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
Few auto enthusiasts accomplished more than Austie. The stories of the auto shows he organized in New York City are amazing.
HR
From Hemmings Daily: Site of former Long Island Automotive Museum sells decades after it closed
The section of the Motor Parkway which you can observe in the photo is from just west of Claremont Rd (Battle Row campground today- Old Bethpage) to just east of Broad Hollow Rd (NYS RT. 110 - Melville).
There are 3 bridges still standing in the photo, 1). Claremont Rd PW(ST), 2). Old Bethpage PW, 3). Clody Farm bridge.
The Broad Hollow Rd (RT 110) was taken down by this time.
None of the Vanderbilt Cup Races were held on this section of the Parkway. The 1908 race came off of the parkway and went onto Round Swamp Rd and then northwest. Round Swamp Rd is not displayed on the photo This would be just left of the left edge of the photo.
From Updated: Mystery Foto #35 Solved: A 1950 Aerial of the Motor Parkway in Old Bethpage & Melville
Holy mackerel, Andy! Look at the first car at the far left in the far row. It’s my little 1961 Ford Anglia - my Jag wasn’t running and Austie let me onto the track to do a very-creditable lap with the oversquare engine barely laboring. Somewhere, I have pix buried of the sad demise of that 5th Ave. bus in Farmingdale ca. 1980. Sam, III
From Hemmings Daily: Site of former Long Island Automotive Museum sells decades after it closed
Here I go wild-guessing again but the only loopy-loop area like that I can think of is the 110-Maxess-Ruland-Pinelwan locus. I can’t make out enough detail to guess further. If it IS that location, much of the RoW remains hidden away in there and should be explored further. Sam, III
From Updated: Mystery Foto #35 Solved: A 1950 Aerial of the Motor Parkway in Old Bethpage & Melville
“Pictured is a motorist paying a toll - - “? Not hardly; not unless they threw the money out as they raced madly by! Similarly, the SECOND” “Initially, - - ” caption is off. Sorry ‘bout that. Sam, III
From Motor Parkway and Vanderbilt Cup Races Featured in New Book on Plainview-Old Bethpage
Oh, my; that group shot at top was the ca. 1961 CCCA CAR-AVAN to the LIAM and the Bridgehampton track in August 1961 to which I’ve referred here on occasion. I vas dere, Cholly! The Duesy conv. second in in the second rank is Max Obie’s car shown that same day at the track at <http://sbiii.com/automot2.html#clasicar> (scroll down and then be sure to look in the background of the second shot!). That’s the same car which went airborne, as related at <http://sbiii.com/automotv.html> (scroll half-way down). Sam, III
From Hemmings Daily: Site of former Long Island Automotive Museum sells decades after it closed
An amazing show of precious cars here. Thanks to all for the opportunity to capture this event.
From Updated: VanderbiltCupRaces.com's Open House at Waterfront at Roslyn Draws a Great Crowd
Sad ...Yes it’s been said many times before, I know…
From Hemmings Daily: Site of former Long Island Automotive Museum sells decades after it closed
Howard,
We can’t thank you enough for the invitation and wonderful day. The pictures posted are wonderful as well. My wife and I had a great time and we gave the ‘66 Corvette a wonderful run that day without a hitch. After 40 years the car still runs great! We look forward to doing this again. Have a great evening.
________________________________________
Howard Kroplick
Scott & Vicki, thanks for sharing your super Corvette!
From Updated: VanderbiltCupRaces.com's Open House at Waterfront at Roslyn Draws a Great Crowd
With north at the top of the photo, this section is in the Old Bethpage / Melville area.
Four bridges were built along this part of the LIMP: (left to right) Claremont Road; Old Bethpage Village; Clody Farmway; Broad Hollow Road. The first three were still standing in 1950 with only Broad Hollow Road having been demolished. No races were run on this section although the 1908 race came close to the area, exiting the LIMP just off the left side of the photo at Round Swamp Road.
From Updated: Mystery Foto #35 Solved: A 1950 Aerial of the Motor Parkway in Old Bethpage & Melville
Happy Labor Day!
*ID this section of the LIMP: From W/O Claremont Rd, Old Bethpage to E/O Broad Hollow Rd, Melville.
