Vanderbilt Cup Races

Hi Howard,
Awesome pics of an awesomely restored ALCO. It looks much heavier than 4000lbs and at $104k, I guess it was obtainable for only a few. They don’t make them like they used to. Thanks for sharing. Also nice job by Joey on the facebook aerial shots of the LIMP western terminal. 😊

From In Search of Alcos: #8 1911 40-HP Alco Toy Tonneau Touring Car on Long Island

I also lived on Motor Parkway, the last block before the mansion it was renamed Lake Drive in the early 30’s,  My house was about 200 feet from the mansion and on rainy days I spent many hours in the mansion.  We had natural gas heat thanks to the pipe line that was installed when the restaurant opened, all the homes had access to the gas line under the motor parkway.  Heilman had a small real estate office sitting all by itself on Rosedale avenue and Marion Drive on a litle island at the fork in the road. I don’t get out there much anymore, but just as well, I didn’t care for the many changes.

From Insight Into Long Island Motor Parkway License Plates

Nice aerial shots. It’s amazing how much the place has changed that keeps me analyzing ‘em. Howard, are there any aerial pics in the New Hyde Park area of the elusive LIMP bridge that crossed the NSP and NHP Road which was approx .75 mile east of the Lake Success double bridges? Thanks again for the interesting pics.

From Midget Auto Racing at Roosevelt Raceway in 1939

Without the efforts of fine gentleman like Howard and Al to “sound the call” to the County and officials at the Park this bridge would still be in disrepair and debris would be piled up and around it by uncaring people and groups. If you care about the L.I. Motor Parkway and long island history you need to voice your opinion to every political and elected official you can and make it known that this is important to preserve. You just know they will all show up to smile for photos when the project is done.

From Update #2: Damage to the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

Great pic Howard - my house is there somewhere a bit east of Roosevelt Raceway.  I do want to make a correction - the close-up of the bridge in East Meadow is actually over Newbridge Ave (today’s Salisbury Park Drive), not Newbridge Road.  Newbridge Road is further east, past the Wantagh Parkway that is shown running across the top of the main pic.  Looking at a 1939 Atlas, I see Newbridge Ave. running south through Salisbury Park and crossing Hempstead Turnpike. Interestingly, a 1950 Atlas shows it named Bellmore Westbury Road and ending where it meets the Motor Parkway (i.e., not continuing through the Park).  I know Newbridge Avenue extended south of Hempstead Turnpike through East Meadow, but probably around 20 years ago it was renamed East Meadow Avenue, to ease the confusion between it and Newbridge Road.  Hope this makes sense.

From Midget Auto Racing at Roosevelt Raceway in 1939

more great photos,thanks.looking forward to the Bridge pictures,a group called EMRA ran a Vanderbilt Cup Series there in the ‘70s(unofficial?).It was truly a special place for race fans.Guy’s site is also great.

From A Treasure Box of Long Island Auto Racing Discovered by the Cradle of Aviation

Hi Arleen:

Please send a jpeg of the fob to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we’ll try to ID it.

Howard

From A Family Member Seeks Information on a 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race Driver Edward Hawley

So fascinating….....Having lived on Motor Parkway from 1947-1970…..and my father’s family
having had a summer bungalow on Parkway Blvd since 1923….I feel a kinship to the road.

I remember the night the Vanderbilt mansion [as we referred to it] burned, and how sad we were that a piece of history was gone forever. Our private beach at the end of Heilman Avenue (for the property owners of Lake Ronkonkoma Heights) was adjacent to the Vanderbilt’s property (Petit Trianon).

Just watched the Video “Motor Parkway 1908-1938” and enjoyed the journey back tremendously.

Thanks for the info on the license plates…..it’s my next adventure to try and find one.!
Grace Schembri

From Insight Into Long Island Motor Parkway License Plates

Hi Noel:

Here are some answers to your questions:

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

Howard

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Forum #8 -Saturday, April 9, 2011 (News, Comments, Feedback & Events)

Regarding the ALPCA meeting .
How many Long Island Motor Parkway license plates were issued to the public? Does anyone have a “guesstimate” of the total? Who has the license plate number 1? does it exist in a collection somewhere ? what would be the current cost to acquire one of the originals LIMP plates today if they are even available?
Thanks for your help.
        Respectfully
              Noel Gish
              SCVM-Board of Trustees

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Forum #8 -Saturday, April 9, 2011 (News, Comments, Feedback & Events)

From Sam Berliner III:

“I must take issue there; by the time Ron took that photo, the lodge had been heavily modified and incorporated in the larger, two-story structure pictured (which then became the basis for the “mini-mansion” now extant).”

From From the Ron Ridolph Collection: Images of the Long Island Motor Parkway

Hi Joe:

I spoke to Al this evening and he now agrees with you that the Mason Ole restaurant was never part of a Motor Parkway Lodge.

Howard

From The Story of the "Four" Brentwood Toll Lodges (1911-1934)

What a great piece of history. I was recently on a piece of the old roadway by Winchester Blvd. and Union Tpk. in Queens and seen the old concrete roadway. Amazing!!! Piece of Long Island history

From The Packard Gray Wolf- One of America's First Lightweight Racers

Hi Howard - hope I’ll be able to attend.

From Central Park Historical Society Press Release: April Presentation on the Long Island Motor Parkway

Howard:  When the “Mason Ole Restaurant” was built, It was built to be another type of restauant, many years ago. It was never a Toll Lodge. Howard And Al “Keep up the good work, This is the best”.  Joseph (Motorpky) DeBono

From The Story of the "Four" Brentwood Toll Lodges (1911-1934)

Hi Eric: Thanks for the report. I have contacted both the Old Bethpage Village Restoration and Nassau County Department of Parks this week requesting an update on their plans to clean and restore the bridge. To date, they have not resturned my calls or emails. They obviously have not seen what happens when LIMPers get upset. Stay tune!!

Howard

From A CALL TO ACTION: The Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

My mom and dad took me there in the late 60s.I must have been 6.I remember the older gentleman and the ride on the old fire truck. I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT WONDERFUL DAY.THANK YOU SO MUCH!

From Film "The Long Island Automotive Museum"

I have a silver fob with a rider on antique motorcycle on front.
The back has-O.M.M.C or O.
HAWLEY CUP
H.WHETTERLEY
I would appreciate any information on this.

From A Family Member Seeks Information on a 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race Driver Edward Hawley

WOW! It’s amazing how that ALCO 12 can be kept in that condition with original parts after a century. True restoration. I’d imagine that would take some hard and tedious work. Loved the Andy Oldman description and adventures with the vehicle. Thank you Mr. Rodriquez and for the post Howard.

From In Search of Alcos: #7 1912 Alco Touring Car Owned By Andy Oldman

Please enroll me in this group. I haven’t been active in LIMP walks recently, but I am still a fan

From First Meeting of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society