About
The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day, and the first international automobile road races held in the United States. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways. This site provides comprehensive information on the races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and current Long Island automotive events, car shows and news.
All Content © 2026 VanderbiltCupRaces.com
Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
Al-
If you look at the link I posted in my comment, rotary engines were indeed used in airplanes as well as radial engines.
From Video: My pilot run driving the 1984 Tritan A2 Aerocar #5
I think there’s some confusion between “rotary” engines and “radial” engines in airplanes. Radial engines have pistons arranged in a circle.
From Video: My pilot run driving the 1984 Tritan A2 Aerocar #5
I know that the Wankel engine was used in some fine cars. The Ro80, made by NSU of Germany, still looks stylish today. But the problems of the engine (fuel consumption, pollution, oil consumption, problems with the seals) led to its demise and the downfall of NSU, which was taken over by Volkswagen / Audi. I’m surprised that a version of it was used in the Domino’s car.
From Video: My pilot run driving the 1984 Tritan A2 Aerocar #5
I believe that is a Brookhaven park now.
From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #6: Petit Trianon in Lake Ronkonkoma
Thank u for all that contributed to this story. I had heard about it & saw the pictures but, always wondered about the people impacted. What a thorough job!
From Mystery Friday Foto #49 Solved:The 1958 Airplane/Three Car Crash on the Southern State Parkway
why didnt they try for Republic airport ??
From Mystery Friday Foto #49 Solved:The 1958 Airplane/Three Car Crash on the Southern State Parkway
Thanks Greg for posting of the wikipedia.org website that I’ve known about but did’t think of looking up or mentioing. Everything to know about the Wankel engine is in this website!
From Video: My pilot run driving the 1984 Tritan A2 Aerocar #5
So proud of my Son Gram for this wonderful tale told so well on the adventures of Howard and Rob!
From InstaGRAM Report: Interview with Rob Ida About the Black Beast
Fascinating interview. Can’t wait to hear more about Rob Ida and his work on the collection!
From InstaGRAM Report: Interview with Rob Ida About the Black Beast
Al-
Yes they were as Curtiss-Wright did acquire a license for the Wankel rotary. They are well suited for light aircraft. They also have been used in everything including trains.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel_engine
From Video: My pilot run driving the 1984 Tritan A2 Aerocar #5
Al Velocci, Yes Rotary engines were in use around WWI - The Cradle of Aviation Museum’s Thomas Morse S4C Scout has a 90 hp LeRhone rotary engine. Gnome was another popular rotary used back then.
From Video: My pilot run driving the 1984 Tritan A2 Aerocar #5
Greg,
The Wankel Rotary engine offered licenced to a number of companys for uses in their cars or more development for the future uses in cars, among the earlist was NSU Spider, conv. 2dr.-2P, Mazda RX-7, 2dr. coupe 2P, GM use for development for their vehicles and to supply AMC for its new Pacer with it short front end, but crammed in their own 6 cyl. Mercedes introduce the C111, a mid-engine 4 rotary
2P coupe. Just few made as research/concept. but emmision issues killed it, except for Madza, still at it, on and off.
From Video: My pilot run driving the 1984 Tritan A2 Aerocar #5
I went to the New York Auto Show at the Javits Center every year to see the latest models for each manufacturer. Especially enjoyed the Rolls Royce and other European luxury brands. Now it’s mostly electric vehicles so I’ve lost interest.
It was fun while it lasted!
From Kleiner's Korner: An Automobile Show on the Course of the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race
A nice ride, Port Jefferson has a great history of home built three wheelers. The 2024 Hillclimb awaits
From Video: My pilot run driving the 1984 Tritan A2 Aerocar #5
Always great articles ... Thank you
From Kleiner's Korner: An Automobile Show on the Course of the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race
My father would bring me and a couple friends to the NY Coliseum car show during the mid 1960’s on Press Day. What a Great time.
From Kleiner's Korner: An Automobile Show on the Course of the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Recollecting the Wankel rotary engine (Mazda), it was used for automobile purposes with a distinct triangular “piston.” The circular aircraft engines were all piston driven instead as far I can reach
From Video: My pilot run driving the 1984 Tritan A2 Aerocar #5
I think the photo shows Tom Monaghan, founder of Domino’s Pizza, along with Sean and Mike Tucker, great grandsons of Preston Tucker. Monaghan and Domino’s is the connection to the Tritan A2 while Sean and Mike (along with Rob Ida) rebuilt Tucker 1044. The city that links the three is Ypsilanti, MI where Monaghan opened his first pizza store and was the hometown of Preston Tucker. It is also where Sean and Mike founded the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Collection.
From Mystery Friday Foto #49 Solved: Sean and Mike Tucker with Domino's Founder Tom Monaghan
Greg, Weren’t rotary engines used on early planes ?
From Video: My pilot run driving the 1984 Tritan A2 Aerocar #5
The people are John Tucker, Jr., the grandson of Preston Tucker, and John’s twin sons, Sean and Rob. Tucker 1044 is one of the Tuckers produced by Preston’s company in 1948.
John Tucker, Jr. lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Likely, his sons have ties to this city.
Ann Arbor is the site of Triitan Ventures, the manufacturer of the Tritan A2 Aero 2 #5.
Both vehicles reside at The Waterfront!
From Mystery Friday Foto #49 Solved: Sean and Mike Tucker with Domino's Founder Tom Monaghan
Page 113 of 1026 pages ‹ First < 111 112 113 114 115 > Last ›