Vanderbilt Cup Races

Herb here,
I know all about Moritimer or “Less time Rob” is what we called him ,back in the days of abbott racing. If this cup is the original, it is the holy grail of racing cups. Rumors are, if you drink a bottle of Brut champagne from the cup before the race, you were guaranteed a win. If this is real, which is highly suspect since the Chinese have faked this very cup with producing upwards of 600,000 phonies, I am prepared to open my checkbook and offer you what ever you are asking.

Herb

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

This is the trophy that Mortimer Roberts won for The Aurora Cup race in Elgin, Illinois Aug 25, 1911.

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

-Identify the race associated with the trophy
Trophy was won for winning the Aurora Cup, one of three races run on 8/25/11 at the Elgin, Ill. Raceway. The Aurora trophy race was for cars from 201 - 361 cubic inches of displacement.

-Provide any other information on the trophy
The trophy was valued at $750, $300 in cash and $450 in equipment and possibly was provided by the Elgin National Watch Company which provided the trophy for the more distinguished National Cup also run at Elgin.  As per documentation being sent Howard, this trophy may only be one of four Elgin cups still around.

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

This is the Aurora Cup, which was won by Mortimer Roberts at Elgin on August 25, 1911. The race for the Aurora Cup was meant for stock cars from 161 to 230 ci displacement and was run on the same day as the Elgin National Trophy. The full story can be read in the Automobile Topics’ issue of September 2, 1911 on p.1107 ff. http://books.google.com/books?id=EOlZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1107&lpg=PA1107&dq=September+2+1911+Automobile+topics+Elgin&source=bl&ots=pXHRumzQHD&sig=meL_gpvOK7R_24tyfqLf36TgtHA&hl=en&sa=X&ei=cGzzU528Fc3IsAT5gIFA&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=September%202%201911%20Automobile%20topics%20Elgin&f=false

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

HI MARTY ABOUT 2 YRS AGO, I GOT A 1937 DODGE FROM A KOOL MAN NAMED BUDDY,, WE WERE TALKIN ABOUT FREEPORT & HE TOLD ME ABOUT YOU,, I RACED IN EARLY 70 DEES,, DEMO& BOMERS,,WON DEMO,, STILL HAVE THE PIC OF ME HOLDIN FLAG ,MY FRIEND WAS WITH ME & HIS CAR DIED, SO I DRAGED HIM INTO FLICK,, WE HADE A BALL,, GONNA MEET YOU ON WENSDAY MADE APP. ALREADY,,MY SON IS COMING FROM IND,, WITH ME & FRIENDS,,LOOKIN FORWARD TO MEETING YOU,I THINK WHAT YOUR DOIN IS FN GREAT, STAY SAFE,, SEE YOU AT 11;OO,, I WILL BRING THE PIC WITH ME

From Video "An Evening with Marty Himes"

Well Howard, this is the first glorious day with that One Of, how was it, I can imagine how excited you were riding around, showing it off, along with all the others, now for a little rest from that until the big day. Relax and enjoy till then

From Chrysler's Chrysler's Specifications

Bob says:
August 8, 2014 at 4:22 pm

I got to see this one in person in its run down condition. I can say that I am astounded with the work that’s been done. Great job!
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autobug2 says:
August 8, 2014 at 4:44 pm

I nearly forgot about this gem being restored! Im going to have to look up some info. on this town car, like where was it all these years, and what did it look like when found?
Richard: PLEASE tell us you folks plan on doing a spread on this majestic beast in CAR COLLECTOR?
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  Ed says:
  August 9, 2014 at 9:11 pm

  A few pictues here:
  http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2011/11/16/walter-chryslers-one-off-imperial-town-car-to-be-sold/
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      Wm Bergmann says:
      August 11, 2014 at 1:35 pm

      Thanks for the link. This will be a real treat to see when it is done.

