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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
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Mystery Foto #50…The car in the photo is a 1912 FIAT. This car was historically significant because painting the Maier Select Kid logo on the hood marked the first time something other than an auto maker was billboarded on a California race car.
The owner at the time was, I believe, Maier Brewery. Maier Select was a beer. I think we see Barney Oldfield in the driver’s seat. This car ran in the Vanderbilt Cup race in Santa Monica in 1914. What I get a real kick out of on these early race cars is their engine size. This FIAT had 4 cylinders of 3.5 liters each giving us a massive 14 liters.
From Mystery Foto#50 Solved:The 1911 FIAT S74 Driven by Barney Oldfield in the May 1912 Santa Monica Race
Fiat S74 14.3 lts. with Barney Oldfield. Maier was a Brewery in Los Angeles and Maier Select was it`s featured brew. “Select Kid” was the name of the car and the first that was billboarded without a car brand in South California.
From Mystery Foto#50 Solved:The 1911 FIAT S74 Driven by Barney Oldfield in the May 1912 Santa Monica Race
The car is the 900 c.i. F-I-A-T which showed up, I believe, in 1911. The car shown was the first which had a non automotive sponsor on the bonnet. The racer was owned by, I believe, the LA based Maier Brewery who was advertising their “Select Kid” brew.
This photo may be May 4, 1912 of Barney Oldfield in the Santa Monica AGP…....which was run the same weekend as the Vanderbilt Cup on the same course. Barney must have had some difficulty that weekend as I’ve a photo of him in the pits appearing to survey a mechanical problem.
Anyway, glad to see a beer question. It gave me a chance.
Chuck
http://www.hopublishing.com/real-road-racing.html
From Mystery Foto#50 Solved:The 1911 FIAT S74 Driven by Barney Oldfield in the May 1912 Santa Monica Race
I’m picturing the look on passerbyers faces as your “exiting” out. Frank and I were checking out this area a bit recently, but going under there wasn’t in the cards. Thanks for the look see, Dave and Sam.
From Sam & Dave's Excellent Lost Motor Parkway Adventure II: Wheeler Farmway Bridge in Queens
Hi Dave and Sam,
Great adventure under the parkway. I was down there a number of years back and glad to see its still accessible. On list to do again!
From Sam & Dave's Excellent Lost Motor Parkway Adventure II: Wheeler Farmway Bridge in Queens
Ok to all moms out there (including sammys) I swear I went in there first and made sure the coast was clear before Sam came in!
How cool is it that this is still here? When you get down in there you can stand and walk around, it’s pretty cool. People walk, run, and bike all day long on this path and nobody is aware of the historical significance. We got several “what the **** are you guys doing” kind of looks but that’s ok, all in the name of exploration!
If you are brave (crazy) and want to check this out, definitely don’t go alone. Bring a friend.
From Sam & Dave's Excellent Lost Motor Parkway Adventure II: Wheeler Farmway Bridge in Queens
Very COOOOL. Thanks guys.
From Sam & Dave's Excellent Lost Motor Parkway Adventure II: Wheeler Farmway Bridge in Queens
Very interesting…..
From The Planned "Automobile Boulevard" in Riverhead (1907-1908) Updated: 12/4/16
This is neat. Great information from all, especially from eyes that were present to experience the event in detail! That’s the best.
From Mystery Foto #49 Solved:A 1957 Aerial of a "Spirit of St. Louis" Press Conference at Roosevelt Field
Identify the location and orientation of the aerial: Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall, looking Southwest. Clinton Road on the right, Stewart Avenue on the top.
On what date was the aerial taken? Feb. 18, 1957 (based on press conference answer below)
Identify the major buildings in the aerial: In mall, Macy’s to the south, Food Fair to the north (near the plane). Outside of mall, Esselte Pendeflex (Oxford Filing Supply) near Clinton and Stewart. Along Stewart, Equitable Insurance, LI Lighting Newsday, General Bronze. Also see the gas tank (top) and the water treatment plant (round tank on right side).
Why was there a press conference at this location? Promoting the 1957 film about and named the “Spirit of St. Louis”. But the press conference was more about teen idol, Tab Hunter, who was there but not even in the movie. Another press conference initiating the second flight of the Spirit by a member of the “Hap” Arnold Squadron” in 1956 also took place but that was in March of 1956, before the opening of Roosevelt Field which clearly was open when the mystery photo was taken.
Hey - just as I was writing this answer I heard an aircraft overhead that definitely wasn’t a jet (could it possibly be the ghost of Charles Lindbergh flying overhead as I’m just about 10 minutes from Roosevelt Field)? Alas, opening up the blinds and looking out it was just a helicopter!
Name one person who participated in the press conference: Besides actor Tab Hunter there was Sen. Jacob Javits and General Roger Browne of the First Air Force.
What Long Island Motor Parkway structures are seen in the aerial? General Managers Office and Garden City Lodge.
From Mystery Foto #49 Solved:A 1957 Aerial of a "Spirit of St. Louis" Press Conference at Roosevelt Field
We’re obviously looking at a recently completed Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall in Garden City with the photographer’s camera pointed south. That’s Macy’s with the white roof and Food Fair near the right border. In the background is the LILCO gas tank on Stewart Avenue and the old Curtiss Engineering Building. Since there is a plane in the parking lot which resembles the “Spirit of St. Louis”, could this be for the dedication of the original plaque to Charles Lindbergh which was at the north end of the mall and now sits near the Disney Store? If so, I’m thinking the photo could be from May, 1957 on the 30th. anniversary of his famous flight. Maybe Lucky Lindy himself was at the press conference. Regarding the LIMP, we can see a small remnant of the parkway along with the Garden City toll lodge and the General Manager’s office in the upper right area.
