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
That 1909 pin is pretty cool. Probably not many of those things lying around.
Just curious…..the picture w the pin vendor: any idea where that is?
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Howard Kroplick
Dave, it looks like the Motor Parkway..likely near the grandstand.
From Highlights From the Westhampton Historical Society Vanderbilt Cup Races Presentation
Florence Ogg:
I found a reference to Frank.G.Webb in the Automobile Journal 1912(Vol.33 p.25)
of a Frank G Webb entering a competition sponsored by the Manufacturers Contest Association.
Hope it helps in your search
Florence
From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1909 Long Island Automobile Club Membership Cup
Mystery Foto # 10… The trophy is the Long Island Automobile Club Membership Cup as as presented by Frank Webb. Frank Webb was president of the Long Island Automobile club. Frank’s connection to the Vanderbilt cup races was Vice Chairman of the 1908 race.
As for the cup winner, Allen C. Alderman, based on my research he is “Persona Non Founda” No mention of him in any of my books or the Internet research.
I will go out on a limb and say the race car engraved on the cup is none other than the Black Beast ALCO #8
From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1909 Long Island Automobile Club Membership Cup
At the 1909 Long Island Auto Club dinner outgoing president Frank Webb presented this trophy to Allen Alderman for being the top recruiter. Frank Webb was an official at the 1908 LIMP Sweepstakes.
From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1909 Long Island Automobile Club Membership Cup
What I really want to know is, when it’s done, a description of the driving experience VS what it was BEFORE all the work. Basically, this will be “as new”
From Tucker 1044 Conservation Report III: Putting 1044 Back Together
I think the trophy was sponsored by the Long Island Automobile Club and presented to Allen C. Alderman because he (as membership chairman?) had “secured the greatest number of new members” to join the club. It looks like the year 1909 is on the trophy and Alderman went on to become club president the following year. Frank G. Webb had been the vice chairman of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Commission (and now president of the L.I.A.C.) so maybe he somehow managed to get the 1909 V.C. R. winner, the Black Beast, engraved onto the trophy.
From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1909 Long Island Automobile Club Membership Cup
Anxious to see the finished car. Perhaps you can give all of us an advance notice of #1044’s public debut. My son and I could possibly fly out to see it and meet you depending on his schedule.
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Howard Kroplick
Jeff, the debut will likely be announced in early summer on this website.
From Tucker 1044 Conservation Report III: Putting 1044 Back Together
The car could be Vincenzo Lancia’s # Fiat, steering dramatically to avoid Christie, while the mechanician is pointing in the direction of the incoming car.
The membership cup was given to Alderman for “having secured ninety-nine new members” for the New York State Automobile Association, of which he was the incoming President.
Webb was one of the officials of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Vanderbilt Cup Commission.
From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1909 Long Island Automobile Club Membership Cup
Thanks for a glimpse in to what once was…..Enjoyed it…
From The Impact of the Vanderbilt Cup Races: The Long Island Race Tracks
HA! You left out the Roosevelt Raceway, where the VC races were run on 19 June 1960 on the flat, on a twisting road course laid out in the infield and around the trotting track. I vas dere, Cholly (as was Old 16), and even snuck my XK120M drophead Jag out onto the course immediately after the race was over and got in a lap at speed before being chased off. Not much of an auto racetrack but still it WAS one - AND it hosted a VCR! Sam, III
From The Impact of the Vanderbilt Cup Races: The Long Island Race Tracks
‘Tis I, again - what a thread! “Nutting” has been bothering me and the name finally clicked - Gurney Nutting, of course, only one of the finest coachbuilders ever! Hugh - any relation to John (Jack) Gurney Nutting or just an incredible coincidence in this regard? Sam, III
From Updated 2/21/18: Mystery Foto #7 Solved: The Roslyn Motors Lincoln Dealership in 1926
This trophy was the Membership Cup, awarded to the member of the Long Island Automobile Club who recruited the most new members during the year. It was sponsored by Louis T. Weiss, who had won a similar award in the past. Frank G. Webb was president of the club at the time. Allen C. Alderman, a wealthy attorney, who was also a past president of the club, had recruited the most new members.
