Vanderbilt Cup Races

Hi Howard,
i thought that Nassau County & Ed Mangano were going to try an use that piece of land as part of the Nassau County Trail that they were proposing to make? I agree it would make a great park/hiking or walking & biking trail. Why don’t they use it for that purpose like they talked about doing some time ago. I hope that they do not build any homes on it lets keep it as open space and preserve it for futur generations to enjoy and maybe even have it noted with a marker where the Motor Parkway Grand Stand was located.

From Developer Makes His Case for a Multiple-Family Housing Complex on the Historic Motor Parkway

From Tom R:

I’m writing due to my continuing interest in the property in Levittown that comprises the former Long Island Motor Parkway.  My interest stems from my having lived adjacent to a portion of that property growing up in Levittown some years ago, and later working with the LPOA on behalf of my mother and father.

The most recent development proposal was from Josato LLC (which I understand to be the successor to Terra Homes).  I believe that the development that is proposed would be profoundly adverse to the interests of all homeowners—not only to those on adjacent properties, but to all Levittown residents, due to the evisceration of the local zoning law (the Levittown Planned Residence District, or “LPRD”) that would be necessary for the development proposal to proceed. 

A development of the type contemplated would require the Planning Commission and other bodies to nullify the LPRD provisions that are intended to (1) provide for health, safety and welfare of residents from risks resulting from increased traffic, as well as inability of fire, sanitation and other services to access properties; (2) ensure the stability of the character of the Levittown neighborhood in its original design as a location for single-family homes; (3) in general, avoid the piecemeal intrusion of non-conforming development in what is a holistically designed—i.e., planned—community.

The deleterious effects on homeowners could be avoided by the use of the LI Motor Parkway land as a park, or even through residential development that is in compliance with LPRD requirements.  I believe that such a conforming use would also honor the spirit in which the LI Motor Parkway was built and used—for the benefit and enjoyment of many, not a handful of developers.

You should note that there is a significant back-history to the sale of this property to Terra Homes in the early 1980s.  If memory serves, the Crocus Lane parcel was acquired by Terra from Nassau County at a knock-down price in the neighborhood of $50,000—the low price being attributable to the limited development that is permitted under the LPRD.  Given the low price paid for the land (which can be verified through County records), any claim that variances are necessary to develop the property profitably should be regarded as nothing more than a falsehood.

Nonetheless, I hope that you and those in attendance will gave a fair but skeptical hearing to all points of view, but bearing in mind that Levittown was created as a special community—for the benefit of those who fought for this country and were lucky enough to return to these shores—and the safety and welfare of residents must always override the private enrichment of a few.

Thank you.

From Developer Makes His Case for a Multiple-Family Housing Complex on the Historic Motor Parkway

Thanks for attending the meeting Howard.  Your historical perspective always provides another view.

From Developer Makes His Case for a Multiple-Family Housing Complex on the Historic Motor Parkway

The ROW south of Westbury Ave.  has been cleared by the Mineola Sanitation Department.

From The Motor Parkway North of Westbury Avenue on the Carle Place/Mineola Border

From Bernie Beck:
“At great day at the races!!  Congratulations, Howie! “

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day

Howard !!!!! did you realize that other cars were passing you?? you have a reputation to consider!! You may need a faster auto for next years spin around the track!!! do you have anything in mind???? Really—-what a great piece of video—thanks for sharing and I also enjoyed the other video clip of the Chyrsler—-start up and rumble for a moment. Keep up the great work—-the automotive Gods applaud you-Bravo

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day

Howard - This was absolutely thrilling to watch. I can’t imagine how exciting it must have been to actually do it. Thanks for giving us all a chance to sample the experience.

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day

From David L:

“This was an absolutely amazing 7 minute video of the Alco at the Indy 500.  Your driving while being passed by the other race cars was so cool.  Thanks for sharing.”

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day

From Christopher Dyson:
“Honestly the coolest thing I saw all during the race weekend. Hearing those classics roar back to life and watching them do laps felt almost like being in a dream.”

