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.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
Thank you sooo much for letting all us Tucker people come and see the best Tucker of all Tucker #1044 it was truly an amazing time and hopefully I get to do it again.
From Tucker 1044 Open House Draws a Great Crowd at Ida Automotive in New Jersey
For starters, that magnificent Victoria in the 6th pic down is NOT a restored version of any car shown above it. I was at the Bird Auction (see 30 Jun Mystery Foto #74 and 01 and 14 Jul 2104 blogs); absolutely incredible event. Most of us there were simply over-awed by the panoply of cars. Long story about how I got home to Mineola via the old Frank Buck Zoo site <http://sbiii.com/fbuckzoo.html> in Massapequa (partially posted but needs expansion - will advise). Walt Gosden - might you have pix of the 1931 Chrysler Imperial 8 CG sedan in the Farnsworh parking lot (that’s how I ended up at the Zoo site)? That 1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix #4487 was listed by Goodings two years ago at $2,600,000-$3,200,000 and sold for $3.300,000! Sam, III
From Exclusive: Photos from the Wallis C. Bird and Marjorie Winifred Kendall Bird Family Album
Fabulous.
From Exclusive: Photos from the Wallis C. Bird and Marjorie Winifred Kendall Bird Family Album
This photo shows the #7 Chalmers-Detroit with driver Billy Knipper and mechanician Robert Muller on October 30, 1909 during that year’s running of the Vanderbilt Cup Race. They are on the temporary road built to connect the LIMP with the northbound Massapequa-Hicksville Road with the Massapequa Lodge on the right. The sign reads “Exit for Contestants” and told the drivers they must leave the paved LIMP and take the temporary road to continue on the course.
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:#7 Chalmers at the Hicksville Road Turn During the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Chuck R.
Just wanted to take a moment to thank you for inviting us car folk to see your jewel like masterpiece of a car. It was fabulous to get even a little closer than one can get at Hershey and actually see inside. Thanks for directing me to Sean, I did get the answer on the lack of rain gutters as for aerodynamics he showed where the rain gutter was integrated under the bulkhead door and it used the smallest of gaskets for when it was closed. A well engineered piece, and also it dawned on me no doghouse, or driveshaft tunnel in the back seat just like today’s FWD and AWD cars. Interesting all the stuff he did which showed up later.
From Tucker 1044 Open House Draws a Great Crowd at Ida Automotive in New Jersey
Looks like the October 30th 1909 race at the Hicksville Road turn (Massapequa Lodge) in today’s Plainedge/Bethpage with William Knipper driving and Robert Muller mechanician .
The building is the lodge at that location and the turn was at the turn off from the concrete Motor Parkway to the northbound gravel Hicksville Road. The race was shortened in the 1909 and 1910 contests. The banner (sign) indicated an exit for contestants.
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:#7 Chalmers at the Hicksville Road Turn During the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Great Event! Happy to have attended. The people, shop, and of course the cars are all awesome!
Wow!
Hank
From Tucker 1044 Open House Draws a Great Crowd at Ida Automotive in New Jersey
from your archives…
1909 VC race, Oct.30, 1909
car #7 Chalmers-Detroit driven by William Knipper
love the challenges!
Gary C
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:#7 Chalmers at the Hicksville Road Turn During the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Where is Farnsworth?, another Long Island gold coast estate?, sounds familiar?
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Howard Kroplick
Answer is above. The gates are still standing.
From Exclusive: Photos from the Wallis C. Bird and Marjorie Winifred Kendall Bird Family Album
The gates are the only thing left of the entire estate. It’s a residential neighborhood now. The gates are on the corner of Chicken Valley Road & Oyster Bay Road in Oyster Bay.
From Exclusive: Photos from the Wallis C. Bird and Marjorie Winifred Kendall Bird Family Album
ADVERTISED IN THE NYT I BEGGED MY FATHER TO GO TO THE AUCTION ,1962 I THINK .THE DUSIE ROADSTER BROUGHT 10K
From Exclusive: Photos from the Wallis C. Bird and Marjorie Winifred Kendall Bird Family Album
The Auburn 12 is more likely a 1933 or a left over one. Auburn came out with a completely new body in 1934.
From Exclusive: Photos from the Wallis C. Bird and Marjorie Winifred Kendall Bird Family Album
Howard, that first pic is obviously the entrance to an estate. Any idea where this is? I’ll gladly go fetch some NOW pics of it if it’s still around.
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Howard Kroplick
Dave, it was the entrance to Farnesworth, the Wallis Bird estate.
From Exclusive: Photos from the Wallis C. Bird and Marjorie Winifred Kendall Bird Family Album
Massapequa Lodge facing east, car turning onto the temporary road leading to Hicksville Road north on 107. Either 1909 or 1910 and I’ll bet its the Black Beast which I think won that race. Don’t know the driver but it definitely wasn’t Howard, who was probably too young to drive at the time….. : )
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:#7 Chalmers at the Hicksville Road Turn During the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Wonderful! I exhibit my art at CCCA annual gathering at the Gilmore in Mich each year (invited with 10 artists). Great club, the Classics are my favorites.
From The Classic Car Magazine Cover Story: "A Chrysler for the Mrs."
I see the Massapequa Lodge sneaking into the right side of this picture. The car is exiting the LIMP and heading north. 1909-1910.
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:#7 Chalmers at the Hicksville Road Turn During the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Mystery Foto #43… The photo is at the Vanderbilt Cup Race on October 30, 1909. Driver, William Knipper with mechanician, Robert Muller are in the # 7 Chalmers-Detroit racer. The location shown is Massapequa turn just after the end of the Motor Parkway portion of the course. Building on the right is Massapequa Lodge. The sign at the left marks the exit of Motor Parkway where the cars turn north bound to Massapequa-Hicksville road.
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:#7 Chalmers at the Hicksville Road Turn During the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Howard, Is the showing of Tucker 44 still on tomorrow at Ida Automotive with the nor’easter expected on Saturday 10/27/18 ????
Howard Kroplick
It is. A go. Just a drizzle in New Jersey.
From Hold the Date- October 27, 2018: Tucker 1044 Open House at Ida Automotive in Marlboro, New Jersey
*Race & Date: VCR 10/30/1909
*Car, Driver & Mechanician: #7 Chalmers-Detroit ( USA ). William Knipper & Robert Muller. #3rd place for this race.
*Location of Race Car: Their making the north turn towards Hicksville Rd. The curved temporary road links the LIMP & Hicksville Rd.
*Building on right: Massapequa Toll Lodge
*Banner to the left: Can’t make out all the words. Banner is above the LIMP continuing east. Perhaps it’s reminding the drivers to not continue eastbound on the LIMP and keep left to Hicksville Rd.
From Mystery Foto #43 Solved:#7 Chalmers at the Hicksville Road Turn During the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race
I knew Nick Jenin and his daughter Sandy. If she is in South USA, please have someone contact me. I never got to see his Tuckers, but Sandy offered me a chance to do so. I joined the USAF soon after and never got that chance.
Regards,
Luckey
From Mystery Foto #26 Solved: The Two-Tone Tucker 1046 in 1956 at Sebring, Florida
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