*ID LIMP bridges seen in Aerial: Claremont Ave ( appears intact ), Old Bethpage ( Claire Foster Farm ), and Clody Farmway ( utilized by Melville Sand Pits ).
*ID LIMP bridge demolished: Parkway bridge that spanned over Broadhollow Rd&Trolley; Line.
*VCR’s held within this section: None.
*1908 VCR: Furthest point east was at Bethpage Lodge, then north on
Round Swamp Rd.
*1909/10 VCR’s: Furthest point east was at Massapequa Lodge, then
north on Hicksville Rd.
From Updated: Mystery Foto #35 Solved: A 1950 Aerial of the Motor Parkway in Old Bethpage & Melville
I agree with Greg O. that there are two Long Island Automobile Club signs on the telephone pole in his photo. I personally have two Long Island Automobile Club signs with three towns listed on them. The one and two town signs are all 9 inches high. My 2 three town signs are 12 inches high. One sign lists Locust Valley, Glen Cove, and Bayville, while the other lists Locust Valley, Glen Cove, and Lattingtown. It would be nice to get the actual photo Greg mentions to get a clearer image of the signs to see what towns are listed. If you want a picture of my 2 signs I would be happy to send it to you.
__________________________________________
Howard Kroplick
Great, please email them to me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) . Thanks!
From Motor Parkway and Vanderbilt Cup Races Featured in New Book on Plainview-Old Bethpage
GREAT SHOW AT YOUR GARAGE LAST WEEKEND. MY 14 YEAR OLD GRANDSON LOVED SEEING YOUR CARS.
THANKS
From One Event This Saturday on Long Island (Updated: November 17, 2017)
Enjoyed your latest Motor Parkway presentation as usual. Can still remember walking on the Parkway in 1953 when I was 15 years old. This would have been in the Bethpage area.
Ken
From Motor Parkway and Vanderbilt Cup Races Featured in New Book on Plainview-Old Bethpage
Howard, Thanks for posting those terrific photos of the day at your place in Roslyn.
I’m sorry that I couldn’t make it due to a conflict. Congrats on a great day!
Roger
From Updated: VanderbiltCupRaces.com's Open House at Waterfront at Roslyn Draws a Great Crowd
Howard,
Thank you for once again hosting a very enjoyable day of automotive history and making new friends. Meeting Mike, Sean, and Ty was a pleasure in itself, one we were glad to be able to share. My brother Tom and I had a great time, and I look forward toward a return visit to the Waterfront Garage sometime in the future.
Thanks again for the invitation, and enjoy the holiday weekend!—Ernie :>)
From Updated: VanderbiltCupRaces.com's Open House at Waterfront at Roslyn Draws a Great Crowd
Thanks, Walter,
Along with everything else Austin did; he was a board member of Bridgehampton Road Races Corporation which acquired the land for and developed the Race Circuit in 1955-56. In 1971, my group, Bridgehampton Racing Group, were given a lease by them to run the track, which we did until 1984. The “glory years” were in the ‘60’s, but a lot of people got their racing training and a lot of memories at “The Bridge” right up to the end in the ‘90’s.
From Hemmings Daily: Site of former Long Island Automotive Museum sells decades after it closed
Another relic gone. I remember the huts. Sad. Mitch
From Hemmings Daily: Site of former Long Island Automotive Museum sells decades after it closed
Thank you again Howard for sharing your wonderful collection and stories Rita has a photo book for you when we meet again JeRita
From Updated: VanderbiltCupRaces.com's Open House at Waterfront at Roslyn Draws a Great Crowd
Identify this section of the Motor Parkway: Old Bethpage east into Melville approaching Route 110
Identify the Motor Parkway bridge(s) that still can be seen in this aerial.
Claremont Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge
Farmway Bridge going into the Old Bethpage Restoration Village
Clody Farmway Bridge
Route 110 Bridge
Identify the location of Motor Parkway bridge(s) in this aerial that had been taken down. Don’t believe there were any.
Which Vanderbilt Cup Races were held on this section of the Motor Parkway? None - Races ended at Round Swamp Road, just west of the beginning of the Motor Parkway in this area.
From Updated: Mystery Foto #35 Solved: A 1950 Aerial of the Motor Parkway in Old Bethpage & Melville
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