Vanderbilt Cup Races

Super sleuthing, Howard! You’ve basically put this mystery to rest. A question about the two thumbnail photos on this page (both spectacular shots by the way). The lower one appears to show a rectangular cleared area to the left of the LIMP entrance…almost what I would imagine to be a parking lot. The upper one does not appear to have that structure. Is it possible that they were taken at different times—perhaps years apart?

From In Search of the Nassau Boulevard Toll Booth: Part III

Thanks so much for the positive comments! Much appreciated!!

Howard

From Video: The Alco Black Beast Racer Arrives On Long Island

Dennis:

As described in Part III, it is my opinion that there never was a Nassau Boulevard Toll Booth that straddled the Motor Parkway in Fresh Meadows, but a small kiosk that was never manned.

Enjoy,

Howard

From In Search of the Nassau Boulevard Toll Booth: Part I

Art:

Welcome to VanderbiltCupRaces.com!

Howard

From In Search of the Nassau Boulevard Toll Booth: Part III

Howard, New to this site and believe what you are doing is vital and interesting. I grew up in Suffolk off Vanderbilt Motor Parkway (In that area Vanderbilt name is included) and always wondered even as a child how it was when it was the only Highway. Avid Automobile lover too and a novice.
Arthur

From In Search of the Nassau Boulevard Toll Booth: Part III

I can’t wait to hear about this!

From In Search of the Nassau Boulevard Toll Booth: Part I

Always a great time!  Met some very interesting people.  Regards,  Walter

From A Fun Alco Gathering

Mark:

Thanks for the comment. I agree the gentleman on the far left is David Bruce-Brown, winner of the 1910 and 1911 American Grand Prize races.

Enjoy,

Howard

From Harry Grant at the First Indy 500 Race

Hi Howard.

I can tell you with some confidence that the tall man with the thick mane on the left is David Bruce-Brown. I am equally confident that the man on the far right is Hughie Hughes. Less certain, but I think a pretty fair guess is that the man standing to Harry’s left is Johnny Aitken. Also, I believe the man standing just left of Aitken is Bill Endicott.

If you know the answers, I’d love to know. If not, I can see about getting the drivers properly identified.

Mark

From Harry Grant at the First Indy 500 Race

To All Vanderbilt Cup Race fans: If you haven’t seen the Alco Black Beast Racer in person…. get to an up-close showing.  It’s a real treat!

Rich

From A Fun Alco Gathering

Howard:  It just keeps getting better and better.  Be well. Tom

From Video: The Alco Black Beast Racer Arrives On Long Island

Thank you very much, Howard.  That last photo was one of deja vu.  I didn’t think a photo still existed.  Fantastic website. The building deteriorated even more before it was finally demolished.
I also remember vividly the Massapequa Lodge.  That building was still at the rear exit of the 8th Precinct stationhouse (at Rte. 107/Hicksville Road) when I worked there in 1963.

From The Bethpage Lodge (1910-1960s): A Classic Repost from 2009

Howard thank you my great grandfather raced that beauty   Chris

From Video: The Alco Black Beast Racer Arrives On Long Island

New Owner!  Congratulations Howard!  Will we see this storming the access road at the Nassau Museum next year?

From Video: The Alco Black Beast Racer Arrives On Long Island

Howard,

Our Great Grandfather Harry Grant would be proud to see what you have accomplished.  Thank You

From Video: The Alco Black Beast Racer Arrives On Long Island

I respectfully ask T.L. if they also have the 1903 photograph attributed to being W.G. Faatz on a Google book site apparently titled- ‘Johnson City Firefighting’ by
Robert G. Blakeslee and Michael J. McCann. In the photo the blurb describes W.G. Faatz in his Chief Engineer firefighter uniform as a member of the Lestershire F.D. sitting behind the wheel of the town’s first automobile. The question I have is that he somewhat resembles the passenger in the mystery photo above, yet the ear shape appears different. I’m inclined to believe an accredited photo description a bit over one that is not. Bushy black eyebrows and a strong jawline can be similar on several men- particularly in that time frame. Ears are similar to fingerprints in that they are distinctive in shape and detail. the photo above shows a laid back pointed ear with tucked in lobe. The ear shape in the firefighter photo from a few years prior, apparently, shows a tucked in lobe but the top of the ear is not laid back or compressed and there is no peak at the rear- it’s rounded. I haven’t yet downloaded and enlarged the firefighter photo to take a closer look- but that is my preliminary view. Thanks.
Steve A

From Update on the Latest Mystery Photo!

Comment from Robert R.:

WHOOPEE!

Wonderful.

Cannot believe it actually has an on-board starter.

Thanks, Howard.

ROBERT

From The Alco-6 Racer Gets Fired Up

Comment from Tony De Seta:

Hello Howard,

What an exciting automobile! They called them fire breathing beasts back then,with good reason.
I can still remember like it was yesteday,when I had the good fortune to be at Hershey in the early 1980s when the Old #16 was being shown. I was right there when they fired her up for the drive off the judging area. I would love to see that big ALCO Vanderbilt Cup winner!

Best Regards,

Tony De Seta
Spring Grove,PA

From The Alco-6 Racer Gets Fired Up

Outstanding Howard!!!  Glad to see “the Beast” made it home in good order.  She sounds fantastic.

From The Alco-6 Racer Gets Fired Up

Comment from Richard R, East Hills, New York:

OK…Gentlemen: Start your engines!! Ready to put’er in gear..and let’s get rolling. Very exciting!

Rich

From The Alco-6 Racer Gets Fired Up