Vanderbilt Cup Races

I think that the old b&w photo below Dave Russo’s “now” color photo was taken from the opposite direction.  Dave’s view is in the direction of the bridge, and you say that the old pic was taken FROM the bridge.

From Mystery Foto #22 Solved: A Long Island Motor Parkway Footprint East of Jerusalem Avenue In Levittown

Could that be Bernd Rosemeyer, winner of the 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Race, driving the Auto Union Type-C 6.3 Liter V-16 545 HP Streamliner on his way to an attempt at breaking the land speed record? If so, it’s not going to end well as Rosemeyer went airborne at about 270 mph, left the road, crashed and was killed on January 28, 1938.

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: Bernd Rosemeyer's Last Ride

Mystery photo #23… The race car is the streamlined V16 Auto Union driven by Bernd Rosemeyer. This driver won the Vanderbilt Cup race in1937 in an Auto Union Grand Prix car. The speed record attempt shown in the photo is dated January 28, 1937 AND sadly Rosemeyer died when the car crashed at 268 mph.

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: Bernd Rosemeyer's Last Ride

Was Robert Moses in power at this time?  I can imagine him vetoing any ‘rival’ roadway to what he had put together.

From The Day the Long Island Motor Parkway in Nassau County Actually Closed

The auto is an Auto Union, the forerunner of Audi and the driver is Bernd Rosemeyer.
On January 28, 1938 he crashed this machine while hitting a speed of 268 mph on a closed section of Germany’s Autobahn, in a speed record attempt.  He did not survive the crash.
Rosemeyer won the 1937 Vanderbilt Cup event held at Roosevelt Raceway driving an Auto Union.

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: Bernd Rosemeyer's Last Ride

Now we’re talkin’! I love when historical loves collide!

Identify the race car and driver

-Bernd Rosemeyer in an Auto Union Type-C Streamliner

Link the photo to the Vanderbilt Cup Races

-Rosemeyer raced the Auto Union in the 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races

Roosevelt Raceway - New York (USA), 5 July 1937
(Monday - delayed two days due to rain)
90 laps x 3 1/3 mi (5.364 km) = 300 mi (482.8 km)

No. Driver Entrant Car Type Engine
1 Mauri Rose T. B. Martin Maserati V8RI
2 Jimmy Snyder H.C. Henning Boyle-Miller  
3 Ted Horn H Hartz Wetteroth-Miller  
4 Bernd Rosemeyer Auto Union AG Auto Union C 6.0 V-16
5 Tazio Nuvolari Squderia Ferrari Alfa Romeo 12C-36 4.1 V-12
7 Billy Winn B Winn Summers-Miller 4.2
8 Deacon Litz, Malmacaan Team Maserati V8RI -DNA - did not appear
9 Ernst von Delius Auto Union AG Auto Union C 6.0 V-16
10 G. Farina Scuderia Ferrari Alfa Romeo 12C-36 V-12

What is the date of the photo and the results of the record attempt.

-This photo was taken the morning of January 28th, 1938.
At 11:47am, Bernd Rosemeyer was killed by cross winds. Interesting, translatable website with a great narration of the sad events.

https://www.freenet.de/auto/youngtimeroldtimer/rosemeyerunfall-details-des-rekordversuchs_194924_4714712.html

From Mystery Foto #23 Solved: Bernd Rosemeyer's Last Ride

the photo of the car just under Evan Price’s 1917 Nelsen is a 1937 Lincoln KB V12 convertible victoria with Brunn built body #1 owned by my good friend Jerry Beard of Massapequa, NY. His car’s story was written up in Hemmings Classic Car ,magazine.

From Highlights from the AACA Greater NY Region 51st Annual Spring Meet at Old Westbury Gardens

Amazing collection of Demogeot’s historical events, after a century! Thanks Howard.

From Comment of the Week: Who was Victor Demogeot?

I can say I cruised in that Tucker. My father David Tunick owned the car.
I remember it like it was yesterday. It had great presence while being surrounded by a ton of other great cars
Enjoy it. My father would be happy you’re driving it.
Good to see and Good luck with it

Stephen Tunick
_______________________________________________

Howard Kroplick:

Wow!

Stephen, I believe your father owned Tucker ‘48 #1044 from 1969 to 1973.

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/about/detail/tucker_48_1044

What color was the Tucker when your father owned it? Do you have any photos? If so, I would appreciate if you can send copies to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

From Video: Going for a Ride in Tucker 1044

The car show event was great, and enjoyable to all.  There were many different auto makes, models,  and years on the field.

