Vanderbilt Cup Races

Elliot Shepard driving a Hotchkiss in the 1906 race.  He was a cousin of William K. Vanderbilt.
His car struck and killed a pedestrian during the race at Jericho Turnpike, which prompted Vanderbilt to begin construction of a closed racecourse (the LIMP).
This race marked the first time a checkered flag was used at the finish line.

From Mystery Foto #12 Solved: #6 Hotchkiss driven by Elliot Shepard Jr. in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Mystery Foto #12… The driver is Elliot Shepard, Jr. driving the 130 HP French Hotchkiss. He was competing in the 1906 Cup race. During the race the Hotchkiss hit and killed a spectator near Krug’s Hotel on Jericho turnpike. This accident led to an outcry for more safety at these races… and that there should no longer be racing on public roads. This situation giving birth to the idea of a road built specifically for autos and racing… thus leading to plans for creating the Long island Motor Parkway.

From Mystery Foto #12 Solved: #6 Hotchkiss driven by Elliot Shepard Jr. in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

The Tucker stories continues to amaze.  Great history and photos!

From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: Tucker 1043 -The Most Expensive Tucker '48 Ever Purchased at Auction

Sarge and I were shocked and grieved to read of Guy’s death. Our thoughts are with Donna and their children, even as we remember with pleasure the time we spent with the Frosts in Roslyn. I, too, was a protege of the Gerrys, and met Guy in the course of that in 1972. I don’t know how many house tours and restoration projects we shared, but I will never forget how Guy would often disagree with Roger over some point or detail - and he always lived to tell the tale!

From A Tribute to Guy Frost (1934-2019)

It was an honor and a real pleasure to know Guy Frost and have many conversations with him and enjoy and participate in the Centennial Celebrations of the Vanderbilt Cup Races. He was a true genuine enthusiast , a really special person. We are all so fortunate to have Guy among us in our common pursuit of long island history.

From A Tribute to Guy Frost (1934-2019)

I think that might be Elliot F. Shepard, Jr. in a French Hotchkiss racer which only competed in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race. The impact of this racer and driver is that he “impacted” with spectator Curt Gruner in Mineola causing his demise. This led to W. K. Vanderbilt developing plans for a private motor speedway and the building of the Long Island Motor Parkway.

From Mystery Foto #12 Solved: #6 Hotchkiss driven by Elliot Shepard Jr. in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

The floor in the big building looks to be in very nice shape…
I didn’t see the smaller building in the back in the vintage video. Anybody know when that structure was added to the property?
Didn’t this property sell for a hefty price due to its zip code? Much too expensive to just use it for storage , I assume….
Wondering what plans the owner has in store…..
Just some of my thoughts…..

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

Thank you for documenting and sharing these videos Howard. Must have been a sad day when the museum closed. Good to see that the buildings are utilized. Thanks for sharing your memories Walt.

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

This is great news about the Long Island Automotive Museum. Thank you Howard

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

Sam, don’t think yourself as old, it’ll only make you older. Your work is so much appreciated now by many and for many more generations to come. Maintain Sam III speed as usual, and as fluent as you do. You’ll be glad you did. I wouldn’t have it any other way, as I’m sure many others wouldn’t as well.   

From The 1917 Curtiss Autoplane-An Aerial Limousine Built in Garden City

As a matter of fact, I went by the Southampton museum today on my way out to the Bridgehampton Museum. every time I go out there I automatically look for the museum. thanks for the videos

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

Great that it is being used and that the grounds have been cleaned up. Thanks for taking the time to video it and updating the rest of us….

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

The light colored Roadster is by Locke. 1926 was the first year for that body. They had 21” wire wheels.

From Hemmings Classic Car: Roslyn Motors Long Island's exclusive dealer of coachbuilt 1920s Lincoln

-Identify the driver and the race car
#6 Hotchkiss driven by William K.Vanderbilt Jr.‘s cousin Elliot Shepard

-In which Vanderbilt Cup Race did this race car compete?
Finished 15th in the 1906 race.

-What was the impact of this driver and racer on Long Island history?
Killed spectator in Mineola during Lap 7 creating the need for the LI Motor Parkway to remove a portion of the race off public roads.

From Mystery Foto #12 Solved: #6 Hotchkiss driven by Elliot Shepard Jr. in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Those buildings were put up in 1947 or 1948. Amazing they have not totally rusted away considering that the ocean is not terribly far away, salt sea air etc. I spent many happy hours there, have many many stories and memories of the man, the cars, the friends etc. Perhaps one of the fondest memories was the party Austin had when the museum closed and he had a traditional jazz band there to play a New Orleans style wake. Cartoonist Charles Addams ( of the Addams family) was there for the wake with his wife Tee, and wore a black arm band that night in tribute to the museum closing.  Austin loved traditional jazz and he and I would go into NY City to Jimmy Ryan’s jazz club on West 54th street often. The Iron Range Days he held were absolutely great ( when you were invited to buy parts etc) It was from that site that Austin gave me a ride in his type 35 Mercer raceabout up North Sea Road and back down again to the museum, and he told me we had the car up to nearly 100 mph. It was interesting trying to stay in that car on a bucket seat with no seat belt, doors , windshield etc. Fond memories of the great fellows who he had working for him there like father and son Eddie and Lance Aldrich too. All kinds of good stuff - when back in the ‘truck barn’ up on a ladder and looking in a bin 20 feet off the ground having a racoon stare back at me as I looked into one of the bins…...............the circa WWI era carved oak table that was in the lobby that had brochures of local sites piled on it I bought from Austin as well as a matching china cabinet and those have resided in my house now for about 40+ years , and fond memories are generated every time I look at them.

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

Everyone , I would greatly appreciate ANY comments regarding this dealership and who may have worked for them in any capacity . I am very happy the HCC decided to publish this and turn the spotlight on long island, our home base,  once again!
To all of you that I had the opportunity to say hello to in person recently at the Waterfront Garage event (that Howard hosted for us to see the his amazing restored Tucker) it was indeed a great pleasure . Thank you so very much for your gracious comments regarding the stories that I am having published in HCC on a regular basis. Thanks too , to Howard for having us over to his great “car place” to see the cars, and all the cool stuff that he and Ian Z. too, have collected. Santa’s toy shop on long island! It doesn’t get any better then this.

From Hemmings Classic Car: Roslyn Motors Long Island's exclusive dealer of coachbuilt 1920s Lincoln

What a beautiful restoration and Waltz blue tone that brought back an early memory of a ‘67 Camaro. More amazing painstaking work done correctly. Tucker’s 1043 and 1044 in my opinion are now running neck to neck towards the perfection finish line. Congrats!

From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: Tucker 1043 -The Most Expensive Tucker '48 Ever Purchased at Auction

marty ;
  the pickers are coming to new York in may interested ?                             
                                              don

From Images From the Himes Museum of Motor Racing Nostalgia in Bay Shore

I never actually been here when it was active, but definitely enjoyed learning of the museum’s history and Henry Austin Clark of course. Norsic Family said they would utilize the property & buildings, and that’s exactly what is seen here. Thanks for documenting, Howard.

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

Tucker #1043 color Waltz Blue.
Picture as taken possibly the 1970s judging by cars in the background of the picture Location Bellwood Illinois
Tucker 1043 is the most expensive Tucker sold to date at 2.915 million with fees.

From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: Tucker 1043 -The Most Expensive Tucker '48 Ever Purchased at Auction