Vanderbilt Cup Races

George Bennett Smth’s Garage on the corner of Henry Street & E Merrick Rd. There’s more to come.

From Mystery Foto #42 Solved: The Vehicles and Many Cool Things in this 1908 Freeport Garage Photo

When I first looked at it,I thought it was where Krug’s Hotel was,shucks,it’s not,it’s in Mineola and this is in Freeport.

From Mystery Foto #42 Solved: The Vehicles and Many Cool Things in this 1908 Freeport Garage Photo

At first sight the building reminds me of Collins Auto Parts in Freeport. The type of stone block on the building & the downward hill make me think so.  They closed about 15 years ago.  Located at 23 E Merrick Rd, on the corner of Henry St. in Freeport.  Later today, on my way to work I will pass the location & take a picture of the existing building if it is still there.

From Mystery Foto #42 Solved: The Vehicles and Many Cool Things in this 1908 Freeport Garage Photo

Anything’s possible with the posts. Sam, you’ve achieved beyond expectations!
ANY expression at McD would’ve been appropriate. That was one hellava trip! You guys rock. Let’s Go Mets!

From Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure" V: East Williston to Mineola

Not much to contribute to solving this week’s mystery photo but some information provided in Kleiner’s Korner sent seperately to Howard. 

G. (George) Bennett Smith went from servicing the bicycle market to auto sales and service.  He owned the first autos (first one being a Locomobile Steamer) and opened the first auto dealership in the area in 1907 and opened a garage later at 23 E. Merrick Road (intersection of Henry Street) in Freeport.  He retired in 1937 and died in 1945.  He was very prominent in business and community affairs.

From Mystery Foto #42 Solved: The Vehicles and Many Cool Things in this 1908 Freeport Garage Photo

Many cool things in that photo but the best is the old fashion mailbox and the price of gas 18 cents? Holy crap

From Mystery Foto #42 Solved: The Vehicles and Many Cool Things in this 1908 Freeport Garage Photo

My, we sure stray far afield from the VCR and LIMP, don’t we?  Don’t know the cars but the SLOW DOWN sign, the quick-acting grease gun, familiar old post-mounted mail box (they were painted with surplus Army Olive Drab), and 18¢ gas caught my eye; that latter had only gone up to 19¢ in NJ and 25¢ in NY by 1950 when I started driving (legally)- it paid to drive through the Holland Tunnel to NJ and back just to get a full tank!  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #42 Solved: The Vehicles and Many Cool Things in this 1908 Freeport Garage Photo

Now you’re in my old home territory!  What happened to the stretch down south through the Mineola DPW yard to the LIRR main line and across the tracks alongside the east side of the Fairhaven Apts. to Old Country Road (with many posts)?  The posts along the south side of the WHGC were definitely moved - last I looked, there were a slew of them neatly relocated directly across the RoW and only a few feet apart.  Love your adventures - thanks!  Sam, III

From Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure" V: East Williston to Mineola

The cars look to be near new. Lt. Pope Hartford, ctr. American Underslung, Rt. 1906 N Ford [ no running boards ]. The motor bike looks like Indian. Interesting traffic sign may pre-date traffic lights. 18 cent gas works for me. Very well built building - first story cinder blocks. The American Underslung must be very early with no headlight cross bracing. Found one with UK coachwork with no bracing.

From Mystery Foto #42 Solved: The Vehicles and Many Cool Things in this 1908 Freeport Garage Photo

Wonderful photo and cool indeed: a moment frozen-in almost 110 years ago and coming to life now! I will concentrate on the cars. On the left a 1906 Pope-Hartford 20-28 HP model (it can be dated exactly because of the shape of the crank handle, which changes in the next year’s model). On the right a Ford model N (the model R was almost identical, but had running boards; the model S had differently shaped fenders). It was produced from 1906-1908. The centrepiece is an American underslung roadster, which in this shape was produced almost unchanged from 1907, the first year they offered this model, to 1909. After that year the radiator shape was different. There is one detail that points to 1907 and that is the length of the shackles between front spring and spring horn. At some time in 1907 or 1908 they were reduced considerably in length and they disappear after 1909. My guess would therefore be that the photo was made in 1907.
Were there any Vanderbilt Cup connections for these makes? Yes, Pope-Hartford had two participants in the 1910 edition (Bert Dingley and Jack Fleming), while American participated in 1909 (Willy Haupt) as well as in 1910 (William Wallace). Ford of course never participated.

And of course congrats to the Mets and good luck in the championship!!

From Mystery Foto #42 Solved: The Vehicles and Many Cool Things in this 1908 Freeport Garage Photo

The cars are a guess.  On the right possibly a Deauville?  American Underslung roadster in the center?  No guess on just the grille on the left.

Cool items?

The first photo of Manny, Moe and Jack?