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day

From Mark Dill (Vice-President of Marketing Indianapolis Motor Speedway)-Facebook
“If you missed Legend’s Day May 26 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway…well, you screwed up. One of the coolest features were the 33 vintage Indy 500 race cars that took to the track at 10 am. Howard Kroplick, owner of one of the racers in the first Indy 500 captured it all from his POV driving around the track.”
http://firstsuperspeedway.com/blog/1911-competitor-returns-brickyard

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day

There are some cars that should not be restored.  One that shows a history of what its done and where its been, probably should not be restored.  But this is a highly elegant car that is meant to be pristine.  Mind you, a full restoration may not be the issue; the paint has peeled off of the aluminum.  A proper stripping of the body and repainting and attending to external cosmetics might be enough.  That and a suggested full rebuild (not cosmetic) of the drive train for safety and reliability.

From MotorAuthority.com: Chrysler Barn Find Fuels The 'Restore Or Preserve' Debate

Howard, What a thrill that must have been. Having my brief ride last month and knowing the sensations at “low speeds” I can’t imagine what it must have been like at 70 mph, the steering wheel appeared to have a great deal of vibration. Many thanks for sharing this.

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day

Thanks for sharing, nice job.  if I recall correctly you’ve exceeded the speed that Emerson Fitapaldi acheived with the Black Beast at Indy last year-Congratulations!  Looks like the she had quite a bit more in her.

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day

We’ve now watched this numerous time…another hundred or so and we’ll have you down on record as having driven a full 500! The Beast is amazing here but it must be said too that YOU did a great stint Howard. It is no mean feat to run this legend in the ranks of other Indy legends with all of them reverently striding off the race line to honor your feat. BRAVO!

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day

I tend to come down on the side of those who believe it should be restored.  It’s present condition is due to neglect and not the effects of a rich, real life history, e.g. dings, scratches, etc. from racing.  No one in his right mind should be proud of the neglect this beauty was forced to endure!  This car deserves to be afforded its rightful place in history in a condition that shows how it started out and not where it ended up in a warehouse, ignored for many years, giving up its beauty to the ravages of time and its conditions of storage.  Of course, assuming a restoration takes place, I would hope and am confident that Howard will not lock it away as a museum piece.  This auto needs to be driven on occasion and shared with the automobile loving public.  From how Howard drives and shows The Black Beast, I don’t see any problem for the future of Chrysler’s Chrysler!  Good luck Howard!

From MotorAuthority.com: Chrysler Barn Find Fuels The 'Restore Or Preserve' Debate

Wow, very cool! That must’ve been a ton of fun, plus on top of all of it meeting Mario Andretti!

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day

Because the car is in its current condition due to neglect rather than use, I cast my vote for restoration.

From MotorAuthority.com: Chrysler Barn Find Fuels The 'Restore Or Preserve' Debate

I own a 1914 race car (the Tahis Special) which has never been restored. It was raced from1914 to approx. 1920 and was modified during those years by the owner/builder to make it more competitive. It is preserved in it’s last racing configuration. It bears the scars of it’s racing history at venues such as the U.S. Grand Prix, Vanderbilt Cup, Corona, Elgin and Ascot. It has been maintained as a racing car should and has participated in many current Vintage races. I will not be the person to remove this history (patina?) through “restoration” and most informed observers agree.
In the case of this Chrysler, I would agree that it should be restored to it’s former state because the “patina” is the result of neglect rather than activity by Walter P. himself. It should also be used and displayed in the same manner as Howard does with his Alco racer.
I used to work in the auto restoration business and saw many examples of “over restoration”. There seems to be a tendency to “gild the lily” on the part of some current owners and turn the cars into jewelery that they never were. Hopefully that can be avoided with Chrysler’s Chrysler. Then it will be a true representative of it’s former glory.

From MotorAuthority.com: Chrysler Barn Find Fuels The 'Restore Or Preserve' Debate

Nothing like DRIVING and old car! Static display at car meets etc. is wonderful, but cars were made to be driven, day and night. If you own an old car and don’t use it , except to go to and come from a show , then you are missing 90% of the fun.
Going that speed in a pre WWI motor car is an experience few have had the pleasure of doing. Austin Clark took me for a 80+ mph down North Sea Road in Southampton heading south towards his museum 40 years ago in his type 35 Mercer raceabout.  You are sitting on a bucket seat on a frame , no doors or windshield, only about 15 inches off the ground in a car with 4 inch wide tires and two wheel brakes - PRICELESS!

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day

Wow.  Thanks for sharing.  I’m sure you had a blast!!

From Video:The Alco Black Beast at the 2012 Indy 500 Legends Day