Vanderbilt Cup Races

I’ve explored all of this really nice segment. Sadly most of it is not public or LIPA owned here and subject to development. Some just south of the school already is owned by private homes although I was able to sneak through the yards back around 2000 or so. The town of Huntington tried to get a trail easement on the LI Motor Parkway segment owned by Madonna Heights but they totally rejected any attempts to restrict future development of the old roadbed. Which is sad since the banked downhill curve in there is awesome!

From Updated: Femenias Findings- Exploring the Rustic Bagatelle Section of the Long Island Motor Parkway

As a member of the Studebaker Drivers Club LI chapter,  I had heard that a Studebaker was “disguised” as a Tucker, for, I think,  I shot of a car rolling over. Just wondering if anyone else ever heard that info.  Bob Andreocci
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Howard Kroplick

Bob, you are correct! Three cars were used to film the crash scene, a “before” version, with a fiberglass body, the car used to do the actual rollover was a Studebaker modified to look like a Tucker.

From Searching for the 22 Stars of Francis Ford Coppola's 1988 Film-Tucker: The Man and His Dream

Good one, Sam III !

From The Last Race: Film documents the beauty & intensity of racing at the last track on Long Island

Here to say this is William Kissam Vanderbilt 1, father to William Kissam Vanderbilt 2.

From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: Mid-Week Pictorial Announces the Death of William K. Vanderbilt in 1920

The hair may have given it away. This could be William Kissam Vanderbilt II, a.k.a. Willie K, in his fifties, around 1940s. Guessing the portrait was used to display the founding member of a university

From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: Mid-Week Pictorial Announces the Death of William K. Vanderbilt in 1920

Mystery Foto #46… The person in the rendering is none other than William K Vanderbilt II. He, of course, was the founder of the Vanderbilt Cup races as well as the builder the L.I. Motor Parkway.
Not sure when and why this pic was published in the “Mid-Week Pictorial”. My research turned up nothing.  I will guess it was at the time of his death in January 1944.

From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: Mid-Week Pictorial Announces the Death of William K. Vanderbilt in 1920

Freeport closed in the late ‘80s (when?) and the “Bridge” closed in 1998.  I remember midgets racing at Cedarhurst Stadium (now Lawrence High School); that’s where Bill Schindler quite literally lost his head - my Mom saw that horror.  Brian - how’d you ever get a racing license that young?  Sam, III

From The Last Race: Film documents the beauty & intensity of racing at the last track on Long Island

That last looks like the Main Line in Mineola; the Oyster Bay Branch bridge, between Albertson north of the LIMP RoW and Williston Park to the south west of the tracks and Roslyn to the east, is in a cut.  It’s probably facing east, towards Carle Place and Westbury, or you’d see the Mineola Junction appurtenances (Mineola Road bridge, station, village, etc.).  Sam, III

From Updated: Clinton Robertson Photo Album: Central Park Avenue/LIRR Motor Parkway Bridge in Bethpage

To hell with all those Tuckers - love !hat ‘46-48 Ford woodie!  Seriously, though, what’s the black rectangle off-center in front of the Tucker ‘way back at the curb?  Sam, III
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Howard Kroplick

My best guess is that it is a road sign.

From Searching for the 22 Stars of Francis Ford Coppola's 1988 Film-Tucker: The Man and His Dream

well, he may not have been a car of steel but my fellow musician, now deceased, was in the courtroom scene in Tucker. His name was Rudy Cipolla(1900-2000) and he taught and inspired mandolinist David Grisman. Cipolla is a celebrity in the world of mandolins!

From Searching for the 22 Stars of Francis Ford Coppola's 1988 Film-Tucker: The Man and His Dream

Update: Added photo of four-year old Brian McCarthy at Riverhead Raceway.

From The Last Race: Film documents the beauty & intensity of racing at the last track on Long Island

I look forward for your rare photos—keep up the good work.

From Updated: Clinton Robertson Photo Album: Central Park Avenue/LIRR Motor Parkway Bridge in Bethpage

I just saw the blog on my article.  I also included a history of the LIMP and another article on Charles Henry Davis (feature story) along with color photos of virtually all of the known surviving #25 plates and a census.  Do you have a copy?  If not, would you like one?
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Howard Kroplick

Gus, great job on the articles! Please send me a copy of the Davis article (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 33 Wren Drive, Roslyn ,NY 11576). Thanks!

Also, I am still looking for original Tucker license plates!

From Plates Magazine: Long Island Motor Parkway Plates

Howard,

Jeff Bridges was a member of the International Association of Panoramic Photographers.  He had a Widelux swing lens panoramic camera and took photos on the sets of the movies he was in.  He would then have books made of the photos and give them to people involved with the films.

Do you know if he did this for the Tucker film?  If so, have you come across any of these photos?

Regards,

Bob L
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Howard Kroplick

Bob, Jeff Bridges did take photos on the Tucker set:
https://www.usatoday.com/media/cinematic/gallery/1074957002/jeff-bridges-exclusive-photos-from-the-set-of-tucker-30-years-ago/

From Mystery Foto #45 Solved: Jeff Bridges and Members of the Tucker Automobile Club in 1987

True historian’s devotion to detail shows in this project.  Good job.    my recollection of the movie was there was one scene wih more than 26 vehicles but gotta see that entertaing picture again….

From Searching for the 22 Stars of Francis Ford Coppola's 1988 Film-Tucker: The Man and His Dream

Michael:

Congratulations on a beautiful film.  I actually felt at times that I was behind the wheel on the Riverhead track! Marty Himes was fantastic!

I enjoyed the Last Race!

Howard

From The Last Race: Film documents the beauty & intensity of racing at the last track on Long Island

Saw the film, GREAT, better than being at the raceway trackside!

From The Last Race: Film documents the beauty & intensity of racing at the last track on Long Island

I’ve been here a handful of times and will definitely watch this on cable.

From The Last Race: Film documents the beauty & intensity of racing at the last track on Long Island

I want to thank Howard Kroplick for both his support of Long Island racing history and The Last Race. I was raised in Bellmore and spent many nights with my family watching racers like Marty Himes battle on the track at the Freeport Stadium. Sadly, that track and all other well bulldozed over years ago, except for the Riverhead Raceway.

I spent five years of my life and most of my savings making this film with the hope the Riverhead Raceway with endure for many more years.

Enjoy The Last Race!

- Michael Dweck, Director and Producer

From The Last Race: Film documents the beauty & intensity of racing at the last track on Long Island

More rare first-photos, great stuff Howard! The third photo reveals the Central Ave dirt roadway without the overhead girder in place. It will soon be covered in darkness for the next 30+ years.

The last photo is mysterious; is it Mineola or Williston? Both locations had double tracks. Calling all RR experts for help.

From Updated: Clinton Robertson Photo Album: Central Park Avenue/LIRR Motor Parkway Bridge in Bethpage