Vanderbilt Cup Races

Gerald:

Thanks for the comment. Check out the recent Old 16 video on the blog. After 100 years, Old 16 still can race!

Howard

From Old 16 Locomobile: The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Winner

Fascinating blend of Long Island history, geography and the “automobile” which is an integral part of American culture.  Unfortunately, I am travelling this wekend and the weekend of October 17, but will forward to my company’s professionals and staff who live on Long Island.

From Old 16 Locomobile: The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Winner

Richard:

I hope you enjoy it! The exhibit will be expanded with Vanderbilt Cup Race and Long Island Motor Parkway memorabilia, artwork and videos at the Nassau County Museum of Art on Friday,October 17th to Sunday, October 19th.

Howard

From New Exhibit on the Long Island Motor Parkway and Vanderbilt Cup Races at Roosevelt Field Mall

Looks really sharp.  I’m going to pay a visit this weekend, even tho’ I hate going to the mall.

From New Exhibit on the Long Island Motor Parkway and Vanderbilt Cup Races at Roosevelt Field Mall

The Long Island Motor Parkway Sweepstakes

To encourage as many cars on the course as possible for spectator excitement and involvement, three simultaneous races were run during both the 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races; the Vanderbilt Cup Race, the Wheatley Hills Sweepstakes and the Massapequa Sweepstakes. The two sweepstakes were designed for smaller commercially-produced stock cars. The Wheatley Hills Sweepstakes cars were held to a minimum weight of 1,700 pounds and an engine displacement between 231 and 300 cubic inches. The Massapequa Sweepstakes cars were required to be at least 1,400 pounds with engine sizes ranging between 161 and 230 cubic inches.

The distance for the Wheatley Hills Sweepstakes was set for 15 laps or 189.6 miles while the Massapequa Sweepstakes was scheduled for 10 laps or 126.4 miles. Entry fees for both car categories were $250 with prizes of $1,000 for the winners. The Wheatley Hills Sweepstakes was scheduled to start an hour after the Vanderbilt Cup Race and the Massapequa Sweepstakes still another half-hour later.

The Massapequa Sweepstakes

The field for the Massapequa Sweepstakes was a mere five cars.

Billy Knipper, who drove valiantly in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race, put his bright red Lancia, the only foreign car in the race, to good use. He leapt out to a minute lead over second place Bill Endicott’s Cole “30”  in the first lap.
The first lap was costly for Abbott-Detroit driver V. Padula, who hit a telegraph pole and added to the growing clutter of the Massapequa turn just after the Motor Parkway portion of the course. Padula was hospitalized for injuries and his car was severely damaged.

Knipper steadily widened his lead through the seventh lap when he accumulated nearly a 10-minute margin. But the Massapequa turn collected another victim when Knipper overshot the corner and slammed into another telegraph pole.  For the second time in a week, Knipper and mechanician, August Guishard, who were involved in the practice scrape with Bob Burman, were again launched from the seats of their Lancia. This time the landing wasn’t so easy on Knipper, who broke a leg in the fall. Adding to the event’s growing list of casualties, another spectator, Morris Levinson, was struck by the Lancia and suffered a broken leg as well.

With Knipper gone, Bill Endicott in the Cole “30” won by nearly 5 minutes over an Abbott-Detroit handled by Mortimer Roberts. A second Cole “30” driven by Louis Edmunds finished third. Endicott’s winning time was 2 hours, 18 minutes, 4 seconds for a speed average of 54.9 miles per hour.

From Vanderbilia: The 1910 Cole Plaque

Johannes:

Grandpa was Edward Parker who drove the #14 Fiat to a second-place finish in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup. Here is an image of Parker driving during the race: http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/drivers/driver/parker .

This is also a link to Edward Parker’s driving record from 1909 to 1911: http://www.champcarstats.com/drivers/ParkerEdward.htm

I truly have a blast driving the 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350H and will bring it to the upcoming Centennial events on Long Island on September 14th and October 19th.

Enjoy!

Howard

From Calling All Vanderbilt Cup Race Families

Thank you so much for answering my question so quickly! Wow - you never know what you have. The book iteself is in perfect condition except for the cover and back (the cover came off, but I have it with the book). I will put this up in a safe place for my son when he gets older.

Thank you again!

Heather

From Vanderbilia Question: The 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Program Guide

Heather,

You have a beautiful piece of Vanderbilia and a family heirloom!

