Vanderbilt Cup Races

Hi Mitch –

Thanks for sharing your photos of the N Hemp Tpke bridge that your Dad snapped back in 1955. Great that he was able to capture the bridge. I suspect the bridge was removed soon after the photo was taken, when P.S 179 was completed just down the block around the same time.

The 2nd Francis Lewis ped overpass was put in sometime before 1951. I’ve got a ‘51 aerial (sending to Howard) showing the boulevard’s expansion and overpass. The original overpass was put in 1942-1944. Check the link below and scroll to page 33, Job J6206. If this information is true, it took at least four years to put the bridge in after the parkway’s closing.

https://books.google.com/books?id=ZZWBIfoNiRwC&pg=PA24&lpg=PA24&dq=francis+lewis+blvd+pedestrian+overpass&source=bl&ots=sCTeYY-9bH&sig=eHWkYy4KawaFsxYV-2AvZYNl5Fc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4xO2ExIPZAhWNuVMKHT4LCeMQ6AEIaDAO#v=onepage&q=francis lewis blvd pedestrian overpass&f=false

From Updated:Mystery Foto #2 Solved:An Aerial of Fresh Meadows from the New York Life Archives Circa 1950

Great news! It’s a special car. Once again I commend you Howard for your willingness to share your cars with the public. This is another example of that. Many collectors never show their vehicles to anyone. They call them “Private Collections”. The many classic car fans that visit Hershey will greatly appreciate this opportunity to see a very rare vehicle.
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Howard Kroplick
Mike, it will be fun to see the Mustang III during Hershey week in October!

From AACA Museum Announces the 1963 Mustang III Concept Show will be Featured in Upcoming 2018 Exhibit

Oh great-thanks for getting back to me! I’ve enjoyied reading about the game on your blog!

Thanks again
Elaine

From The 1907 Vanderbilt Cup Race Board Game

Hi…I just found the board to this game in the attic of our 3-family. There are no game pieces or box, just the board. It’s in perfect condition. I would appreciate any suggestion on what to do with it. Thought I would sell it on eBay, but not sure of value. Thanks in advance for any advice you can pass on.

Thanks again
Elaine
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Howard Kroplick

Elaine, great find! Without the pieces the Vanderbilt Cup Race game board is worth around $250.

From The 1907 Vanderbilt Cup Race Board Game

Thanks anyway, Howard. How about Al Velocci?

From Updated:Mystery Foto #2 Solved:An Aerial of Fresh Meadows from the New York Life Archives Circa 1950

George Robertson and Glenn Ethridge getting ready to pass a Thomas driven by George Salzman - Looks like a wrench is about to be thrown to get their attention.
Peter Helck would have been 15 years old so the young man standing at the end of the fence in blue would most likely be him.

From Mystery Painting #4 Solved: A 1962 Peter Helck Painting of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

I forgot to mention that Peter Helck is seen in a few segments of the “Old 16 Locomobile” film on the 9/23/09 blog here.

From Mystery Painting #4 Solved: A 1962 Peter Helck Painting of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Remembering a 4-engine bomber flying over sometime around 1957/58. I think it might have been a B-29 not sure. Also was in the Civil Air Patrol in the early 60’s [Mitchel Flight] We used to drill all over the old base. It was a cool place to explore.

From Mitchel Field Aerials Part I: 1923-1928

The famous Little League photo with the NHT overpass that Sam’s page displays (taken by my Dad) shows the construction of PS179 next door. That was about March 1955 or so.

Does anyone (Howard?) have any further information about the “honorary” bridge over Francis Lewis Blvd? How long did it last? It was taken down and rebuilt after Francis Lewis Blvd was widened, but I don’t know exactly when that happened.
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Howard Kroplick

Mitch, I do not have any information on the “honorary bridge”.

From Updated:Mystery Foto #2 Solved:An Aerial of Fresh Meadows from the New York Life Archives Circa 1950

http://www.gjfippingerfdn.org/  is correct link but there is little information on the website.

From Update-1/23:The Vanderbilt Cup Race Driver who was Developing a Unique "City" Near the Motor Parkway

One more answer - possibly the driving is shooing away any chickens or bird that might be getting in the way.

From Mystery Painting #4 Solved: A 1962 Peter Helck Painting of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Not much time or energy this weekend but here’s what I say:
1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race - George Robertson and Glenn Etheridge in the Locomobie (16) and George Salzman driving a Thomas (12)

From Mystery Painting #4 Solved: A 1962 Peter Helck Painting of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

I vaguely remember air shows at Mitchel and troops parading in the Quad.  The F-82 Twin Mustang out of Mitchel which crashed near Hofstra in Hempstead on 04 May 1949 is noted on my Aviation page 5, <http://sbiii.com/aviatn-5.html#twin>, under F-82 Twin Mustang.  Also, as I recall, there was a semi-buried rifle and pistol range over on the south-west end of the Field and a commercial radio station operated (and may still operate) out of an old communications building.  LIRR steam loco #35 sat next to the westernmost hangar for many years before being moved up to Oyster Bay.  Sam, III

From Mitchel Field Aerials Part I: 1923-1928

*ID race, cars, drivers/mechanics:  VCR 10/24/1908. Locomobile #16- George Robertson/Glenn Ethridge ( Winners ).  Thomas #12-George Saltzman/Blancard ( 5th place. I guess Blancard is a surname ).

