhyme but they do ) !
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Howard Kroplick

Keep up your great work at Hemmings!

From Hemmings Classic Car: The Vanderbilt Cup- America's first internationally recognized road-race

Thanks Garden City

From Update #1: Village of Garden City Uncovers the Motor Parkway Near Raymond Court

Another incredible photo.  Standing alone, it’s hard for me to tell if this is Long Island or Nebraska!

From Mystery Foto #26 Solved: The Dangerous Newbridge Avenue Bridge on 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

Hello Kurt,
I am writing an article about your grandfather and the 100th anniversary of his company in 2020.
I found a lot of informations, that I can send to you.
I attached 2 of the most spectacular photos-
a HEIM, that raced 1922 at Monza (with the driver Reinhold Stahl)
and 1911 Nikolaus race, that your grandfather won. Zar Nikolaus II himself gives the price to the BENZ team and I think it´s your grandfather, that takes the price.
Please contact me, if you have further questions or informations
kind regards
Dietrich

From Search: Information and Photos of Franz Heim. Submitted by Kurt Heim (January 9, 2015)

Wonder what the charge was for the telephone call, and local or long distance?

From Mystery Foto #25 Solved: Lancia Taking a Manhasset Turn at the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Thinking the future parking area will be accessed from Roosevelt Field? Don’t think the residents on Raymond Ct desire their block to become a thru way?

From Update #1: Village of Garden City Uncovers the Motor Parkway Near Raymond Court