About
The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day, and the first international automobile road races held in the United States. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways. This site provides comprehensive information on the races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and current Long Island automotive events, car shows and news.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
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Recent Comments
misprint not miss print!
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Unpublished Long Island Automotive Museum Photos from 1958 to 1962 Part 4
Another interesting article, thank you Gram. The Mercer was always a favorite place to stand when I was able to visit the museum. I am attaching a picture of a postcard for a 1908 Renault Victoria Runabout. Not sure about the one year discrepancy, 1908 vs. 1909, maybe new information came to light or maybe just a miss print.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Unpublished Long Island Automotive Museum Photos from 1958 to 1962 Part 4
Central Ave. Bridge. Motor Parkway. Central Park N Y.
About. 1908
From Mystery Friday Foto #9 Solved; The Central Ave Bridge Being Built
I got my first ride in a pre 1915 car in that Mercer type 35 with Austin Clark at the wheel. We went up North Sea Rd. just west of the museum and then came back down, Were caught by the police on a radar gun as well. Eddie Aldrich of Southampton used to keep the fleet of early cars ready for use by Austin , his son Lance was a great guy too. Actor Gary Cooper was a great friend of Austin and also a lover of cars - he and Austin used to drive about Southampton in the cars Austin had. Cooper’s wife came from an area north of the museum and that is where they lived i Cooper’s final years, he is buried in the cemetery just east of the museum.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Unpublished Long Island Automotive Museum Photos from 1958 to 1962 Part 4
About 30+ years ago The Long Island Early Fliers Club hung a restored Curtiss Jenny JN4 bi plane from the ceiling at the mall in the NE corner . We did this by bringing the plane into the building in sections ( wings, fuselage ) . and then hoisting the reassembled plane up in place. It remained there for a month or more. It was the first plane that Charles Lindbergh flew and George Dade of Glen Head got the pieces together and a crew to work on it and restore it over a period of years at his house. Fun time many years ago. I did not help restore it but was the first one there after the early morning ( 2 am) effort to hang it and man the display booth and answer questions about the plane. Most asked ” how the heck did you get a airplane inside here overnight” I told a few we used a lot of grease on the wings….........This was done on a clear and very very cold night in February with the wind blowing fairly strong. Lots of teeth chattering . Yes Long Island history meant a lot to me then and still does.
the plane is now in the cradle of aviation museum . Most of the members of the LI Early Fliers Club who restored it are now gone as well. Great guys like Danny Pflug, Andy Yelaney just to name a few.
From Cradle of Aviation Exhibit: Roosevelt Field Aviators at the Mall
Loved seeing how the parkways were built in stages. That change in the SSP around Hempstead Lake was vert interesting. I sent this link to a friend who works for the NYS DOT and he loved it!
From Video of the Week: The Evolution of the Long Island Parkway System
Haha thanks Al, the tire tread definitely says something because it has words written within the tread!
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Unpublished Long Island Automotive Museum Photos from 1958 to 1962 Part 4
Thanks again for another peek into the LIAM. I’m so glad that you are trying to find out what happened to this impressive collection of automobiles. Those tires with the words “non skid” are something I have never seen before. Great article!
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Unpublished Long Island Automotive Museum Photos from 1958 to 1962 Part 4
Gram, As custodian of the picky picky department, I must point out that the the 1911 Mercer tire says non skid.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Unpublished Long Island Automotive Museum Photos from 1958 to 1962 Part 4
Wonderful deep dive once again on the cars and the showplace that initially shaped my devotion to all aspects of the automobilia hobby.
Impressions such as this and the ongoing efforts of Howard and his focus on this Vanderbilt forum truly bring ongoing inspiration.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Unpublished Long Island Automotive Museum Photos from 1958 to 1962 Part 4
The mechanic is my great-grandfather, Antonio Donderi. He came from Italy with Fiat, and stayed in New York and opened a garage in Queens, NY.
From Mystery Friday Foto #6 Solved: William Wallace Jr. and the #19 FIAT
That’s the LIMP Parkway Bridge over the LIRR and Central Avenue in Central Park (Bethpage). Since both abutments appear to be complete and only awaiting the LIRR trestle, I’d say the date is around late August, 1908. I think we’re looking east or maybe slightly southeast. That tunnel-like structure was actually an underpass to allow William O. Stymus to travel between the eastern and western sections of his farm that had been bisected by the LIMP. So actually, the completed structure would become a “triple play” as a Parkway, Farmway, Railway bridge.
From Mystery Friday Foto #9 Solved; The Central Ave Bridge Being Built
LIMP Bridge over Central Ave and the LIRR in Bethpage. Just north of dead man’s curve.
From Mystery Friday Foto #9 Solved; The Central Ave Bridge Being Built
Overpass at Central Avenue in Bethpage
From Mystery Friday Foto #9 Solved; The Central Ave Bridge Being Built
Loved seeing all the supporting materials that were added after the “mystery” was solved. The Marty Himes memorabilia is a rare treat. Thanks for sharing it.
From Mystery Friday Foto #8 Solved; Midget Racing at the Polo Grounds & The Marty Himes Collection
My first guess was this would be the Polo Grounds where the Dodgers played.
The track looks to be wood planks. My dad took me to a race once in Garden City South on Hempstead Turnpike, indoors in some arena. I believe there is still an arch from that place fronting the Cherry Valley Marketplace. Dad called the race cars “Midgets.”
That’s all my failing memory, eyesight, and Google could dig up.
From Mystery Friday Foto #8 Solved; Midget Racing at the Polo Grounds & The Marty Himes Collection
I believe the picture shows Dexter Park which I think was off Woodhaven Blvd in Queens.
Was never there because I was not allowed to drive out of Nassau County
From Mystery Friday Foto #8 Solved; Midget Racing at the Polo Grounds & The Marty Himes Collection
A little clearer picture.
From Mystery Friday Foto #8 Solved; Midget Racing at the Polo Grounds & The Marty Himes Collection
New York’s Polo Grounds - New York Giants
“During the summer months, while the Giants baseball team was on the road, the facility was converted into a racetrack that hosted Midget cars. The $150,000 one-fifth-mile board surface was laid over an aluminum frame so as to not damage the playing field, and took 18 hours to construct.” (Getty Images)
1948/1949
Article is from Billboard, April 17, 1948.
From Mystery Friday Foto #8 Solved; Midget Racing at the Polo Grounds & The Marty Himes Collection
From James King
Polo Grounds
From Mystery Friday Foto #8 Solved; Midget Racing at the Polo Grounds & The Marty Himes Collection
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