Vanderbilt Cup Races

My dad was stationed at Camp Upton for awhile before transferring to the 101st.

From Kleiner's Korner: A Father and Son Connection to The Motor Parkway and Camp Upton

Nice work. Great Motor Pkwy discussion thanks to Al, Greg, and Gerry! Much details were revealed in a limited amount of airtime. Hoping to hear more in the future of Motor Parkway’s operations and its influence on early Long Island

From Greg O. and Al Velocci discuss the Long Island Motor Parkway on LI News Radio 103.9 FM

My guess is that it is a circa 1909 Alco with a sporty body. It clearly has the Berliet style wheel hubs (the text unfortunately unreadable), but the radiator filler tube is already American style. The cover in front of the rear wheels is only for the front part of the rear springs, no sign of a chain. The engine seems to a 6 cylinder, judging by the length of the hood. Interesting are the front wings, which remind of the wings used on the 1905 Mercedes racers.
On the basis of my information I do not believe that the car was a former race car, but I cannot exclude that.

From Mystery Friday Foto #4 Solved: A Mystery ALCO Touring Car

Elements of its interior seem quite similar and striking with impact like that of my 62 T Bird but the body seems dated in comparison to the 61 to 63 “banana” bird. Not a bad thing just different and a bit more bulky.
I’d best a best bet for a salvaged discovery is in proximity to the numerous hot Rod and custom shops scattered through Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena. Gram should alert his childhood connections for any info on current whereabouts.

From Update 1/27/26: Eureka- The 1962 Ford Cougar 406 Concept Car has been found!

William K. Vanderbilt in his 1911 Alco six.  It was delivered in raceabout form. After about a year, he had it rebodied to his own design.

From Mystery Friday Foto #4 Solved: A Mystery ALCO Touring Car

1912 Alco custom model 6.
Connection: Modeled by Willie K. Vanderbilt, Jr. after Alco’s raced in the Vanderbilt Cup Races.  Both attached articles are from 1912.

From Mystery Friday Foto #4 Solved: A Mystery ALCO Touring Car

I think that might be a 1910/1911 ALCO Custom “Tourabout” which was built on an ALCO racer chassis. Rumor has it that it was custom ordered by Willie K. and was delivered in 1912.

From Mystery Friday Foto #4 Solved: A Mystery ALCO Touring Car

If you watch the embedded video, there is a few segments from Roosevelt Field, just not the circus event from the mystery photo. Leads me to believe that this was more than just an ‘advertisement’ and they actually had a ‘studio’ within the hangar.

From Mystery Friday Foto #3 Solved: A Busy Curtiss Flying Field

Ernie-
According to a little research by Al Velocci and myself, Fox News was Fox Movietone News who were in their peak filming sporting events in the 20’s and 30’s. Why on the hangar is unclear if it was simply advertising or they had some type of ‘office’ in the hangar.
I did do a search to see if there was any film of this event but there was nothing I found in their archives which is now held at the University of South Carolina.

From Mystery Friday Foto #3 Solved: A Busy Curtiss Flying Field

Frank - I just finished listening to the interview.  I listened by clicking the link provided above on my mac rather than on the radio.

Greg, Al - nice job.

From Greg O. and Al Velocci discuss the Long Island Motor Parkway on LI News Radio 103.9 FM

Was looking forward to hearing Al and Greg tonight but the air wave was hijacked. Howard, please post the recorded interview if possible.
Thanks,
Frank

From Greg O. and Al Velocci discuss the Long Island Motor Parkway on LI News Radio 103.9 FM

Thanks for an opposing viewpoint Al!  All views are accepted, with reasoning behind them.

From Kleiner's Korner: Motor Parkway News of the Final Month of 1925

Art, I disagree that Parkway entrance ramps might have been a good place for a hold up. Thats the only area of the Parkway where there was lighting and motorists could receive help from the nearby lodge keepers who had telephones and were armed. The newspapers stated the robbery took place off Willis Avenue near the Roslyn Rd. entrance to the Parkway, a well thought out isolated location because there is no access to the Parkway between Willis Ave, and the LIRR and the two 300 foot long ramps. one down from Willis Ave. and the other up over the LIRR blocked a good view of the area.

From Kleiner's Korner: Motor Parkway News of the Final Month of 1925

Go get ‘em Greg and Al - looking forward to listening. 

I’ll power up my Motor Parkway era Zenith radio to listen!  Or will listen in my car if out on the road.  I may even bump into a Radio Central tower somewhere while riding along the Parkway.

From Greg O. and Al Velocci discuss the Long Island Motor Parkway on LI News Radio 103.9 FM

Roosevelt Air Field in Garden City/Westbury looking NE. The famous hangar #16 in the top left corner gave the mystery away. #16 housed Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St Louis plane before his historic departure towards Paris in 1927. Old Country Road is hidden behind the hangars, Clinton Rd is off frame to the left. Possibly a dedication for WWI flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker in early ‘30’s

From Mystery Friday Foto #3 Solved: A Busy Curtiss Flying Field

Thank you Frank and Lou!  Makes sense, Frank, about why the entrance ramps might have been a good spot for a hold-up. 

I’m always amazed at where the Motor Parkway pops up in news articles, trade journals (i.e., construction, engineering etc.), novels, etc.  Makes doing the research enjoyable as always new to find out.  Glad you both like what I present.

From Kleiner's Korner: Motor Parkway News of the Final Month of 1925

Always so interesting. Thanks for taking the enormous amount of your time to assemble these articles.

From Kleiner's Korner: Motor Parkway News of the Final Month of 1925

Curtiss Flying Field in Garden City, NY. Later renamed Roosevelt Field.

From Mystery Friday Foto #3 Solved: A Busy Curtiss Flying Field

Great news articles, Art, of Motor Parkway activities 100 years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed them. Regarding the thieves stealing $400 ($7,600 today), it seems the bandits then were focusing on Motor Pkwy entrance ramps, targeting wealthy travellers, while committing their crimes on local streets that provided more escape routes. It’s just a thought. Keep it going, Art!

From Kleiner's Korner: Motor Parkway News of the Final Month of 1925

I think this might be opening day at Curtiss Flying Field on May 15, 1921. The plane could be a Curtiss JN-4. As for the cars, I’m sure there are a few Ford Model T’s.

From Mystery Friday Foto #3 Solved: A Busy Curtiss Flying Field