      Thanks to Hemmings for making this possible.
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Scotty G says:
August 8, 2014 at 4:55 pm

I can’t even imagine the work (and, money) that goes into a restoration like this. It’s mind-boggling to me, and I’m so glad that owners are willing to spend the money and that there are folks that can do this sort of unbelievably detailed work to bring something back from the condition that it was in. This will be exciting to see in the magazine; I wish that I could see it in person at Pebble Beach.
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Richard Lentinello says:
August 8, 2014 at 5:00 pm

After this Chrysler comes back from Pebble Beach we will be photographing it for a future feature in Hemmings Classic Car magazine. The car owner is currently scouting sites in Brooklyn and Queens so we can show the Chrysler building in the background. The feature on it is going be quite in-depth, with all the details about the car’s history and its restoration. Historically significant automobiles such as this don’t come along very often.
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Christopher says:
August 8, 2014 at 6:59 pm

Super! Great to see this classic car by a true automotive pioneer being resuscitated after so much neglect.
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MOTOR HISTORIAN says:
August 9, 2014 at 5:11 am

Saw a strange ’39? Dodge convertible hearse built on the same lines as this car.
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Howard Kroplick says:
August 9, 2014 at 5:41 pm

Thanks Richard for the fun article and everyone for the positive comments!

CC (Chrysler’s Chrysler) is currently on the truck and headed to Pebble Beach!
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  Toivo K says:
  August 11, 2014 at 12:04 pm

  Whew! I was wondering if the car in the pix was going to be on the lawn as a work in progress! I’ll look for it Sunday!
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Ken Wiebke says:
August 11, 2014 at 10:12 am

Have been following this car restoration on http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com.

Mr. Kroplick is a a very solid citizen in LI car hobby circles and here’s wishing him all good luck with this fabulous project at Pebble Beach and beyond.
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michael Williams says:
August 11, 2014 at 10:48 am

Incredibly detailed restoration of an incredibly disgusting display of ostentatious wealth. This is the sort of vehicles that would have enraged someone down and out in the 1930′s, as it floated by.

You have lost your job ,your being evicted from your home and Walter P Chrysler drives by in a 30′s version of a pimpmobile, I love Chrysler products but I have to wonder about persons logic who would ride in something like this in those terrible financial times. nothing has changed.
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  Paul T Cheshire says:
  August 11, 2014 at 10:59 am

  I’ve been following the restoration, it is a master piece.
  Ostentatious wealth building this helped quite a few families with food and shelter. P T Cheshire
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  THGDriver says:
  August 11, 2014 at 1:29 pm

  Walter Chrysler was an extremely wealthy man who created work for others. He was a self made millionaire if not Billionaire who inspired many in America to do the same. If some spend every dime they make then those same folks did not save a dime for that RAINY DAY. That is still very true today.

  All my life I never owned my own business I always worked for others. I knew as long as I worked to keep them in business I was in business too.

  I personally never worked for somebody that was poor, I don’t know anyone who ever did.
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  Walt Gosden says:
  August 11, 2014 at 7:36 pm

  The wealthy stopped ordering and buying custom built cars in the Depression years, that’s why most all of the custom body builders closed shop. With them closing up their business many craftsman lost their jobs, other businesses that were suppliers to the coachbuilders also closed up , and their employees went jobless. At one point a few years prior to the depression the Willoughby Body Company of Utica, N.Y. employed 300 people. So yes those beautifully crafted and designed custom built cars did display ostentatious wealth, but at the same time also supported an industry that employed a lot of people.
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Jim Benjaminson says:
August 11, 2014 at 11:26 am

I wonder how much use Della Chrysler – or even Walter P. – made of the car. Della died in 1938 and Walter in 1940. Wasn’t the car used more by their daughter Thelma?
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  Walt Gosden says:
  August 11, 2014 at 7:51 pm

  The car was given to Bernice Chrysler Garbisch after her mother’s death and used by her and her husband. The car remained mostly in Manhattan for use to attend the theater and social events . With such a formal body style the car didn’t receive much use for other activities. The initials BCG were affixed to the rear doors after Bernice got the car. All total the car was only driven a little over 25,000 miles to date. As Richard mentioned the car will receive in depth coverage of its history in a future issue of Hemmings Classic Car.
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  Howard Kroplick says:
  August 11, 2014 at 10:14 pm

  Jim, the car was delivered to Walter P. & Della Chrysler in September 1937. It was likely the last automobile that they purchased.

