Vanderbilt Cup Races

CONGRATULATIONS !
WHAT A THRILL to hear them announce CHRYSLER’S CHRYSLER as FIRST PLACE in AMERICAN CLASSICS ! 
There is no greater automotive award than those from Pebble Beach’s Concourse d’Elegance, and to see Howard, Roz, John and guest rolling up to the winners’ circle to receive their well deserved award was memorable.

From The 26 First in Class Winners at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

-Identify the location of the aeriral and key roads and structures.

Over Roosevelt Field, Roosevelt Raceway and Mitchell Field. Old Country Road across the top, Stewart Ave next to the closed LIMP in the center, and Hempstead Tpke at the bottom.

-What is the approximate date of the aerial? Why?

September 1, 1948
Roosevelt Raceway harness track opened in 1940 and the Meadowbrook Parkway construction didn’t start until 1953. I also identified the aerial and the exact date on one of my aerial database websites that I frequently visit.

-How is the aerial related to the Long Island Motor Parkway, the Vanderbilt Cup Races and aviation history?

The LIMP travels through the center of the photo, and there are portions of a few Cup race courses. There’s plenty of history within the few airfields, but most noteable would be Lindbergh’s 1927 Trans-Atlantic takeoff from Hazelhurst Field where Roosevelt race way is standing in the photo.

From Mystery Foto #82 Solved: Aerial View of Mitchel Field and Roosevelt Field on September 1, 1948

Mitchell Field / Roosevelt Raceway / Early 1900’ /30s?

From Mystery Foto #82 Solved: Aerial View of Mitchel Field and Roosevelt Field on September 1, 1948

I never expected you to win against that other Chrysler, which is older and the Packard too, both doing the 85 miles. The judges really had to take a lot into consideration for this one and it came out for your benefit, which was well earned and deserved by you

From The 26 First in Class Winners at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

The Aurora Trophy is available for anyone who might be interested in adding it to their collection.  I can be contacted at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  Thank you all once again for your assistance in identifying this trophy.

From Mystery Foto #81 Solved: A Cup Associated with the 1911 Aurora Trophy Race Won by Mortimer Roberts

CONGRATULATIONS !
What a pleasure to see you all at the Tour, Carmel, and the Concours, and then to bask in your reflected Glory upon the Chrysler being awarded FIRST PLACE in the AMERICAN CLASSIC CLOSED CARS Division !
__________________________________
Bruce, great to see you in California. Thanks for the photos!

From Chrysler's Chrysler Completes the 85-Mile Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance

Wow who compiled that list of guitars that has used Les Paul’s!!!!  You may want to edit the list since it did not include one of the best guitarists of his day James Patrick Page.  The prototype that inspired guitarists for the last 40 years.  Not only that how many signature models have been produced with his name on it.  Not to forget one of his guitars was named the black beauty!  Wow guess people just don’t know history any longer.  Must be a punk rockers blog.  Don’t forget Jeff Beck and Joe Walsh too.

From The Black Beauty Meets The Black Beast in Roslyn

Interesting only two pre WWII American cars were chosen by C & D magazine. That magazine is known for its coverage of boy racer sports cars, for them to choose a formal town car as a favorite is astounding! Congratulations Howard!
Also note that both the Chrysler and Packard were worked on by the same shop and wound up in the same semi trailer for their trip to California and the concours. The Packard had major overheating issues before it arrived at the shop which were rectified and it and the Chrysler both drove the 85 mile tour over hill (some pretty big hills) and dale before the show. Automotive Restorations in Lebanon, NJ , its owner Steve Babinsky, and his amazing crew of craftsmen have to be one of the top shops in North America.

From Car and Driver's Ten Favorite Automobiles at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

The Chrysler look’s great, good luck.  Congratulations at Pebble Beach

From Car and Driver's Ten Favorite Automobiles at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Yes! Congratulations Howard and Roz on this super rare and difficult achievement. Incredible work by all. That car looks great. Hope to see her soon.