*What is the driver on the left doing? Described in one of Helck’s books:  This required a visit to The Half Hollow Hills Public Library ( an “all library” internet search showed they have both of Peter Helck’s books….Great Auto Races and The Checkered Flag. The following is a forward submitted by George Robertson in The Checkered Flag, pg. 75, 3rd paragraph:  In 1908, though, we had our day, I had outrun Haupt’s Chadwick but Herb Lytle, in the Isotta, was pushing me hard for the lead. We came up to one of the slower cars which was bouncing all over the road. It’s crew was unaware of us. We shouted, then I raced the motor to get attention. We were losing precious seconds. In desperation I unhooked a tire iron and let fly at the car ahead. My fine mechanic, Glenn Ethridge, grinned. We got by. So, Mr. Robertson on the left is in the process of flinging the tire iron at the Thomas #12 ( Saltzman/Blancard ). The Thomas ended up in 5th place. I guess they weren’t injured by the projectile.

*ID Peter Helck in the painting/rationale:  Peter Helck ( June 1893 - April 1988 ) is a teenager in 1908. He could have witnessed any of the VCR’s. I believe he’s the gentleman in light blue attire, wearing black boots. His right arm is resting on the end fence post. He looks “age” appropriate for 1962 ( 69 yrs old ).

I read that Mr. Helck had an superb memory. This painting displays this. He could have also utilized a photograph to create the painting. But I doubt that. I believe this painting was inspired by Mr. Robertson’s re-collection of the “tire iron” moment during the 1908 VCR.

This location may be an actual part of the course, Howard. I decided on 2 of your past blogs. 9/23/09 Film “Old 16 Locomobile”. At a 1:14 sec., there’s a “opposite view” of the #16 proceeding onward from a right curve. The surrounding area is similar to this painting. 3/20/13 LIMP First Highway in the World ( Michael Spiteri ). At :45 sec., a #7 car is proceeding onward from a right curve, then a #12 soon coming from behind ( Matheson #7 & Thomas #12 were entrants in the 1908 VCR ). The surrounding area is similar to this painting as well. Or maybe I’m stretching my imagination too far, LOL!

Many thanks to your website here Howard and The Half Hollow Hills Public Library.

From Mystery Painting #4 Solved: A 1962 Peter Helck Painting of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

I think this might be the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup race with the #16 car being the Locomobile (driver George Robertson, mechanician Glenn Etheridge) and # 12 car being the Thomas (driver George Salzman, mechanician Blancard). Since Peter Helck would have been 15 years old in 1908, I’m guessing he is the boy waving directly above the number 6 on the Locomobile. Could the driver be signaling to the 12 car that he is going to attempt to pass?

From Mystery Painting #4 Solved: A 1962 Peter Helck Painting of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

-Identify the race, race cars, drivers and mechanicians in the painting

According to the poster on the pole in the painting, it’s the 4th VCR on October 24, 1908. The #16 Locomobile driven by George Robertson/Mechanician: Glenn Ethridge is following the #12 Thomas driven by George Salzman/Mechanician: Blancard

-What is the the driver on the left doing? Hint: It is described in one of Peter Helck’s books

I’ve been unable to locate the answer on this one without the book, but the funny answer is he’s beating the Loco like a horse and jockey to try and muster up the HP to pass the Thomas!

-Peter Helck painted himself into the photo. Where is he? Provide a rationale.

The figure in blue with his hand resting on the fence post in the center looks like it could be him wearing beret similar to the one Helck would frequently wear.

From Mystery Painting #4 Solved: A 1962 Peter Helck Painting of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

I too remember as a kid eating dinner with planes flying right over the house, as well as the plane that crashed about a half mile away on Prospect Avenue.  During the ‘70’s I participated in autocross events at Mitchell Field put on by various car clubs (these are timed runs with your car through a course set up with traffic cones).  We also used to sneak onto the police training course there with our cars - great fun in the snow.  As a graduate of and adjunct professor at Nassau Community College, as well as a life long resident of East Meadow, I find these photos absolutely fascinating.  Thanks so much Howard.  BTW, congratulations on the great article on your Tucker in Hemmings Classic Car.

From Mitchel Field Aerials Part I: 1923-1928

Hi! I’m interested in purchasing a print of he “champion seeks other worlds to conquer” poster. Do you know where I might be able to find it?
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Howard Kroplick

Lauren, please forward your email address to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and I will send you a jpeg.

From Sports Car Illustrated "110 years ago William K. Vanderbilt Jr. sets new speed record"

FYI… that orange plane near the Swimming pool is a Skyfarer not an Ercoupe.
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Howard Kroplick

Dick, good catch! you are 100% correct.

From Cradle of Aviation Archives: The Aircraft of the Long Island Aviation Country Club Part I

Lewis Flink’ son Joe attended and saved magazines from this race.  Looking for more photos, very sharp memory.  Contact available if of interest.

Gary C
Elva registry
Vineland, NJ Speedway

From Archives: 1960 Vanderbilt Cup Race