Vanderbilt Cup Races

I think the 3rd person in the picture might be my father. His face is somewhat obstructed by the steering wheel (but,looks like he might have looked in 1904).
My grandfather (dad’s father) was the Secretary of the New York Central Railroad for many years. I have pictures of the Pardee private railroad car (#99). I also have pictures of a few of the cars the family owned, they are:
1904 Queen 2 cylinder
???? Bertliet (French)
1906 Oldsmobile roadster (my dad at the wheel)
1910 Buick (grandfather getting in)
Also there is a picture of a group of Maxwells dated 1909 at Vendor, N.J.
My brother & sister may have more. I will check.
Thanks for all your help,
Dwight

From Question of the Week: Can you Identify this Signed Willie K. Photo?

Howard,

Thanks for the information on the Vanderbilt Cup Races!

Ron

From Question of the Week: Can you Identify this Signed Willie K. Photo?

Dwight, your signed photo documents the zenith of Vanderbilt’s racing career at the Daytona-Ormond Beach Automobile Tournament of January 1904. The Mercedes with Willie K. as the driver was shot on the beach with the Atlantic Ocean in the background.The identification of the two other men in the car is still a mystery. Based on other images in my collection, the man with the mustache was “Henry” and the young man initials were “R.C.W. Jr.”.  At the 1904 tournament, in addition to seeting the one-mile land speed record at 92.3 mph, Vanderbilt won everything he entered, except for a 1-mile battle with Barney Oldfield. In addition to winning all his elimination heats, he scored victories in the five-mile free for all, the one-mile invitational race, the five-mile invitational, the ten-mile invitational and the 50-mile free-for-all championship. By the time the contests ended on Saturday, Vanderbilt racked up records for 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 miles.

A racing photo signed by William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. is rare and should be cherished as a family heirloom. If it was to go to auction, I estimate the value to be over $2,000.
Enjoy!
Howard Kroplick

From Question of the Week: Can you Identify this Signed Willie K. Photo?

Dear Mr. Kroplick,
Would you consider giving a presentation to members of our car club (the Peconic Bay Region of the AACA) about the Vanderbilt races? If possible, would you consider some time in Nov.?

Regards,
George Bartunek

From Film "The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race"

Gorgeous photos!

From The Alco Black Beast: Winner of the 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races

Ken:

Thanks for the email and the book pre-order.

Al and I plan to have several book signings in the Fall. Keep checking this website for event updates.

Enjoy!

Howard

From New Book from Howard Kroplick and Al Velocci "The Long Island Motor Parkway"

Howard:  What a terrific link.  Thanks for sharing it.  Be well.  Tom

From The Alco Black Beast: Winner of the 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races

Will you be having an in-store signing? I’ve pre-ordered the book already. Congrats!

From New Book from Howard Kroplick and Al Velocci "The Long Island Motor Parkway"

Tom:

Thanks again for the positive comment. I am pleased that I can share this information with your family. You should be very proud of Harry Grant’ achievements.

Howard

From Driver Profile: Harry Grant -Winner of the 1909 & 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races

Mark:

Thanks for the feedback and all your contributions to the website and my first book!

Howard

From New Book from Howard Kroplick and Al Velocci "The Long Island Motor Parkway"

Looks good, Howard! Congratualtions!
I’ll get a copy when its available. I continue to be impressed with this site.

-Mark

From New Book from Howard Kroplick and Al Velocci "The Long Island Motor Parkway"

Howard:  Thank you so much for the excellent Harry Grant profile.  You have really made him come alive for us. I wish my Grandfather, my Father and my Uncle Harry (named after Harry Grant)could have had the opportunity to view your terrific website.  Thanks again and be well.  Tom Grant (Grandnephew of Harry Grant).

From Driver Profile: Harry Grant -Winner of the 1909 & 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races

Joe, William, Wally, and Sal:

Thanks for your stories concerning the Long Island Automotive Museum. Hopefully, someday we can build a new automobile museum here on Long Island.

Enjoy!