The “Official Program Score Card and Guide of the Second International Race for the William K. Vanderbilt, Jr., Cup” was published by the trade magazine The Automobile in 1905. The guide is distinguished by its 4-color cover featuring images of the Vanderbilt Cup and flags of the four participating countries; United States, France, Germany and Italy. It is very likely that your great-grandparent attended the 1905 race on Long Island and purchased the guide.

Originally sold for 25 cents, I estimate that this difficult to find 96-page guide would bring in $1,000 to $2,500 at an auction depending on its condition.

Howard Kroplick

From Vanderbilia Question: The 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Program Guide

Dear Mr Kroplick,
A close friend of mine and fellow racer once showed me a fascinating scrap book about her grandfathers pursuit as a driver for the Fiat team, her maiden name is Parker and her grandfather drove the second finish car in the 1909 VCR. I am now trying to piece together his other starts, for example his participation as a relief driver for the #18 car driven by Eddie Hearne in the first ever Indy 500 (1911).Any leads you may have would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely Johannes.
PS Also I have raced the GT350 (Hertz) extensively on european tracks. It is an exciting car to drive.

From Calling All Vanderbilt Cup Race Families

I think the 3rd person in the picture might be my father. His face is somewhat obstructed by the steering wheel (but,looks like he might have looked in 1904).
My grandfather (dad’s father) was the Secretary of the New York Central Railroad for many years. I have pictures of the Pardee private railroad car (#99). I also have pictures of a few of the cars the family owned, they are:
1904 Queen 2 cylinder
???? Bertliet (French)
1906 Oldsmobile roadster (my dad at the wheel)
1910 Buick (grandfather getting in)
Also there is a picture of a group of Maxwells dated 1909 at Vendor, N.J.
My brother & sister may have more. I will check.
Thanks for all your help,
Dwight

From Question of the Week: Can you Identify this Signed Willie K. Photo?

Howard,

Thanks for the information on the Vanderbilt Cup Races!

Ron

From Question of the Week: Can you Identify this Signed Willie K. Photo?

Dwight, your signed photo documents the zenith of Vanderbilt’s racing career at the Daytona-Ormond Beach Automobile Tournament of January 1904. The Mercedes with Willie K. as the driver was shot on the beach with the Atlantic Ocean in the background.The identification of the two other men in the car is still a mystery. Based on other images in my collection, the man with the mustache was “Henry” and the young man initials were “R.C.W. Jr.”.  At the 1904 tournament, in addition to seeting the one-mile land speed record at 92.3 mph, Vanderbilt won everything he entered, except for a 1-mile battle with Barney Oldfield. In addition to winning all his elimination heats, he scored victories in the five-mile free for all, the one-mile invitational race, the five-mile invitational, the ten-mile invitational and the 50-mile free-for-all championship. By the time the contests ended on Saturday, Vanderbilt racked up records for 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 miles.

A racing photo signed by William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. is rare and should be cherished as a family heirloom. If it was to go to auction, I estimate the value to be over $2,000.
Enjoy!
Howard Kroplick

From Question of the Week: Can you Identify this Signed Willie K. Photo?

Dear Mr. Kroplick,
Would you consider giving a presentation to members of our car club (the Peconic Bay Region of the AACA) about the Vanderbilt races? If possible, would you consider some time in Nov.?

Regards,
George Bartunek

From Film "The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race"

Gorgeous photos!

From The Alco Black Beast: Winner of the 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races

Ken:

Thanks for the email and the book pre-order.

Al and I plan to have several book signings in the Fall. Keep checking this website for event updates.

Enjoy!

Howard

From New Book from Howard Kroplick and Al Velocci "The Long Island Motor Parkway"

Howard:  What a terrific link.  Thanks for sharing it.  Be well.  Tom

From The Alco Black Beast: Winner of the 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races

Will you be having an in-store signing? I’ve pre-ordered the book already. Congrats!

From New Book from Howard Kroplick and Al Velocci "The Long Island Motor Parkway"

Tom:

Thanks again for the positive comment. I am pleased that I can share this information with your family. You should be very proud of Harry Grant’ achievements.

Howard

From Driver Profile: Harry Grant -Winner of the 1909 & 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races

Mark:

Thanks for the feedback and all your contributions to the website and my first book!

Howard

From New Book from Howard Kroplick and Al Velocci "The Long Island Motor Parkway"

Looks good, Howard! Congratualtions!
I’ll get a copy when its available. I continue to be impressed with this site.

-Mark

From New Book from Howard Kroplick and Al Velocci "The Long Island Motor Parkway"