Vanderbilt Cup Races

Howard, your weekly stories and reports are terrific, very interesting as well as informative…. 10-4

From The Island Now Article: "From vintage racing to town historian"

Nice writeup.  I would like to express my pleasure at someone like you coming along who is willing to put in the time and effort to preserve some of Long Island’s history.

From The Island Now Article: "From vintage racing to town historian"

I wonder if Peggy Hones Morisen - or any others out there - knew my stepfather
J. Bruce Stevenson?  He was a racer, MG Car Club member and active in the road races.

From SouthamptonPatch: "Fate of Former Long Island Auto Museum? [Empty in Southampton]"

Just came across this old entry from Feb this year while doing a Google search on other unrelated Roosevelt Raceway articles. As I discovered on another page, the ‘U’ shaped building is indeed an early paddock for the harness track. Here is a link for the page that describes the area in the 50’s.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roosevelt_raceway/3183009265/

From Aerial Views of Roosevelt Raceway After 1937

I think that it should be made into a car museum againjust like it was before. If the building can’t be fixed then take it down and build a new one for the Auto Museum again on that site. I think it would be a great place to visit,andtake families to it to see all the old cars people colect and to learn about them and their history. The car museum could also host car shows even whre people who own thee fine old cars could come and meet and show of the oldcars they own to others.

From SouthamptonPatch: "Fate of Former Long Island Auto Museum? [Empty in Southampton]"

It is a shame that a venue like that falls by the wayside. The problem on LI is the exhorbitant property taxes that make so many ventures unprofitable.

As the creator and manager of the website Long Island Classic Cars.com, and, as an avid car enthusiast and collector, I can certainly attest to the strong involvement and appreciation of classic cars by the populace of LI.

There are literally tens of thousands of car-people and specialty vehicles on LI. The car shows, cruise nights and other events are packed every weeknight and weekend from April to October! “If you build it, they will come.” Would certainly apply.

I do not live near Southampton, about an hour and a half away with no traffic, so for me, to resurrect that site would not be an option. However, I have long dreamed of creating a multi-faceted institution that incorporates a showroom, sales facililty, restoration shop, education center, museum, car club gathering place, retail memorabilia shop, cafe, and a spot where the general public loves to come!

In PA, or any other state with open land, this is something that can be accomplished (and is) with a good chance of success. But how can we do it here on LI with property and business taxes that are so high that anyone thinking about undertaking such a venture would back off before even starting?

The starting capital and monthly sales volume to just cover the taxes would be daunting. Suggestions anyone?

Thank you for reading my opinion, and you can subscribe for FREE to our Newsletter.

Pete
http://www.liclassiccars.com

From SouthamptonPatch: "Fate of Former Long Island Auto Museum? [Empty in Southampton]"

From John Bayer:

My two cents for the former Auto Museum: See James and Phil’s comments. 
Connect with local chapters of car clubs.  A youth program, like the Model “A” chapters around the country do would be vital, as well as a restorations school on a smaller scale, like WyoTech or McPherson College in KS…Jay Leno sponsors that one, so maybe some NY celebs?  Seinfeld?  I’m not a local so don’t know all the background, but this could work…best of luck!

Regards,
John

From SouthamptonPatch: "Fate of Former Long Island Auto Museum? [Empty in Southampton]"

We’re doing our best in Bridgehampton through the Bridgehampton Historical Society, with an annual rally and show (this year Oct. 6) commemorating racing on the streets, 1915-20, then 1949-53, and Bridgehampton Race Circuit 1956-(1990?) Austin Clark was an original member of the group that built the track, and there’s a BH Racing Heritage group focused on the track’s history that participates.  Everyone welcome, and give a nod to the museum when you drive by.

From SouthamptonPatch: "Fate of Former Long Island Auto Museum? [Empty in Southampton]"

Love the photos you put up Howard ~

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series:#23 Roslyn Road Parkway Bridge in East Williston

The Thomas flyer is now a centerpiece of the Reno auto museum. Saw it there a couple of years ago.

From SouthamptonPatch: "Fate of Former Long Island Auto Museum? [Empty in Southampton]"

I’d like to see a museum, but understand that economics has a big part of it being successful. So maybe a multi-faceted venue might be an idea as someone else has suggested. Such as an auto restoration school, and a burger drive in with cruise & and car events to get the young people involved and away from their video games. Even a few scaled down auctions.
Something other than only the musem to draw people to the location.

From SouthamptonPatch: "Fate of Former Long Island Auto Museum? [Empty in Southampton]"

Every time I drive past the site of Austin Clark’s museum, I get a sad feeling.  I used to love visiting the place in the ‘60s.
It’s amazing that Long Island, with such a rich automotive history, doesn’t have a museum to celebrate that history.
Rog

From SouthamptonPatch: "Fate of Former Long Island Auto Museum? [Empty in Southampton]"

It was Austin’s wish that the decaying museum buildings and grounds would stand as a monument to the maltreatment he received from the town of Southampton.

From SouthamptonPatch: "Fate of Former Long Island Auto Museum? [Empty in Southampton]"

The property still belonged to Austie’s relatives in the 90s. At that time there was an effort to revive the museum and they were willing to affect some form of land trade with the county to accomplish the deal. The buildings were savable at that point . I don’t know if they are still. There was a good bit of effort put forth back then but it needed more backing than I could afford and it died . I do believe there is more interest and ability now in this economy than there was then.

From SouthamptonPatch: "Fate of Former Long Island Auto Museum? [Empty in Southampton]"

Michael, the Motor Parkway is on top of the bridge.

From First 2012 "Clean Up the Old Bethpage Motor Parkway Bridge" Day To Be Held on Saturday

On thhis particular bridge did the parkway travel above or underneath the bridge ?

From First 2012 "Clean Up the Old Bethpage Motor Parkway Bridge" Day To Be Held on Saturday

Michael:

Thanks for the questions.

The Motor Parkway ran on top of this bridge.

I will feature information on the Roosevelt Field Motor Parkway bridge in a future post.

From Video "The Restoration of the Old Bethpage Motor Parkway Bridge"

Good post! This is the kind of information that should be distributed on the online community. I would like to read more of this.

From Fresh Meadows Motor Parkway Blueprint: #1 The Western Terminus and North Hempstead Turnpike Bridge

Hi Howard. Another question but not about the Old Bethpage Bridge but about the page (i cannot leave a comment on) that contains the R34 Dirigible viewed from the Zeckendorf Bridge at Roosevelt Field. My question is, which Zeckendorf Bridge ? The one leading to the mall did not intersect with the Motor Parkway. Was this bridge the Endo Blvd Bridge leading up to the old race track (and eventually Zeckendorf) ?  And what part of the field did the blimp land at - the racetrack or the mall ? I’m puzzled on this. Thanks, Mike L

From Video "The Restoration of the Old Bethpage Motor Parkway Bridge"

Hi Howard. Love all this research and restoration. Question - did the parkway run underneath the bridge or over it at this site ?  Thanks, Mike

From Video "The Restoration of the Old Bethpage Motor Parkway Bridge"