  Eight months after delivery on May 26, 1938, Walter had his first stroke. While he was recuperating, Della suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on August 19, 1938 and died that night.

  On August 15, 1940, Walter suffered a second stroke and died three days later.

  The car was inherited by their daughter Bernice Garbisch Chrysler. Her initials (BGC) remain on both sides of the car.
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Andrew Franks says:
August 11, 2014 at 11:46 am

Richard, I’ll look forward to the feature in the magazine, which , by the way, is simply excellent and had provided many hours of enjoyment and knowledge for all us car nuts.
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Patrick (pjmk65) says:
August 11, 2014 at 1:21 pm

WHAT NO HEMI? Just kidding…
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Barry Thomas says:
August 11, 2014 at 1:51 pm

Ah, the good old days when the car companies made custom cars for some of their execs. Wonder what Mary Barra drives. My guess? An off the showroom floor CTS or Escalade with not even a custom color. Any thoughts?
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  Kurt Ernst says:
  August 11, 2014 at 2:06 pm

  Barry, I once had the opportunity to ask Ford’s VP of design, J Mays, what car he drove. Expecting a reply like “an Aston Martin DB9,” or at the very least “a Taurus SHO,” I was astonished to learn his daily driver at the time (2011) was a Ford Focus ST.
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      Barry Thomas says:
      August 11, 2014 at 2:12 pm

      Neat little car, but disappointing to hear nonetheless. What happened to those custom Vettes or Mitchell’s Riv or Edsel Ford’s Continental? I guess that the shareholders are watching how their money is being spent.
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THGDriver says:
August 11, 2014 at 4:19 pm

I think the car is fabulous and it probably was his dime that built it. It was his own dime that built the Chrysler Building that he personally owned. If I had the bucks and lived back then would I be driven around in this? The answer is No.

I would prefer a nice expensive custom built PACKARD but I’m not related to Walter Chrysler either.
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  jug says:
  August 11, 2014 at 9:42 pm

  His dime?
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      THGDriver says:
      August 12, 2014 at 12:14 pm

      My reference to his dime means —His own personal money as opposed to corporate money—-when you use your own funds to build/buy something, in your will (for instance) you own it personally and can decide who, what ,when, inherits it.

      On the other hand if you use your corporation funds to buy/build something the corporation owns it and after you die or lose control of a corporation the corporation own that property. You don’t have to be a lawyer to figure that out It’s why folks incorporate in the first place. I hope this clears what I was trying to project in my post.
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Patrick (pjmk65) says:
August 12, 2014 at 1:11 pm

The true town car was an opulent luxury that really does not anymore.

I am impressed with the styling and how well the town car style fits with the late thirties chassis.

There are very few cars built after the mid-thirties that I feel would look right as a town car.
- See more at: http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2014/08/08/restoration-of-walter-p-chryslers-imperial-town-car-nears-completion/#comments

From Hemmings Classic Car Announces Plans to Feature Chrysler's Chrysler

A correction to my earlier post about Lindbergh’s presence in the photo of Curtiss and Roosevelt Fields: the hangers at the top of the photo run along Old Country Road, not Hempstead Turnpike.
My apologies.

From Mystery Friday Photo #2 Solved: Clinton Road, Curtiss Field and the Curtiss Engineering Corporation

I am a late-comer to this website and so too, is my comment about the photo looking north on Clinton Avenue, with the Curtiss Aircraft manufacturing plant the most prominent feature in the picture.  There is a more significant feature to this photo, however.  Hard to see in the distance, beyond the bridge and just to the east of Clinton Avenue, is a group of single-story buildings that includes the wooden hanger where Lindbergh parked his plane, the Spirit of St. Louis, the night before he took off for his historic non-stop flight to Paris in May, 1927.  That hanger, essentially at the southeast corner of Clinton Avenue and Hempstead Turnpike, was actually part of Curtiss Field.  Curtiss was directly west and adjacent to Roosevelt Field, whose boundary is delineated in the photo by the row of larger, concrete hangers running along the Turnpike at the top of the photo.  On the day Lindbergh took off his plane was towed the short distance to Roosevelt Field.  His departure was from west to east (left to right) in the photo.  I grew up in Garden City and always wondered where exactly Lindbergh took off. To this day I don’t understand why the spot is not recognized with a historic marker.