From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1909 Long Island Automobile Club Membership Cup
Very nice presentation
Ken
From The Impact of the Vanderbilt Cup Races: The Long Island Race Tracks
Hi, Howard,
This was a reminder that in 1982 we “borrowed” the Vanderbilt name at Bridgehampton and ran what we called “Vanderbilt Speed Weeks”, with AAMRR motorcycle road races and a motocross on one weekend followed by SCCA/EMRA sports car races the next. This was to celebrate the track’s 25th birthday. We sort of recreated the Cup for the event, using a picture from the Smithsonian as a guide. Best regards, Earl
From The Impact of the Vanderbilt Cup Races: The Long Island Race Tracks
Very nice to have Mr. Nutting comment : if he is talking about the cars shown in the advertisements that Roslyn Motors took in the NY Salon catalogs being both 1926 cars then Lincoln was trying to pull a fast one on its car buying public. The same illustration for the green LeBaron town car was used in a sales catalog Lincoln issued to be distributed at the Salons for the 1927-28 season (dates for the NY,Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco salons are given in the back of the lavish sales piece) the dates at the front of the catalog say (spelled out ) 1927 1928. Salon Cars. the Judkins two window Berline in the sales catalog is a different illustration and in different colors but is the same car in all details of design as the illustration shown in the NY Salon catalog.
From Updated 2/21/18: Mystery Foto #7 Solved: The Roslyn Motors Lincoln Dealership in 1926
Identify the trophy and its sponsor.
Membership Cup given by the Long Island Automobile Club in 1909
Identify Frank Webb. Link him to the Vanderbilt Cup Races.
President of the Club and Vice-Chairman of the 1909 (maybe others) Vanderbilt Cup Race Commission. A.R. Pardington also was a director of the club.
Identify the winner Allen Alderman. Why did he receive the cup?
Chairman of the 1909 Membership Committee - received the cup for “proposing the greatest number of new members.
Which race car was engraved on the trophy? Provide a rationale. Note: Answer is currently unknown.
Not enough research yet.
From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1909 Long Island Automobile Club Membership Cup
Very nice! Just found the Barret-Jackson auction for this.
Feel like I’m just stating the obvious from the inscriptions.
Identify the trophy and its sponsor
In a ceremony in December 1909, The Long Island Automobile Club presented this trophy to Allen C. Alderman for securing 99 new members into the club in 1909.
Identify Frank Webb. Link him to the Vanderbilt Cup Races.
President of the Long Island Automobile Club And Vice-chairman Of The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Races.
Identify the winner Allen Alderman.
Allen Alderman immediately took over as President Of The LIAC after 1909
Which race car was engraved on the trophy? Provide a rationale. Note: Answer is currently unknown.
Mostly has an Locomobile ‘feel’ to it. Old 16 maybe?
From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1909 Long Island Automobile Club Membership Cup
Amazing restoration work here. Thanks for sharing the progress. I can tell already she’s gonna be a beaut. Can’t wait to see her up close!
From Tucker 1044 Conservation Report III: Putting 1044 Back Together
Looking forward to read through the memoirs on your site, Tim.
From Peter Helck: Memoirs: 75 Years with Palette, Paintbrush and Wheels
Hello, Mike Hofmann.
Is every statement that I expressed with a ? mark incorrect? If so, would you mind being more specific?
This unique overpass, interesting as it is; throws a curveball at me. Being a student of Sam Berliner III and Arthur Huneke’s Railroad History websites, I’m aware of the Stewart/Central RR particulars, etc.
From Updated: Mystery Foto #9 Solved: The Central R.R. Motor Parkway Bridge in Queens
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