Vanderbilt Cup Races

Amazing capture of the old Motor Parkway roadway underpass below Jericho Tpke in Mineola; photo is looking north in the ‘60s. The original Mineola Lodge still exists nearby today, though expanded but still recognizable

From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved; Fred Rieder at the Jericho Turnpike Highway Bridge in 1954/1955

We are looking north at the Jericho Turnpike highway bridge over the LIMP in Mineola. Since this area was filled in during the widening of Jericho Turnpike in the early 1960’s, this photo was probably taken around 1960. Other nearby LIMP structures that would have existed in 1960 are: the Mineola Lodge (converted to a residence); the LIRR bridge about a half mile south; and possibly the golfway bridge at the Wheatley Hills Golf Club about a half mile north.

From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved; Fred Rieder at the Jericho Turnpike Highway Bridge in 1954/1955

This is the Jericho Turnpike highway bridge, looking north as Jericho Tpke crosses over the remnants of the LIMP.

Due to the condition of the road, I would say it has ling been abandoned (long after the 1939 closing) and the bicycles and clothes look 1950’s to me.

The toll lodge, or part of it, is thought to now be part of a home a few blocks away.

From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved; Fred Rieder at the Jericho Turnpike Highway Bridge in 1954/1955

The LIMP bridge over Jericho Tpke in Mineola.  Looking north, the building we see on the left and the power line are still there today.  From these old pictures it looks like they just buried the bridge.  This picture appears to be about 1955-1960 to me.  The toll house just to the left of the picture is still there.

From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved; Fred Rieder at the Jericho Turnpike Highway Bridge in 1954/1955

Hi Greg,
Thanks about the names. I thought so too, but wasn’t sure. At some point I figured he might have had a brother as there were more confusing racing brothers in these days like the Farman brothers and especially the Guinness brothers.
About the steering wheel, that will need some research still indeed.

From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: #1 Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup Race Driver Jim Florida

The wood wheel is wrapped possibly with leather in the photos of the restored #1 Locomobile in the links I posted above, but unsure how accurate the restoration was.

From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: #1 Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup Race Driver Jim Florida

Ariejan- I am unsure about the wheel, but Florida went by all 3 names at any given time.

From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: #1 Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup Race Driver Jim Florida

Amazing early Motor artifact still existing today! VERY RARE. Thanks for sharing!

From A rare 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race Contestant Ribbon Badge manufactured by The Whitehead & Hoag Co.

I didn’t expect nobody to come up with the answer, so I forgot all about it. However in my research last week after the mystery photo two questions came up:
The first one is: I find for Florida not only Jim, but also Joe and James as his first name. Which of these is the correct one?
My main interest in the photo however is the steering wheel, showing an interesting pattern that intrigues me. Normally the steering wheels are wrapped with a ribbon for a better grip, but that seems to be absent here (still). The steering wheel of the Old No.16 (in the Ford Museum ?) is made of wood, but on an older picture (from a post on TheOldMotor.com) you can observe the same steering wheel pattern. So my question is: what is it made of? Probably the answer is simple, but does anybody know?

From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: #1 Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup Race Driver Jim Florida

I checked out the lot list before the auction and knew you would be there Howard.
Nice item to add to your collection. There were other Vanderbilia items of interest as well.

From A rare 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race Contestant Ribbon Badge manufactured by The Whitehead & Hoag Co.

Wonderful job Greg If anyone is interested in a presentation about many of the gentleman and thier equestrian adventures in NYC and Long Island let me know Jerry and Rita

From The REAL ladies of The Gilded Age from Julian Fellowes' HBO Show, 'The Gilded Age'

Nice job and research, Greg. I’ve definitely become a fan of this series. Perhaps they need some extras? lol Quite sad that Pastor Frank had such a hard & quick passing. Frank & Ada were just beginning to enjoy their lives together. Have to say the Van Rhijns & the staff were quite relieved with the Fortune that Frank left for Ada. I can see Agnes being a sound advisor for Ada with the finances. Looking so forward to Season 3 : )

From The REAL ladies of The Gilded Age from Julian Fellowes' HBO Show, 'The Gilded Age'

Is the actual name of the Cup Race, what is says on the ribbon?

From A rare 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race Contestant Ribbon Badge manufactured by The Whitehead & Hoag Co.

I think this might be Maurice Bernin and his mechanician Felix Prossen at the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race on October 8, 1904. Bernin drove the number 11 Renault and finished 17th.

From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: #1 Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup Race Driver Jim Florida

It is great to read about Whitehead & Hoag Company. It is rare to see the companies mentioned who produced some really fine quality items to supply to car manufacturers and auto accessory stores. I have know about W & H for decades and always look to check at the center on the back of cast emblems etc to see their makers mark. They had a huge volume of business . It is not often that manufacturers of auto related items are mentioned but it puts a whole new light on how things were provided and their important part in automotive history.

From A rare 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race Contestant Ribbon Badge manufactured by The Whitehead & Hoag Co.

Thanks Al and Art for the course details. Appears tough road conditions throughout the whole course. Westbound heading back was likely more treacherous with the hills along the north side. Surprised some completed the event in just two days. No doubt others were disabled enroute with multiple flat tires

From Mystery Friday Foto #13 Solved; A Long Journey to Montauk

Kelly Williams

I have never seen this image of the Pierce-Arrow! thanks for sharing. it would be fun to recreate it in model car kit form! - I build model kits in my free time and I always enjoy finding new inspiration for my next model build.

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Unpublished Long Island Automotive Museum Photos from 1958 to 1962, Part 6

Abigail, that’s amazing news visiting your grandparents at the old lodge. So glad your Mom Emma got to see her old house restored.

From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures: #9 Garden City Lodge

Marty. Himes was a dear, trusted friend of mine for more than sixty years.  He was a noted historian, a master storyteller and, most of all, a man of his word.  May he rest in peace.

From Update- Sad News: We have lost a Long Island racing icon and good friend Marty Himes

Marty Himes was a dear, trusted friend of mine for more than 60 years.  He was a noted historian, a master storyteller, and, most of all, a man of his word.  May he rest in peace.

From Update- Sad News: We have lost a Long Island racing icon and good friend Marty Himes