Vanderbilt Cup Races

Ivan: Thanks so much for the information!

Howard

From A Tampa Bay Automobile Museum Challenge: Help Identify This Front Wheel Drive Racer

I have been following this blog since last summer, when I wondered about the first parkway was built in America. The first images I found were the bridges over 73rd St and Old Court House Rd. I was reminded of some ancient ruins and the more I explored on the net, the more fascinated I became. This is the best site. I use Google Maps many times. The old photos make it seem I am looking into another world. I have even read portions of the “Auction Block” by Rex Beach on line and have numerous bookmarks of the LIMP. Excellent dedication to something this historic.

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series: #10 Commonwealth Boulevard Bridge in Queens

Hi Howard,
I think I can shed some light on Mitch Kaften"s question regarding the sign on the right side of Little Neck Parkway. It is a street sign and in all likelihood says Shiloh Av. Prior to the building of Glen Oaks Village the area was laid out in a regular grid pattern and Shiloh Av., which is on the west side of Little Neck Parkway, was to run all the way to the Nassau County Line. The buildings abutting the Motor Parkway on the east side of Little Neck Parkway front on what was to be Elkmont Av., which still exists on the west side of Little Neck Parkway. Look at maps of that part of Queens published before the late 1940’s to get a better understanding of what the area looked like prior to the building of Glen Oaks Village             Al Velocci

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series: #11 Little Neck Road Motor Parkway Bridge in Queens

Louis Chevrolet built a front wheel drive Ford for the 1926 racing season but that car was powered by a supercharged sleeved down Model T engine with a Frontenac DO cylinder head and from all reports it retained the Model T frame. It was entered in the Indy 500 that year by the Hamlin-Holmes Motor Co. of Chicago IL. Jack McCarver qaulified on the 9th row but lost a connecting rod on the 22nd lap and retired. Some time during the year the car was crashed at a race in Detroit so i wonder if it was ‘re-chassied’ after this. It continued to be raced, albeit unsuccessfully,  and was still running in 1932 but by then it was called the Ray Day Piston Special. As far as i know, Hamlin-Holmes only built two cars. A touring model in 1919 that looked very much like a Model T Ford and in 1930, possibly the company’s last year of existence, a front weel drive 4 door sedan was built.

From A Tampa Bay Automobile Museum Challenge: Help Identify This Front Wheel Drive Racer

This is an incredible road! How they raced it with cars from the era is amazing! I would love to try a run on any part of it!

From CSI Report:Montague Roberts and Robert Jardine in the 1905 American Elimination Trial

Denis:

Just saw your comment.

The Christie ran as #17 in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race:
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/thursday_december_31_2009_the_17_cars_of_the_1906_vanderbilt_cup_race1

More information on the Christie:

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/thursday_november_12_2009_the_christie_fron-wheel_drive_racer_in_the_1905_r

Howard

From Was the "Man in the Leopard Coat" the Inspiration for Jay Gatsby?

Hi Chad:

Welcome to VanderbiltCupRaces.com!

According to the World Almanac, on October 10, 1894, “a severe storm played havoc with yachts. Dilemma, the first fin keel craft owned by Lathm A. Fish, was totally wrecked. Amazon, Blond and brunette, Hoodoo, Banshee, naphtha launch Florence and Phoebe were wrecked at New Rochelle and Larchmont.”

Here is a link to a photo of Viator:
http://www.encore-editions.com/viator—3

Howard

From Was the "Man in the Leopard Coat" the Inspiration for Jay Gatsby?

Just discovered recently, after my mother passed away, a large two-handle silver cup with the engraving “Compliments of Capt. W. Gould Brokaw to Captain Stephen W. Roach For Saving Schooner Viator And Crew On October 10, 1894”.  My mother was part of the Roach family…early ship-building magnates in the U.S.

From Was the "Man in the Leopard Coat" the Inspiration for Jay Gatsby?

Hi Mitch:
It is likely just a photo effect. The caption on the photo reads “Little Neck Parkway N. at Union Turnpike”.

I tried to enlarge the sign to read the copy…without success.

Howard

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series: #11 Little Neck Road Motor Parkway Bridge in Queens

Hi Bob:

For the 1905 Vanderbilt Course, the “S Turn” was I.U. Willets Road in Albertson. I will feature it in a future post on VanderbiltCupRaces.com.

The closest shape to a sharp “S Turn” on the Motor Parkway was the second Deaman’s Curve in Bethpage:

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/friday_december_18_2010

Howard

From CSI Report:Montague Roberts and Robert Jardine in the 1905 American Elimination Trial

Great Day!!!!  Cool But Fun!!!!  Howard, thanks for promoting the past with all you do.  We antique car owners appreciate your hard work. Wayne Duprez

From Highlights from the First Annual Motor Parkway Parade

Can anyone remember where the “S turn” was on the Motor Parkway.  I remember an “S turn” about a mile from the Rosevale Avenue in Lake Ronkonkoma end of the Parkway. Could this be one of those turns mentioned that needed a flag man?

From CSI Report:Montague Roberts and Robert Jardine in the 1905 American Elimination Trial

Thanks Howard. The picture at the top of the page shows the road having some sharp curves after it passes under the bridge. But the 1924 aerial makes it look like the road is very straight. Is it just the odd angle of the photo? Also, is the sign on the right an entrance sign of some kind? The aerial shows what looks to be an entrance road.

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series: #11 Little Neck Road Motor Parkway Bridge in Queens

Ahh wow, there was actually open space/land/farm land in Queens! Once upon a time.
Cool shots

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series: #10 Commonwealth Boulevard Bridge in Queens

Hi Joe:

Old Courthouse Bridge is the only “highway” bridge (Motor Parkway goes under the bridge)that makes sense “near Great Neck”.

Thanks for the comment and feedback!

Howard

From From the Noel Gish Collection: Postcards of the Vanderbilt Cup Races & Long Island Motor Parkway

Great Site, glad I came across it.

From Alco Historical & Technical Society Introduces The Alco Memories 2012 Calendar

Dear Howard, I stopped the ROW near the Old Courthouse Rd bridge the other afternoon to compare the landscape.  I do believe the photo can be the same bridge.  I picked out the area where I believe the photographer would have been, and it is now thick brush.  But it was a bit disheartening.  I first found that part of the parkway when I was about 14 years old.  It was this beautiful remnant, where you could clearly see the parkway and it’s cement extensions (what I called the sidewalks) running up and over hills.  The LIPA trucks have left huge tire tracks of mud.  There was even a truck up there as I was walking around. 
I could never tell you enough how much I love your website.  Thanks for sharing so much.
-joe

From From the Noel Gish Collection: Postcards of the Vanderbilt Cup Races & Long Island Motor Parkway

Howard - you have to have an original painting of the Black Beast by famous Sports Artist WK Gilbert

we’ll be doing vintage racing cards and love to include the “Beast”

From Highlights of the J. Parker Wickham Memorial Car Show (2011)

According to the “Images of America” series book of “Floral Park, Nassau County” by Walter E. Gosden, the original Creedmore Spur bridge over Jericho Turnpike was enlarged twice before the final version was removed in 1975. The previous
version was probably removed in 1960-61 time period, when Jericho Turnpike was widened.

From Then & Now: The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course in Floral Park

Howard, Thanks for sharing, we all saw the Ruxton being restored in Parker’s garage when Long Island Mini Enthusiasts stopped in on Spring Fling 2007. I did not know he died in April this year. The elegant Ruxton seems a fitting tribute to the man. Tom

From From the Noel Gish Collection: Postcards of the Vanderbilt Cup Races & Long Island Motor Parkway