Vanderbilt Cup Races

Anyone think the gray car at left with Austie at the wheel might be Briggs’ Bu-Merc Mercedes? Howard, you posted this on Superbowl Sunday so obviously hands in the air means “Touchdown!”
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Howard Kroplick
That’s funny!!

From Mystery Foto #5 Solved:Briggs Cunningham Driving His 1914 Mercedes Grand Prix Car at Sebring (1959)

Even though his face is blurry in the photo, the only person that came to mind was Henry Austin Clark Jr. There’s an image of Henry in his 1923 Mercedes Racer within ‘The Walter McCarthy Photo Collection’. The image looks to have been taken at a race track, and the time period looks to be the same as Dick Gorman’s mystery foto. He’s either donning glasses or driving goggles in the mystery foto. Great photo capture Dick Gorman!

From Mystery Foto #5 Solved:Briggs Cunningham Driving His 1914 Mercedes Grand Prix Car at Sebring (1959)

Bill Holingsworth

Briggs Cunningham is in the Mercedes GP car (circa 1914+/-), Bill Spear is in the car to rear left, the blue GP car further to the rear left could be a Delage, if not, still mostly likely French. Behind the fence is the 300SL Roaster (1957-63). The mid 20’s sedan is not a Royale as they did not have spare mounted in the front fender. It could be a Bugatti, it could anything. The photo of the wheels is not clear enough to distinguish them, giving a hint as to the make of the car. Photo is taken at Sebring, probably before the 12 Hours Race in March. Cunningham’s arms are in the air because his engine has stalled at the start. Year of the photo would be in the 1960’s.

From Mystery Foto #5 Solved:Briggs Cunningham Driving His 1914 Mercedes Grand Prix Car at Sebring (1959)

How about Daytona 500 in Florida, early ‘60s.
Hand signal indicates the driver will not move his car or his car is not running.

From Mystery Foto #5 Solved:Briggs Cunningham Driving His 1914 Mercedes Grand Prix Car at Sebring (1959)

“Bokeh”?  HK, the pix wouldna been so great if you and your crew hadna done such an incredible job of restoration!  Bravi tutti!  Sam, III

From The Fine Art of Photographer Jerry Keefer: The Tucker 1044

Just off the top, I’d say that’s a 1914 Grand Prix Mercedes and the driver’s signal is an exultant “I WON!”.  I can not make out enough of the car behind at left but that’s a M-B 300SL roadster beyond.  My first thought about the Big Black Beast at right was a Bugatti Royale but the wheels are wrong so maybe a W07 M-B Typ 770 Grosser Mercedes - neither one seems to have had a closed rear quarter panel saloon model, though.  ???  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #5 Solved:Briggs Cunningham Driving His 1914 Mercedes Grand Prix Car at Sebring (1959)

It is Briggs Cunningham in a 1914 Mercedes GP car at Sebring. Behind him might be Phil Walters in the BuMerc and behind that is Briggs’ Peugeot circa 1913. There is a 1957 era Mercedes 300 SL roadster and a 1931 Marmon V-16 sedan. Briggs is likely signaling he is stopped so other cars will pass him.

From Mystery Foto #5 Solved:Briggs Cunningham Driving His 1914 Mercedes Grand Prix Car at Sebring (1959)

WAGS all. Briggs Cunningham in 1914 Mercedes GP, Henry Austin Clark in ???, Lindley Bothwell in 1914 Peugeot L45. Mercedes 300SL roadster, Packard/Stutz sedan in background. Sebring, Florida. Sebring 6/12 hour endurance race. Briggs is sayin’ “I win” or “I give up. The drugs are hidden in the belly pan”! 😊

From Mystery Foto #5 Solved:Briggs Cunningham Driving His 1914 Mercedes Grand Prix Car at Sebring (1959)

Beautiful photo work by Jerry.  I love his use of bokeh to blur out what he’s not focusing on.
Rog

From The Fine Art of Photographer Jerry Keefer: The Tucker 1044

Howard,  I ‘m quite sure the photo was taken at Sebring, I visited there in the 1960’s. The driver is Alex Ulman, the founder of the track. the photo was probably taken in 1960’s when the 24 hours race was instituted. The Mercedes in the background is the 300 SLR, a revolutionary design for the time with gull wing doors on the coupe.

