Vanderbilt Cup Races

  It’s an engineering marvel, and a mechanics dream or nightmare depending on who is working on it.  But a known and proven engine with smooth power.  Keep it going Howard.  Looks great.  Artie Finnegan

From Restoration Update #2: 1930 Duesenberg J Murphy Convertible Sedan Berline #2448 J-399 (1/17/2025)

THE AUTOMOBILE WAS A MERCEDES #5 IN THE 1904 VANDERBILT CUP RACE.
THE DRIVER WAS GEORGE ARENTS JR. THE MECHANICIAN WAS CARL MENSEL
THE AUTOMOBILE OVERTURNED IN ELMONT KILLING THE MECHANICIAN, CARL MENSEL.
IT WAS THE FIRST FATALITY IN THE VANDERBILT CUP RACES.

From Mystery Foto #8 Solved: George Arents Jr.'s Crash on the Course

Nice job, Walt - congratulations on a very well deserved honor!

From Walt Gosden honored as a recipient of a 2024 National AACA Appreciation Award

Walt’s award is very well deserved.  Not only is he a great researcher and writer, he’s a good guy,
Rog

From Walt Gosden honored as a recipient of a 2024 National AACA Appreciation Award

Thats the “black beast” Alco at the American Grand Prize Race held on the Santa Monica Road Course in 1914. Finished 3rd, driven by William Taylor.

From Mystery Foto #7 Solved: The 1914 Alco Race Car in Santa Monica in the ​​​​​​​The 1914 American Grand Prize Race

Congratulations Walt on a very prestigious award. Thank you for all the history facts over the years. It is nice to see your values being recognized by this organization.

Stay well and continue with your passion!

Regards, Mark Thomas

From Walt Gosden honored as a recipient of a 2024 National AACA Appreciation Award

Congratulations Walt, long overdue, don’t stop now,. keep up the good work.

From Walt Gosden honored as a recipient of a 2024 National AACA Appreciation Award

I think that’s the number 6 ALCO racer, driven by William Taylor, that participated in the 1914 American Grand Prize on February 28, 1914 at Santa Monica, CA. Taylor finished third in that race. The car is very similar to the ALCO “Black Beast” and the race course is the same one where the 1914 Vanderbilt Cup Race was held two days prior on February 26.

From Mystery Foto #7 Solved: The 1914 Alco Race Car in Santa Monica in the ​​​​​​​The 1914 American Grand Prize Race

I was never an auto racing fan and so know little about NASCAR, etc., other than the names of notable drivers. However, as a resident of Boca Raton for 20 years after I retired from my trial practice in NY (I’m still admitted to the Bars of both NY and FL), I think the photo includes “Date Palm Trees.” Although Royal and Date Palms are not indigenous to FL, Boca and Palm Beach County are loaded with them. So. I’m guessing that the course was somewhere in Southeast Florida, which was probably in Palm Beach County. Where, I can’t imagine. But given Palm Beach, it might have been across inland in what is now West Palm Beach.

From Mystery Foto #7 Solved: The 1914 Alco Race Car in Santa Monica in the ​​​​​​​The 1914 American Grand Prize Race

Congratulations and well deserved WE’ve enjoyed your stories and knowledge Thank You Jerry and Rita

From Walt Gosden honored as a recipient of a 2024 National AACA Appreciation Award

Thank You Howard for posting this, we’re looking forward to seeing everyone Jerry and Rita

From Hold the Date Sunday, March 23, 2025: "A Look Back at the Rich Equestrian History of Long Island in the 19th and 20th Centuries" with Jerry & Rita Trapani

It is indeed an honor to receive this, totally unexpected! I joined AACA in 1965! (yeah, I am old) I consider myself a storyteller, and an old car guy who like my good buddy Howard is just devoted to history, both car and local/state history.  I am so very grateful to AACA for the award, but as mentioned cringe a bit at the notoriety - not my personality or “thing ” to be in the spotlight.

From Walt Gosden honored as a recipient of a 2024 National AACA Appreciation Award

... with the palm tree - possibly Florida?
.. .is the ALCO sign a hint…
... a similar look to the Black Beast!

From Mystery Foto #7 Solved: The 1914 Alco Race Car in Santa Monica in the ​​​​​​​The 1914 American Grand Prize Race

Sadly, the police are still finding bodies along the side of the road. This victim was found just off the Clearview Expressway, near Union Tpke., which is not far from the remnant of the LIMP that goes through Alley Pond and Cunningham Parks.
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/body-found-clearview-expressway-emmanuel-moncoeur/

From Kleiner's Korner: January & February 1925 Activities Relating to the Motor Parkway

ALCO
WILLIAM TAYOR WAS THE DRIVER
THE RACE WAS THE AMERICAN GRAND PRIZE RACE, ON THE SANTA MONICA ROAD RACECOURSE, HELD ON FEBRUARY 28, 1914
TAYLOR FINISHED 3RD AFTER STARTING IN THE 5TH POSITION.
THE VANDERBILT CUP RACE WAS HELD ON FEBRUARY 26, 1914, TOW DAYS EARLIER
THEN THE AMERICAN GRAND PRIZE RACE.

From Mystery Foto #7 Solved: The 1914 Alco Race Car in Santa Monica in the ​​​​​​​The 1914 American Grand Prize Race

Let’s go with this:
Alco driven by Billy Taylor
International Grand Prix, Feb. 28, 1914, Santa Monica
Finished in second place
The car was driven two days earlier in the Vanderbilt Cup Race as #17, driven by Tony Janette as noted on the sign on the wall in the mystery photo. 

From Mystery Foto #7 Solved: The 1914 Alco Race Car in Santa Monica in the ​​​​​​​The 1914 American Grand Prize Race

Great video on the 48 Tucker Greg, very informative!

From Video of the Week: Tucker: Genius or Scam?

Beautiful work. I always enjoy seeing restoration photos.

From Restoration Update #2: 1930 Duesenberg J Murphy Convertible Sedan Berline #2448 J-399 (1/17/2025)

Informative piece of the Franklin during the 1913 Long Island Economy Run. Thank you Walt Gosden for rare historical content, and the challenge all autos were subjected to. The bridge photo appears to be Queens Plaza in LIC, with cobblestone streets I remember in the ‘70’s at the foot of the Queensboro Bridge. A few 1909 images below

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: "The 1913 Long Island Economy Run" by Walt Gosden

The building is the Newport Country Club. It still stands.

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: Willie K. Going for an Early Ride in his 1899 Locomobile Runabout