Howard

From What was the Long Island Automotive Museum?

Virgina:

I will try to track your uncle down.

Unfortunately, the mechanicians were sometimes the forgotten people in the races. They served an important and dangerous function in making sure the car was operating properly but were often not named in the racing programs and newspapers.

Enjoy!

Howard

From Driver Profile: Harry Grant -Winner of the 1909 & 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races

I never visited the Museum while it was open, but I visited several times after it closed for what was called an “Iron Range”, sales conducted to dispose of the various parts still in the buildings. I was invited by Les Cutting, of Huntington who was very well known in the hobby and Wally could tell you lots about. I collected a pile of parts and collectable items and asked Mr. Clark for a price when he was closing down for lunch. He did not want to sell me some items, sign and pictures, etc. he said they were not for sale and I said I was told everything was for sale. Within a few seconds, he would not sell me anything, and then Les came over and stated I was a fine young man and not a dealer and the he said I could have the stuff, so I asked for a price, he just gave me the stuff. I still have it all today. I also attended and “Iron Range” run by Walter Kraft for his estate. It was still a great place to visit even with out any cars.

From What was the Long Island Automotive Museum?

Hi Howard,  Thank you for sending me your wonderful web site information.  I will have to go through my stuff and see if I have any other items and photos with related to your interests. I knew Austin Clark for many years and he was a great help in some of my automobile restorations through the years. In the interest of historical accuracy you might want to change your L.I. Automotive Museum article to owner Henry Austin Clark Jr. He would always say “Mr. Clark passed away” when people left off the Jr. 
      Keep up the good work!
Regards, Your friend, Walter

From What was the Long Island Automotive Museum?

Hi Howard.  I enjoyed your article about Harry Grant.  Sounds like a good man. 

In your readings about the September 27th accident, did you come across mention of the mechanics for the Maxwell team?  I think my uncle, Clyde Latta, might have been among them.  As is often the case, I didn’t find the names of the mechanics in the articles about the accident in the Indianapolis Star.

From Driver Profile: Harry Grant -Winner of the 1909 & 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races

My father was a Ham Radiio operator (W2BSP) and back in the 1950’s when I was just a kid he took me out th see Austin Clark’s Automotive Museum.  Clark had been a ship’s radio operator and knew dad.  The Museum was a glorious experience.  Like yourself I was in the area in more recent times and was saddened to see a banner across the sign in front in the weed infested parking lot and the delapadated hut that once housed those wounderful automobiles.  I noticed a dirt road along side the site and feeling adventurous found it led to a back enterance onto the property.  The big door was open and serveral men were inside trying to start one lone old 1940ish Lincoln.  One man stepped out and very sternly asked me what I was doing there.  It was none other than Austin Clark himself.  I told him my story and he opened his heart to me about how the local government would not let him use billboard signs to advertise his Museum and how his famly lost interest in the work it took to open each season.  He gave me some post card pictures still there in the little store.  The ceiling of the building showed signs of leaking and what remained in the storage racks were falling into decay.  It was sad but a privlage to have met this early historian of American Automobiles.

From What was the Long Island Automotive Museum?

Howard - I was at your presentation in the Smithtown Library last week and really enjoyed the info you related to us.  Thanks.

Re the Long Island Automotive Museum above, I remember my parents taking me to the museum a couple of times when I was probably 8 - 10 years old.  I will be 61 on 6/27/08.  I remember going for rides in an early 1900’s fire engine and sitting up alongside the driver while I cranked the handle on the manually operated siren.  As I recall, the fire engine was driven down dirt roads in the rear of the museum.  As a kid of that age, I had a ball!!!

I haven’t thought of that in many years.  It brings back good memories.  Thanks for the reminder!

Regards,

Joe Romano
Smithtown, NY

From What was the Long Island Automotive Museum?

Tom:

Thanks for the feedback on the website. I will be sending you some additional images and information on your Great Uncle Harry Grant, winner of the 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races.

Enjoy!

Howard Kroplick

From Calling All Vanderbilt Cup Race Families