Vanderbilt Cup Races

Well, for a starter, it must have been in the 60s because I’m pretty sure that’s a 1968 Pontiac, by the looks of the front grill and headlights. It also looks like that bridge is being built along with the on off ramps. Haven’t decided on the location yet, darn it. no street signs that I can see. Be back tonight

From Mystery Foto #65 Solved:The "Robert Moses" Eastern Motor Parkway Bridge Over Northern State Parkway

Thanks Howard. I’ll go anyway and if I’m turned away, I’m only 5 minutes from home See ya Saturday then

From Ford Mustang Returns to New York to Celebrate 50 Years

Here I am again. Would you believe that I never went to Bridgehampton Raceway, what a fool I was, after seeing that film, did I miss a lot or what? what a race track that was

From Film "1957 Bridgehampton Race Circuit Inauguration"

That was quick. See ya in Farmingdale.
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From Howard Kroplick

Ted,  this meeting is likely open only to members of Long Island Shields.

From Ford Mustang Returns to New York to Celebrate 50 Years

Might that be you, with your right arm up?, behind what I think is your car, all the way in the back. I had a 1966, small engine, good enough for a first car, to get back and forth to school and work, white with red upholstery and pin stripe also spinner type hubcaps and tires with raised white lettering, just to be a little sporty
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From Howard Kroplick

Ted, that me!

From Ford Mustang Returns to New York to Celebrate 50 Years

Have you considered adding a jack to the radio to play your I pod through it?

From Chrysler’s Chrysler Chronicle IX: Putting It Back Together

Which ones should I go to? I know I’ll be going on Saturday and Sunday, wouldn’t miss that for anything, Now I think I want to go to the one in Farmingdale, because I’ve never been there before, it’ll be someplace different to see anyway. I’ve been to the Bethpage and Great Neck Library. East Hills would be someplace different too. See ya Saturday, maybe sooner, who knows?

From Upcoming Howard Kroplick & Chrysler's Chrysler Events

It’s amazing to see such a large crowd at that time.  Cars were the latest thing!

From Video: "The Hairpin Turn of the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race"

It is our famous Locomobile #16 and it may be at the re-enactment of the race in 1954 starting point Hitchcock Lane Westbury, just north of Jericho Turnpike.

From Mystery Foto #64 Solved:George Robertson & Glenn Ethridge at the 50th Anniversary of the 1904 Race

We see of course the 1908 Locomobile VC winner. Behind the wheel George Robertson, beside him Glenn Ethridge, his former mechanician. The event is the 50th Anniversary of the first Vanderbilt Cup race, the date October 9, 1954. Glenn Ethridge would die a few months hereafter, so this is the last time the complete racing team was together.

From Mystery Foto #64 Solved:George Robertson & Glenn Ethridge at the 50th Anniversary of the 1904 Race

Howard..You have done a truly fabulous job of preserving the history of this famous and very much loved road.  I rode my bicycle on it from west of Lakeville Road to the underpass at Jericho turnpike east of Mineola.  The long, banked curve in Queens where Glen Oaks apartments now sits was a favorite place for my lunch.  The bridge near New Hyde Park Rd.  over the Northern State Pkwy. was still intact until the parkway was widened in the 50s.  I WISH I had taken pictures…but at age 13…history didn’t mean much.  I have an extensive collection of postcard photos…and I do not know where it was.  One card depicts the bridge, but it is obviously not the correct one.  What did the bridge go over?
Thank you SO much for all you do!  I’d like to share he photos I have with you….possibly some you haven’t seen…but I doubt this.Best to you…

From Then & Now: Deadman's Curve in Bethpage (1908-2014) Updated: April 8, 2014

Howard

So surprised to see the work in progress on that historical Chrysler. It was nessersary for that work to be performed. Not many automobiles get a chance to shine as it did for their original owners. I’m glad that you had rescued this magnificent Chrysler, and once again be apart of living history..

From Chrysler’s Chrysler Chronicle IX: Putting It Back Together

But the passenger also resembles the smaller build Glenn Ethridge (Mechanician). Not sure.

From Mystery Foto #64 Solved:George Robertson & Glenn Ethridge at the 50th Anniversary of the 1904 Race

Tough mystery but here’s my go at it. Possibly a photo of a legendary driver (and wife), reunited with his legendary racer. Mr. and Mrs. George Robertson appears at a car show on an unknown date.The driver sort of resembles an older Robertson (first time American winner in an American racer at the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race). This Old 16 racer? has wheel fenders where the VCR racer didn’t. Possibly installed later on. Sad ending to Robertson’s racing career in 1910. Where after being warned by his wife not to attend the race trials on that Friday the 13th because of a bad feeling, Robertson was attacked by a terrified news reporter doubling as a mechanician, causing Robertson to roll the racer over himself at the Massapequa turn resulting in permanent injuries to a broken arm.

From Mystery Foto #64 Solved:George Robertson & Glenn Ethridge at the 50th Anniversary of the 1904 Race

From Jan Hyde:

Caught all this at NYIAS Press bkfst on Weds.  Nice tribute in Flushing Meadow.  Must have been fun.

From Ford Mustang Returns to New York to Celebrate 50 Years

Nice ‘stangs. I hear they’re building them up to 1000hp nowadays. Also the left archway in the top photo of the ‘64 World’s Fair was moved after the fair and is now located in a Garden City South strip mall on Hemp Tpke and Cherry Valley Ave.

From Ford Mustang Returns to New York to Celebrate 50 Years

From Dr. Marilyn Kroplick:

Hi Howie,

I remember wearing an exotic Sari as part of my job, working as a hostess, in the Pakistani Pavilion’s restaurant—and also, I recall working a second job assisting a magician inside the Greek Pavilion—what a wonderful time, at the World’s Fair, it was—in 1963—for me, as a young 18 year old.

From Ford Mustang Returns to New York to Celebrate 50 Years

Looks like Peter Helck’s Locomobile. 

Roger

From Mystery Foto #64 Solved:George Robertson & Glenn Ethridge at the 50th Anniversary of the 1904 Race

Congrats, Howard! Looking forward to seeing the Chrysler up close and personal myself, though not at Pebble. Thank you once again for representing all of us automotive enthusiasts here on Long Island. The episode of “Americarna” was very enjoyable, and my smiling face got three different (brief) looks on the screen as well!

Thanks again, and Happy Holiday! —Ernie Finamore
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From Howard Kroplick

Ernie, thanks so much. You looked great at the beginning of the segment!

From Chrysler's Chrysler's Specifications

That looks like George Robertson and Glenn Ethridge, the winning team sitting in “Old 16”, the 1906 Locomobile they drove to victory in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. The photo was taken on October 9, 1954 at an event organized jointly by the L. I. Old Car Club and the Mineola Fair & Industrial Exposition to commemorate the 50th. anniversary of the first Vanderbilt Cup Race. Sadly, Robertson passed away 9 months later making this the last time he and Etheridge appeared together.

From Mystery Foto #64 Solved:George Robertson & Glenn Ethridge at the 50th Anniversary of the 1904 Race