Vanderbilt Cup Races

2-17-31, there’s a lot of signs on that pole!

From Long Island Motor Parkway Photos From the NYC Municipal Archives

I’m going to say that they printed a photo of WKV senior instead of Willie K Jr.

From Roslyn News: A Day with the Vanderbilts

-Which Vanderbilt Cup Racer did he own?
-Which Vanderbilt Cup Race(s) did he enter his racer?

Owner of the FIAT driven by Paul Sartori in the 1904 and 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Races.

-In what other ways was he connected to the Vanderbilt Cup Races and the Long Island Motor Parkway?

Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt (1877-1915) was William K. Vanderbilt Jr.‘s cousin

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, Owner of Paul Sartori's FIAT

Alfred Vanderbilt, who sacrificed his own life so that others could survive on the doomed RMS Lusitania.

From Mystery Foto #2 Solved: Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, Owner of Paul Sartori's FIAT

“East View of Toll Gate” image was taken from southeast to northwest, I think. The 3 are pictured in the shadow cast by the afternoon sun. The youngest looking one nicknamed “Chief” couldn’t possibly be in charge of the older 2 ( unless he’s an unknown Vanderbilt ). “Van” is short for the name Vance. Maybe Al’s book has names of Kiosk collectors?

From Surveyor Clinton Robertson Photo Album: The Jericho Toll Lodge (Kiosk) in Mineola

Thanks for the nice words, Frank and Brian. Yes, the LIRR had a Wading River extension from 1895-1938/39 going east from Port Jefferson.  Lots on the internet about it, some railroad fans would probably enjoy tracing its route.  Here’s one site.
http://lioddities.com/transprotation/lirr-wading-river-branch.html

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: Locust Grove Section of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

Howard, thank you!  Never seen this drawing of my Grandfather George.  Will try and visit the museum   Best wishes, Peter
_____________________________
Howard Kroplick

Peter, Dr. Simeone would be thrilled to meet you. I suggest calling the museum in advance of the visit.

From From the Simeone Foundation: A Peter Helck Sketch of Two Vanderbilt Cup Race Winners

Art - As per Brian, ditto, another great find. Thanks!
Brian - Wading River line? Never heard of it. So much hidden stuff

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: Locust Grove Section of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

Hi I too am tracing my family tree. Herb was my gt gt uncle. I am related to Gerturde Fanny Harbord, his first wife. I would love to be out in contact with Claude if at all possible. Love this page have been following Herb and his racing for a while! Thanks

From Herb Lytle's Great-Great-Grandson Takes a Ride in the Alco Black Beast

Nice pics for us old car buffs!

From From A Grandfather's Photo Album: The Durant Special on the Motor Parkway in 1923

Nice job, Art! I was looking around for an old image, glad you located one. See that this branch was named Wading River. Know the LIRR abandoned the service east from Port Jefferson and the rest is history

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: Locust Grove Section of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

I believe this photo is looking north with RR track curving slightly on the east side. If true, the only possibility is Jerusalem Ave, Hicksville with auto heading south. The 1904 VCR was the only event that passed through here. If not looking north, my answer is incorrect.
Impossible to guess photo’s location without the Vanderbilt race course hint, but what a fantastic view of old Long Island as it was. Great stuff! Thanks Howard.

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: Locust Grove Section of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

Not being a location expert, I would like to say only something about the subject in the photo which is my expertise, which is the car and which appears to be a 1907 Garford touring car. Probably the same car features on another photograph in an album on the building of the bridges of the Motor Parkway, which appeared on this site some time ago. Unfortunately the resolution of both pictures is not high enough to get a clear view of the logo or script on the radiator, so I hope a better scan can be shown of this car to see what it looks like. The presence of this car on the mystery photo probably places the scene in (the summer of) 1908.

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: Locust Grove Section of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

Correct me if wrong, but the ban on public road racing in NY State was after spectator injuries at Watkins Glen and a driver fatality at Bridgehampton. That led to the building of those two closed courses, so it wasn’t all bad.

From Updated: 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Race Photos From the NYC Municipal Archives

Auto A is a ‘54 Dodge, possibly a Coronet.

From Roslyn Grist Mill Mystery Automobiles

1908 cup race, crossing central park X’ing
James ryall number 7 matheson car

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: Locust Grove Section of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

Identify the exact location of the Mystery Foto:
Looking east, LIRR crossing Jericho Turnpike in Syosset (Locust Grove)

Which Vanderbilt Cup Race(s) was run on this section of the course?
1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes and the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Which race car caught fire in this section:
Actually two - Foxhall Keene’s #18 Mercedes (Finished 11th) and Emil Stricker’
s #3 Mercedes (Finished 6).  Maybe there should have been a Mercedes recall due to the fires. 

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: Locust Grove Section of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

The Automobile A is 1954 Dodge Coronet/Royal? V-8 2-dr Club Coupe.
The Automobile B is 1929 Ford Model A Sport Coupe.

From Roslyn Grist Mill Mystery Automobiles

Update: Close-ups of the spectators’ automobiles were added.

From Updated: 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Race Photos From the NYC Municipal Archives

Update: The description of the #5 and #14 racers were corrected.

From Updated: 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Race Photos From the NYC Municipal Archives