It appears the cars drive in the front door for repair.

Dirt street, doesn’t even look like gravel.

Cars are parked in opposite directions on both streets indicating staying right wasn’t yet in vogue.

Appears to be a phone booth built into the building at the left.

Gas at 18 cents but no dispensing machines in view, perhaps it was sold by the can.

I’ve always loved the painted on signage, not seen much anymore.

Bicycle shop sharing space with auto repairs, probably using the same set of tools for both at the time, and both go in the same front door.

Telegraph pole concreted into the ground, perhaps it was expected to last as long as the concrete.

What appears to possibly be an Indian motorbike, by the rounded tank, just setting outside next to the fire hydrant.  I don’t believe that is a mail box next to it, may be for the peace officers of the time.

Grease gun is such a major item it earns its’ own SALE banner.

From Mystery Foto #42 Solved: The Vehicles and Many Cool Things in this 1908 Freeport Garage Photo

Circa 1908 photograph of George Bennett Smith’s garage located at the corner of 23 East Merrick Road and Henry Street, Freeport, NY.

A garage that repaired and sold supplies for automobiles. As well as being an official agent for the Ben Fish Tire Company and The Hartford Rubber Works Company, a good selection of oil and lubricants can be seen in the front window.  Not uncommon for the day, it also catered to the bicyclist, selling both new bikes and parts. As can be seen on the banner above, it seems Mr. Smith also sold the W.P. Miller ‘Quick Operating Grease Gun’ designed by William P. Miller.

To the left of the photo is a 1906 Pope-Hartford Model L 25/30h.p.
A 1908 American Underslung Model 50 takes precedence in front of the dwelling.
To the right is a Ford Model N Runabout and what looks to be the same behind.
A nicely equipped 1908 Reading Standard 1908 “Model A” sits proudly on the sidewalk. Gasoline was 18¢ but I would use it for anything today other than washing parts.
One particular detail that caught my eye was the gentleman standing second from left holding something in his left hand. Curious to know what it could be.

From Mystery Foto #42 Solved: The Vehicles and Many Cool Things in this 1908 Freeport Garage Photo

RE: Race Car Medallion….probably from a turn of the century race at Indy….check out
http://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/. In those days Indy hosted car, airplane and dirigible airship races.

From Seven Upcoming Automotive Events (August 12-13, 2012) & A Mystery Medallion

Guess what,I might know something about this one,I have to check it out to be sure.

From Mystery Foto #42 Solved: The Vehicles and Many Cool Things in this 1908 Freeport Garage Photo

Hey Frank—-this area just north of Westbury Ave is easily accessible. Just take your car to end of Raff/Fairfield or Dow Ave and park and just walk in. Better viewing in winter / early spring for sure though but worth a trip one day.

That was Howard’s comment regarding the posts but I definitely agree with him. Those posts run east/west and at that point the road is north/south. I would guess this was a Country Club worker’s creativity. Now if I could only get Howard to answer some of those previous questions from the last post! But in fairness to him I think he’s busy watching these Mets do something they haven’t done in a long time, win! Good game last night!

Sam was funny. Told me “thanks…I look like an idiot in that McDonalds picture”. I told him not to worry. No chicks are gonna see it! Those nuggets were well deserved!

From Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure" V: East Williston to Mineola

This is very cool footage that I’ve never seen before. Thank you guys for sharing this. Looks like some rough terrain going on through there. I love this challenge. It’s unlikely any posts were ever re-positioned. At best, they would have been removed entirely, especially for new home building. What I’ve gathered over time from Howard, Sam III, Robert, and others, is that the posts served not only right-of -way, but also for exits, and other means to keep the parkway as safe as possible throughout its length. Keep exploring guys

From Sam & Dave's "Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure" V: East Williston to Mineola

Congrats Howard, that 63 prototype will always stand out on top of all descendants. And that grilleless Cobra, that’s what I’ve would have done. And the 280z’s. Ugh, I missed another show. Beautiful automobiles gentlemen. Congrats to all

From Highlights from the 11th Annual Americana Manhasset Concours d'Elegance Updated: 11/2/15

I thought Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt’s 250hp double engine Fiat driven by Paul Sartori held the monster machine title but not sure anymore. What monstrosity this one is. 900+ c.i. displacement to produce 100hp compared to today’s 1000 c.i. @ 2100hp. We’ve come a long way.

From Mystery Foto #41 Solved: The 1905 Premier Racer That Was Not Allowed to Run in the American Trial

It had to be the best ford,it was the only one like it,sure winner every time. I hope you have a trophy room

From Highlights from the 11th Annual Americana Manhasset Concours d'Elegance Updated: 11/2/15

Interesting stuff!

From Mystery Foto #41 Solved: The 1905 Premier Racer That Was Not Allowed to Run in the American Trial