From Mystery Foto #49 Solved:A 1957 Aerial of a "Spirit of St. Louis" Press Conference at Roosevelt Field
Identify the location and orientation of the aerial
On what date was the aerial taken?
Identify the major buildings in the aerial
Why was there a press conference at this location?
Name one person who participated in the press conference
What Long Island Motor Parkway structures are seen in the aerial?
Going on a pure guess this week and saying this aerial is looking South at the opening of the new, outdoor, Roosevelt Field Mall and it’s buildings in 1956. There appears to be a replica Spirit Of St Louis parked where the ice skating rink will eventually be. Maybe Charles Lindbergh was there with Jimmy Stewart promoting the new Lindbergh movie opening around that time! Ha!
Garden City Lodge and The Parkway Manager’s office can be seen off of Clinton in the upper right.
From Mystery Foto #49 Solved:A 1957 Aerial of a "Spirit of St. Louis" Press Conference at Roosevelt Field
Roosevelt Field - photo taken looking North/Northeast (north at the top of the photo).
5/20/1927
Charles Lindbergh was at the press conference
Lindbergh began his Transatlantic flight there.
From Mystery Foto #49 Solved:A 1957 Aerial of a "Spirit of St. Louis" Press Conference at Roosevelt Field
these photos are of Roosevelt field shopping mall around 1958
From Mystery Foto #49 Solved:A 1957 Aerial of a "Spirit of St. Louis" Press Conference at Roosevelt Field
Not much of a clue as to the press conference but it’s clearly early Roosevelt Field Shopping Center looking SW at the intersection of Glen Cove/Clinton Road and Stewart Avenue. Macy’s flagship store and Girl Scout HQ. LILCO gas holder and Curtiss plant across Stewart. Garden City sewage treatment plant dome, G. C. Toll Lodge and Super’s House this side of Stewart. Only clue is what appears to be a replica of Lindy’s Ryan N-X-211 in the foreground, so it’s probably one of the three 1956 replicas made for the Warner Bros. film; thus, Lindy (and/or Jimmy Stewart) was probably there. The picture seems too early for donation of the Cradle’s replica N-159. Sam, III
From Mystery Foto #49 Solved:A 1957 Aerial of a "Spirit of St. Louis" Press Conference at Roosevelt Field
The photo is Roosevelt Field Mall looking south towards Mitchell Field. The tall steel tank looks like the coal bin or gas at Mitchell Field. The date is 1957 the 30 the-anniversary flight of Charles Lindbergh flight to Paris. The movie The Spirit of St Loius was just released. Mr Lindbergh and his wife were in attendance. I think the Garden City toll house is west or right side of the photo.
From Mystery Foto #49 Solved:A 1957 Aerial of a "Spirit of St. Louis" Press Conference at Roosevelt Field
Mystery Foto #49… The photo shows the Roosevelt Field Mall looking northwest. This shot was done in April 1957. Some of the buildings shown are Macy’s, Woolworth, Wallgreens and Food Fair. The rest of my answer will be guessing. There may have been a press conference for the premier of the movie “The Spirit of St Louis”. The plane shown in the middle bottom of the photo is a “Spirit of St Louis” replica as used in the movie. Charles Lindberg and/or Actor Jimmy Stewart may have participated in the conference.
P.S. The reason that I recognized the plane and the pic is that I was there when the plane was on display participating in a L.I.S.C.A. sports car Gymkhana in a nearby parking lot. While I was at the Gymkhana The plane’s engine was started and after a warm up it axied out to the Mall roadway where it promptly took off in a strong head wind. AND SO I am able to brag to those who will listen that I was at Roosevelt Field when the Spirit of St. Louis took off!!!!
From Mystery Foto #49 Solved:A 1957 Aerial of a "Spirit of St. Louis" Press Conference at Roosevelt Field
October 3, 1956 announcement of the opening of the Roosevelt Field Mall.
View looking southwest with the easily identified checkered LILCO gas tank.
Running left to right across top, Stewart Avenue, LIMP, the A&P warehouse
And the old Curtiss Aircraft factory and Commercial Avenue, Clinton Road. She
The press conference probably included developer William Zeckendorf.
From Mystery Foto #49 Solved:A 1957 Aerial of a "Spirit of St. Louis" Press Conference at Roosevelt Field
Another amazing aerial, possibly a Fairchild’s. The scene at first had great resemblance to Green Acres Shopping Mall in Valley Stream looking northwest, former site of Curtiss-Columbia Airfield (1930-1939?), but the outer roadways didn’t match. And then it struck. This is Roosevelt Field Outdoor Shopping Mall looking southwest 1956?, with its outer ring-roadways in full glory. The checkered gas tank also helped determine location. The Motor Parkway structure(s) in the aerial were not visible to me but they’re either/and; the Clinton Road parkway bridge (a treacherous underpass), the LIMP Manager’s House at Vanderbilt Court (still existing), or the LIMP Garden City Lodge (later moved to 230 7th Street, Garden City as the Garden City Chamber of Commerce). I’ve yet to visit inside but there’s a museum in its basement I’m told. Something definitely worth checking out. Don’t know the major buildings in the aerial but guessing shopping paraphernalia, Gimbels, Macys? The press conference had to be for the crazy pilot who landed in that micro field out front. Having fun Howard, thank you for sharing a wonderful website.
From Mystery Foto #49 Solved:A 1957 Aerial of a "Spirit of St. Louis" Press Conference at Roosevelt Field
Awesome pictures - Roosevelt Field
From Mystery Foto #49 Solved:A 1957 Aerial of a "Spirit of St. Louis" Press Conference at Roosevelt Field
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