Vanderbilt Cup Races

As the economic and practical usefulness of the LIMP was winding down in the mid 1930’s, a proposal was made by the Queens Chamber of Commerce in 1935 to build a monorail type public transportation system using the LIMP right-of-way. A similar system had been built in Wuppertal, Germany in 1901 and still operates to this day. Disneyworld’s monorail in Florida appears to be almost identical in design.

From Mystery Friday Foto #48 Solved: An Interesting Motor Parkway Monorail Proposal

Found the answer on this site.
In 1935 as the Great Depression and expanding NY state highway system made Long Island Motor Parkway less viable, the Queens Chamber of Commerce considered using the LIMP right of way to build an elevated monorail.
Similar system was built in Germany, the Schweberban and later at the 1965 NY Worlds Fair.

From Mystery Friday Foto #48 Solved: An Interesting Motor Parkway Monorail Proposal

I’m almost certain that this type of “monorail” was already in use in Hamburg, Germany. However, as to who proposed the system for use in NY or LI, I can’t hazard a guess. Certainly not Robert Moses. But maybe just before the closing of the LIMP in ‘38, someone in authority proposed its use on the LIMP’s right of way.

From Mystery Friday Foto #48 Solved: An Interesting Motor Parkway Monorail Proposal

Love every word of this incredible history dive. As a child this area of the Motor Parkway was a favorite for my son Gram and he always loved the house which still stands. He used to note that it would be great if we could live there. I agree!

From An Al Velocci Special: The Garden City Headquarters of the Long Island Motor Parkway

i am planning on attending with one other person ... and the Chrysler turbo car model ... see you then

From Update: Saturday, November 1, 2025: The Duesenberg Open House at the Waterfront at Roslyn Garage

I am planning to come on October 12th to see the Duesy and the other gems at he Waterfront. Will bring one other guest.

From Update: Saturday, November 1, 2025: The Duesenberg Open House at the Waterfront at Roslyn Garage

I did as you suggested and searched for “monorail” on this website. Found the great article from 2009. I’ll let everyone discover it for themselves. It is fascinating.

From Mystery Friday Foto #48 Solved: An Interesting Motor Parkway Monorail Proposal

I’ll be there!

From Update: Saturday, November 1, 2025: The Duesenberg Open House at the Waterfront at Roslyn Garage

Hello,

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From Los Angeles Times: "At Indy course, vintage race cars take you on a roll down memory lane"

The photo is looking NW. Love the old country-style wood fence. Wish I could identify the house in the background. The racer could be the 1908 40hp Knox; its driver William Bourque would be the first killed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

From Friday Mystery Foto #47 Solved: An ALCO Roadside Repair

glad we have you, a true historian, to protect us from the AI!

From The Glitter and The Gold: The Gilded Age and Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan- Formerly Duchess of Marlborough

Consuelo Vanderbilt WAS NOT Princess Diana’s great grandmother. Google AI has it all wrong.  The Spencer-Churchill family of Blenheim are DISTANT cousins of the Spencer family at Althorp.

From The Glitter and The Gold: The Gilded Age and Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan- Formerly Duchess of Marlborough

I am a grand son,age 82, of Victor Hémery, am very happy to see that my grand father still triggers interest in the US . It is the first time I see a picture of Hémery at the wheel of his car with a woman who, obviously is not his wife. I lived and worked 34 years in the US and met in 1980 with Briggs Cunningham who had a car museom in Newport Beach, Ca , had met Hémery in the 50s and gave me a book about early races in Alerica.

From Friday Mystery Foto #46 Solved: Victor Hemery in the #18 Darracq

More . . .

From Friday Mystery Foto #47 Solved: An ALCO Roadside Repair

Alco - possibly 1909.  Alco built racers for the Vanderbilt Cup race
Grover Cleveland Bergdoll - Family business was a Philadelphia based brewery.  Became famous as a draft dodger. 
Fixing a rim
Nathan Lazarnick is the photographer.

From Friday Mystery Foto #47 Solved: An ALCO Roadside Repair

That looks like a 1909 ALCO racer, similar to the 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup winner. This one was owned by Grover Cleveland Bergdoll who was part of the family that owned Louis Bergdoll &  Sons Brewing Co. that produced beer from 1849 - 1951. It looks like he has just successfully changed a tire and is re-attaching the ring. The photo was taken by Nathan Lazarnick.

From Friday Mystery Foto #47 Solved: An ALCO Roadside Repair

The rich and amazing history of the Motor Parkway continues growing. This post is an amazing document of that glorious past.
Thanks so much!

From Kleiner's Korner: Match Races and Speed Trials on The Motor Parkway

What will become of those plates?

Howard Kroplick: They were purchased for my collection.

From Another set of six Long Island Motor Parkway license plates has been discovered

Regarding the bonus mystery photo, I believe that we are looking north of the Newbridge Rd. bridge and in the background is the Newbridge Hotel. I wonder if prior to the bridge being taken down motorist heading south would slow down as they approached the railroad tracks.

From Friday Mystery Foto #46 Solved: Victor Hemery in the #18 Darracq

I would like to comment on the bridge photo, but specifically on the car, which seems to a 1908 Locomobile model 40 4p roadster, as shown in the advertisement (sorry about the quality, but this is the best I have). There is this other photo of Riker testing the LIMP in 1908 in a Locomobile model 40, which has been taken in front view, but it’s my impression that we see the same car. So I wonder if there are any other images of Riker in his Locomobile during this test to confirm it’s the same car.

From Friday Mystery Foto #46 Solved: Victor Hemery in the #18 Darracq