From Chrysler's Chrysler Awarded First in Class at Pebble Beach

I found that the Sterling proof mark is that of Meriden Britannia Company, CT.  They made silver flatwear, jewelery, trophies etc…

From Mystery Foto #81 Solved: A Cup Associated with the 1911 Aurora Trophy Race Won by Mortimer Roberts

Thanks so much for everyone’s efforts in solving this mystery. It’s great to be able to link this trophy back to a race won over 100 yrs ago.  I have to ask if anyone has ever seen any memorabilia from that era similar to this as one suggested?  It seems unlikely to me that such a large sterling silver trophy with the elaborate engraving would of been available to spectators.  I don’t know what Sterling cost back in 1911, but one would have to have been very well off to afford such a piece I’d imagine.  And, would would it make sense that memorabilia would have the actual winners name, times, speed etc…engraved on the cup?  You would think it would be very basic and just say “Aurora Race 1911”, or something to that effect.  The next question I may ask of all of you, would be the value of such a piece today as is?  I realize now it’s not the premiere trophy of the day, but it’s only one of four Elgin Trophy’s known to exist today.  Thanks again for all of your expertise and look forward to any future comments.

From Mystery Foto #81 Solved: A Cup Associated with the 1911 Aurora Trophy Race Won by Mortimer Roberts

Hi Herbert,

Your story really amazes me. Though I’m not an automobilia collector, it seems to me that it is virtually impossible not to have seen ever one of this enormous amount of phonies?! And why this one, which in my opinion wasn’t the most important cup of that day? Anyway, even if it is true, it won’t be too difficult to test this cup on authenticity.

Regards,
Ariejan

From Mystery Foto #81 Solved: A Cup Associated with the 1911 Aurora Trophy Race Won by Mortimer Roberts

I knew him as Henry Austin or Austin. We met once. I am expert in vintage car valuing but in the late 1980’s there was no Internet to look up information and where could you find information?  I met and called him when I got stuck on a vintage car.  I did not know about. He said call back in a hour. “I have to dig something up”. He was the god of vintage car resource.  He help published that Standard American Car Guide for pre-1940. That’s my bible and rare book. It never republished. When he died in 1991, I lost a good freind and he helped me understand the true meaning of reseaching cars. He was such a gifted man..

From Henry Austin Clark Jr.'s 1911 Type 35R Raceabout to be Auctioned in Monterey

CONGRATULATIONS!!! and thanks to you the history of Chrysler’s Chrysler continuous

From Chrysler's Chrysler Awarded First in Class at Pebble Beach

Congratulations to you and everyone connected with this magnificent effort; truly an outstanding achievement! Can’t wait to see the Chrysler in person.

From Chrysler's Chrysler Awarded First in Class at Pebble Beach

WOW !!  warmest congratulations on a well-deserved distinguished achievement !
Please send a closeup photo of the trophy.
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Vera, a closeup of the trophy has been added above.

From Chrysler's Chrysler Awarded First in Class at Pebble Beach

Congrats Howard and Roz.      PS_ I think you did good to wear the CHRYSLER hat instead of the Kroplick Killers hat.

From Chrysler's Chrysler Awarded First in Class at Pebble Beach

I TOLD you so!  I am SO pleased for you both!  (Glad you had wipers.)  Sam, III

From Chrysler's Chrysler Awarded First in Class at Pebble Beach

NOT SO LONG AGO, WHEN YOU HAD PURCHASED THE “BLACK BEAST”, ONE WOULD THINK THAT LIFE DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS. YOU HAVE GONE SO FAR BEYOND THAT CONCEPT, AND PROVEN, YES LIFE DOES GET BETTER. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, ROZ AND YOUR TEAM THAT MADE THIS HAPPEN. THRU YOUR RESTORATION UPDATES, YOU HAVE TAKEN MANY FRIENDS ALONG WITH YOU. REGARDS, BOB

From Chrysler's Chrysler Awarded First in Class at Pebble Beach