From Highlights from the AACA Greater NY Region 51st Annual Spring Meet at Old Westbury Gardens

I also have one of these can in good condition, some rust, but one can read the words pretty well.  I thought of sanding and painting, but I want to find out if there is a value the way it is, before I do anything to it.  I’m not sure where or when I got the can, but I’ve had it many years.
                                              Bill Moore1-585-593-2372
                                                      Wellsville, NY, 14895

From Mystery Foto #86 Solved: Antique Five Gallon Can Manufactured by George D. Ellis & Sons, Inc.

Hi Richard - Curtiss Field was part of Roosevelt Field in Garden City where Lindbergh took off to Paris.
Curtiss-Wright Field was where the Green Acres mall is in Valley Stream in the early-mid ‘30s. The most northern hangar was destroyed to build the Home Depot. The remaining hangars still exist in the back.
Anticipating the LIACC historic markers will pull through soon!

From Mystery Foto #21 Solved: The Long island Motor Parkway Historic Site Kiosk in Bethpage State Park

Not sure if anyone will get/see this, but I have a question.  There is a 1911 set of auto drivers cards.  One of the cards is someone named “Demoget” and the card back states that he won fourth place in the 1904 event.  Does anyone happen to know anything of this man?

-kin
_____________________________________________
Howard Kroplick

Kin, Victor Demegeot was the mechanician for Victor Hemery’s Darracq that won the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/tag/victor+demogeot

Here is the definitive link on Victor Demogeot:

https://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/race_drivers_victor_demogeot

From Starting Lineup: The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

The photo of the Motor Parkway footprint is located in the Polaris ball field park just east of Jerusalem Ave, Levittown. 

The 1908,1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup races were held on this section. The 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes and 1909,1910 Massapequa Sweepstakes was also held on this section.

The reason for the footprint was due to dirt fill being placed over the remnants of the parkway pavement.

Several other footprint sections in the area are 1).The new Polaris ball field(next to the Polaris field), 2). ROW from Crocus Lane to Laurel Lane (Elija School), and 3). Heron Lane to Skimmer Lane (a small section).

From Mystery Foto #22 Solved: A Long Island Motor Parkway Footprint East of Jerusalem Avenue In Levittown

This appears to be in Levittown.  This could mean our favorite pavement is hiding under the surface.  All three races using the LIMP passed this location.
-joe

From Mystery Foto #22 Solved: A Long Island Motor Parkway Footprint East of Jerusalem Avenue In Levittown

Polaris ball field in Levittown/Hempstead Plains/Island Trees. Similar footprints nearby in New Polaris field one block to the east, and at Laurel Lane elementary school 3? blocks to the west.  I’m confident the Motor Parkway is just under that layer of grass, better preserved than at the school, where it’s slightly exposed and crumbling away. The 1908-10 Vanderbilt Cup Races once roared through here with thousands of spectators attending, flooding the roadsides and bridges for a close look. Those who could afford it were lucky to have a seat at the nearby grandstand, after walking through a muddy field from the train

From Mystery Foto #22 Solved: A Long Island Motor Parkway Footprint East of Jerusalem Avenue In Levittown

Levittown, site of the Grandstand and Pressbox by Orchid and Crocus Street is my guess, home of the 1908 1909 and 1910 races. Other footprints are numerous. I like to hike around Dead Man’s Curve and explore behind Roosevelt Field.

From Mystery Foto #22 Solved: A Long Island Motor Parkway Footprint East of Jerusalem Avenue In Levittown

I think the photo was taken in Levittown in the area surrounded by Crocus & Skimmer Lanes, Orchid & Blacksmith Roads. The 1908, 1909, & 1910 races all ran through this section. I think the LIMP road surface is just slightly below the grass thus not allowing for a substantial root system to develop causing a difference in coloration. Two other “footprint” areas that come to mind are just north of deadman’s curve near Sophia Street and in the vicinity of Maxxess Road.

From Mystery Foto #22 Solved: A Long Island Motor Parkway Footprint East of Jerusalem Avenue In Levittown

What abouT the fiberglass full size Tucker reproduction with a 71 ford engine, chassis and front seat. One is in Yespilanti mi. Musuem but I believe three are out there somewhere.

From Hemmings Motor News: "Tuckered Out- Here are all the Tuckers on public display in the U.S."

Levittown
Jerusalem Avenue looking east near Orchid Rd.
1908-1910 races passed this way.
Footprints would indicate the presence of pavement underground.
Other similar footprints are directly west along an undeveloped path between houses almost to Newbridge Road.

From Mystery Foto #22 Solved: A Long Island Motor Parkway Footprint East of Jerusalem Avenue In Levittown