Vanderbilt Cup Races

Dave, you did it again…part of my life is in this , same as last week.  Two Streets parallel LIMP.  On the North, Foxcroft Rd, (where my aunt live and biked east from the eastern cul de sac.  On the south side is Bengeyfield Dr,  which when I was a boy in the 50"s and early 60’ I wasn’t aware of it.  Years later,  as a letter carrier in Williston Park I became familiar with it.  Your next week’s chapter will again spark another memory.  Thanks for LIMP’s “this is your life!”

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #5 Williston Park

When I was a kid I followed the track on my bike right over that bridge over the railroad tracks. I went to Ally Pond Part to the west after figuring out that the road turned in the golf course.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #5 Williston Park

Lots of controversy about this car. Supposedly created in modern times from an original road car to replicate a 1904 Peerless Green Dragon race car once driven by Barney Oldfield. Many modern owners with the car now in the Price museum in Utah. This car illustrates the problems associated with establishing provenance with restored racing cars and racing motorcycles.

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Peerless Green Dragon at the 2004 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance

Dave: Always enjoy your pictures.  Do I smell a coffee table picture book in the future?  Count me in; I’ll buy one.  Maybe Howard could work with you, Frank Femenias (map overlays) and have a book created as a fund raiser for the LIMP preservation group.
Frank: You were right back awhile ago when we emailed and I told you I first lived at 108 Campbell Ave. in Williston Park.  Now looking at the map, I was just a few blocks away from the LIMP.  I could even have some LIMP in my DNA. 😊
Thanks to all with the LIMP dedication.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #5 Williston Park

Yesterday I watched the RM Sotheby’s sale of the Guyton Collection .There were several Helck pieces of note including the very haunting “NIGHT RIDER ” I consider to be one of his finest pieces which sold for 40k plus fees ,a bargain.Now wish I had registered,all can be seen online.

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

Thumbs up again guys….Thanks for your effort….

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #5 Williston Park

Dear Howard: The car is one of at least 2 peerless aka Green Dragons. The first was built in 1903 by Moors for Peerless. At 17 liters, 80hp , 3 speed transmission, it was a formidable car but 1200 lbs overweight for the Gordon Bennett Race.  In 1904 it was driven by Joe Tracy. In 1908 by Ralph DePalma at Minn. State Fair. Barney Oldfield became its primary driver and rarely lost a race. I had the rare privilege to ride as navigator in the car you have pictured on a 52 mile Horseless Carriage Tour in 1999. At that time the car was owned by Richard King of Redding, CT who kindly invited me to ride in his car.  I wrote an article about my ride which appeared in the Horseless Carriage Gazette issue Jan/Feb 2000. It was called Biondi’s Run.  Don Meyer of New Jersey was the driver. Holding on for dear life, choking on the clouds of blue exhaust, deaf from the roar of the engine as we careened around country roads and towns,  it was the most wonderful experience!  To ride at speed in one of these monsters is the thrill of a lifetime and one definitely comes to quickly understand the perils of early
racing. At the time I rode in it the car sported the name Peerless in large red type on the hood. I would guess that this is not the original car but perhaps the second one built after Barney wrecked #1.  Thanks Dick for a really great memory of that ride.

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Peerless Green Dragon at the 2004 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance

Howard

One of the Peerless Green Dragons. Most famous pilot was Barney Oldfield. Picture was taken at Greenwich Concours some years back. Stanley ion the background was originally the property of Carlton Stanley. Current owner had got fish some parts of it out of the pond it was ditched in.

The Peerless was living in Connecticut at the time, in a well stocked garage. I remember it being driven to the Calf Pasture Beach Show one year through downtown Norwalk. Yes, it does belch flames through the exhaust stacks.

Keep up the good work!

John Harley

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Peerless Green Dragon at the 2004 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance

Sam and Dave always seem to top themselves.  These latest discoveries and their pictures are terrific!

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #5 Williston Park

Wow!  This one doesn’t look even VAGUELY familiar but I know where it was taken - directly in front of the cutest little Bugatti model or pedal car!  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Peerless Green Dragon at the 2004 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance

I grew up in Albertson in the 60’s, we were all over the LIMP, from the Old Courthouse Bridge to the stretch along side Harkness Boy Scout Camp to the RR Trestle. I had friends on Williams St. who had it in their backyard, one family put a basketball hoop in. I remember Albertson Fire Dept. Slo-pokes using the Pool road for tournament practice. I can’t imagine the speeds the racers got up to on the straightaway from Willis Ave., going over the RR Trestle, then over Roslyn Rd. just to have to hit the brakes to make that Right turn before Glen Cove Rd.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #5 Williston Park

Art Kleiner
More Images
Newsday July 28, 1973
Newsday December 18, 1973

From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: Old Northern Boulevard, Roslyn in the Early 1960s

Mystery Foto #17….Photographer standing on Old Northern Boulevard looking north east, clock tower somewhere behind him. As for the cars, there are at least two ‘61 Oldsmobile 98’s, the first car on the left being one of them. There is an early 50’s Chevy back in front of Anchorage Bar. The buildings, left to right ,are Roslyn Mill Tea House, Roslyn Bait and Tackle (maybe), Now a real estate office. Next building, Anchorage Bar and Grill.
Based on the year of the two Oldsmobiles I would say year is 1961 or 1962.

From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: Old Northern Boulevard, Roslyn in the Early 1960s

Hey John,  Once again the best for you and Dottie, it was a pleasure to work with you on Motor Parkway research and projects over the years.  All Parkway buffs are going to miss your presence at our meets.                                                                P.S. I hear there was a Motor Parkway spur in some part of Florida, please check it out. Al.

From John Cuocco Heads to Florida After 19 Years of Great Work

Thanks!

From John Cuocco Heads to Florida After 19 Years of Great Work

Ernie Finamore:
You’re losing a good man, Howard! I’ll miss seeing John at the events you bring the cars to, and the short, though informative conversations I’ve had with him in the past. Safe travels, good luck, and a very enjoyable retirement is wished to John and Dottie in Florida.
—Ernie Finamore :>)

From John Cuocco Heads to Florida After 19 Years of Great Work

Well… of course it’s Roslyn facing East (i.e. the Clock Tower is behind the photographer).  The car looks like an Edsel.  So, late 50s-early 60s?

From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: Old Northern Boulevard, Roslyn in the Early 1960s

Your contributions to help bring Howard’s adventures to us is appreciated . Hope Florida is not boring.

From John Cuocco Heads to Florida After 19 Years of Great Work

Tucker 1028’s new home will be in Maine, that’s great for us who live in the Northeast.
The price paid at auction was very fair considering this car’s rich history.
This Tucker still has it’s Original engine.
1028 was one of the 36 Tuckers finished before the factory closed in June 1948
1028 was one of the seven Tuckers (1026 through 1032) that went to the Indianapolis Speedway for endurance testing in September 1948.
congratulations to the new owners on your winning bid

From Tucker 1028 Sells for $1.8 Million at the Tupelo Automobile Museum Auction

The Location:
View looking east of Old Northern Blvd. in downtown Roslyn.
The Vehicles (front to rear by the curb):
1-1960 Olds 4dr. hardtop
2- 1964-66 Chevy truck
3-1961-62 Buick Skylark coupe
4-1963 Chevy sedan
Beyond unknown?
The Buildings:
Just the old grist mill - ‘Tea House’
The Likely Year of Photo:
Mid 1960s

From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: Old Northern Boulevard, Roslyn in the Early 1960s