From Mystery Foto #5 Solved:Briggs Cunningham Driving His 1914 Mercedes Grand Prix Car at Sebring (1959)

My guess to the answers to the questions asked: Briggs Cunningham is in the car with his hands raised, do not have any idea why his hands are raised - he either won the competition or his car quit and would not run!
Austin Clark is at the wheel of the car behind this. The location is Sebring , Florida and this photo was taken at the time of the race.  The dark sedan in the background is a model J Duesenberg with either a Derham or Rollston body.

From Mystery Foto #5 Solved:Briggs Cunningham Driving His 1914 Mercedes Grand Prix Car at Sebring (1959)

Briggs Cunningham in an early Benz?  Plus, an obvious 300SLR. And is that Henry Austin Clark behind him?

From Mystery Foto #5 Solved:Briggs Cunningham Driving His 1914 Mercedes Grand Prix Car at Sebring (1959)

I like “Joe Burt and friends”, everyone is wearing the same hat.  And nicely dressed!

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Looking North on Merrick Avenue and Stewart Avenue in 1944

Very fine photography on a very fine Tucker.

From The Fine Art of Photographer Jerry Keefer: The Tucker 1044

Sounds like a new quest for the Wikimedia Commons gallery for Mineola. Actually, I just found out they have it already.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mineola_Bl_Old_Country_Rd_td_09.jpg

From Then & Now: The First Long Island Offices of the Long Island Motor Parkway, Inc.

Update: A 2018 Google Map has been added. This image will be used as a guide for the planned placement of a Long Island Motor Parkway historical marker adjacent to the Merrick Avenue Bike Path.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Looking North on Merrick Avenue and Stewart Avenue in 1944

Scott Eckers

• Identify the location of the Mystery Foto and the orientation of the photographer.
Stewart Avenue and Merrick Avenue, East Meadow/Westbury, looking north
• Link the Mystery Foto to the Long Island Motor Parkway and the Vanderbilt Cup Races .
The Meadowbrook Lodge is on the northwest corner.
• What was the likely purpose for the structure on the right? What is on this location today?
This structure was in the golf club; it is in Eisenhower Park today.
• What was the approximate date of the Foto? Provide a rationale.
Mid/late 1930s because of the power lines and the bridge (I know I’m wrong now!)
• Who was the photographer?
Joseph Burt, Mineola
• Kudos question: Can you find the airplane in the photo?
Yes!  It’s in the air!  (Above the lodge.)
Thanks for a great picture this week!
Scott Eckers

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Looking North on Merrick Avenue and Stewart Avenue in 1944

Looking north on Merrick Ave with Stewart ave in the forefront and the motor parkway behind it.  The toll booth is visible on the left.  The structure could be something from Eisenhower park as that would be where the current day entrance is.  Just a guess
PS. Plane is right above toll booth

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Looking North on Merrick Avenue and Stewart Avenue in 1944

Forgot to mention that I had spotted that culvert in the old bridge’s West embankment as well.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Looking North on Merrick Avenue and Stewart Avenue in 1944

Thanks Bill and Howard for this FABULOUS view in Salisbury. Never seen this before in my 56 years. This view is alarming and unrecognizable today. We’re at the entrance to Eisenhower Park on the right side off of Merrick Ave. There’s a red light camera here today. Photographer Joseph Burt of Mineola is standing on the sidewalk looking NNE. 1908-10 Vanderbilt Cup Races began here on top of the hill at the Meadow Brook lodge. Many concrete posts outlining the Motor Parkway property line. Structure on right is likely vending machines/restrooms to accomodate the golfers. Golf course remains here today. Date is sometime after the ‘50s when the lodge was removed. The silver bird is directly above the Meadow Brook lodge and a smaller black bird above the Stewart Ave street post. Fantastic!

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: Looking North on Merrick Avenue and Stewart Avenue in 1944