From Mystery Friday Photo #2 Solved: Clinton Road, Curtiss Field and the Curtiss Engineering Corporation

stumped again !!!  good one, mike

From Mystery Foto #80 Solved: The East Embankment of the Wantagh Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge in the 1950s

I was a confused with this one, because of the power lines and that hill, to many possible answers, so I didn’t bother with it, it wouldn’t have been a definite answer, so I’ll wait and see what it is

From Mystery Foto #80 Solved: The East Embankment of the Wantagh Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge in the 1950s

This looks to be the old Motor Pkwy overpass that was at the back of the National Cemetery near Colonial Spings Road between Little E. Neck and Pinelawn Road.  I am going to say the time was around 1945-50.

From Mystery Foto #80 Solved: The East Embankment of the Wantagh Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge in the 1950s

On Wantagh Ave. Levittown. NY Before the Nassau County Police Department and the Levittown Fire Dept.  was built and the Island Trees water tower is being built.

From Mystery Foto #80 Solved: The East Embankment of the Wantagh Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge in the 1950s

Good stumper photo. Many possibilities here. Guessing, I’d say were in the Massapequa corridor looking E at the future site of the Nassau County Eighth Police Precinct. If so, that is a hilly abutment remnant of the LIMP N Wantagh Ave Pkwy Bridge. LIPA towers to the right/South, LIMP ROW to the left/North. You got me again, too many possibilities.

From Mystery Foto #80 Solved: The East Embankment of the Wantagh Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge in the 1950s

Wow, this is great! Nice job on the Tea Room Howard. And thank you much Colleen for those priceless photos, and to the current owner of the Halfway House! This all truly educates and help clarify the history of the Long Island Motor Parkway!

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Then & Now- The First Parkway Fast Food Restaurant

Howard- It was good seeing you for this good cause. Now to just to hope the plans work out for this project. I failed to mention to you to have a safe and enjoyable trip to Pebble Beach. That old but bran new car has to win something in it’s class, it just has to, it’s so magnificently beautiful and I didn’t even see it yet

From Hear the Black Beast Roar this Sunday at the Motor Parkway East Walk/Ride in Queens

-Identify the Motor Parkway location of this photo.
Site of the Wantagh Ave. Bridge, looking east towards Hicksville Road.  Across from today’s Universe Drive. 

-Describe all the features in the photo.
The eastern abutment of the Wantagh Ave. Bridge; Motor Parkway roadway; Massapequa Motor Parkway Lodge in the distance; LILCO Power Grid on the right in the background.

-What is the approximate year of the photo? Why?
Late 1950s, no later than April 1959 when the NCPD 8th Precinct was erected on the site. 

-What is currently in this location?
NCPD 8th Precinct, also nearby to the south is the Levittown FD #3 station house (built in 1960) and the Island Trees Water Tower. 

From Mystery Foto #80 Solved: The East Embankment of the Wantagh Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge in the 1950s

This one’s too easy; it’s quite obviously a flying saucer hovering over broken end of paving on the east embankment at Newbridge Road or Jerusalem Avenue or thereabouts ca. 1980!  I have/had a close-up of that exact spot somewhere on my site.  No, I did NOT leave my wheel there.  That might even now be the location of Ron Ridolph’s old 8th Precinct house at North Wantagh Avenue.  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #80 Solved: The East Embankment of the Wantagh Avenue Motor Parkway Bridge in the 1950s

Just a reminder that Socony was the Standard Oil Co. of NY, which became Socony-Vacuum, then Socony-Mobil, and then just Mobil.  The original Standard Oil Co. of NJ became Esso (“S” “O”), then merged with Humble to become Exxon.  In 1999, Exxon and Mobil came back together as Exxon-Mobil.  O. K., Joe; whaddya know?  Come clean soon, please.  Sam, III

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Then & Now- The First Parkway Fast Food Restaurant

Great photo of the Tea Room. I imagine local residents could’ve took a little walk down to have a bite here, not just parkway travelers.

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Then & Now- The First Parkway Fast Food Restaurant