Vanderbilt Cup Races

Are you sure it’s an ‘05? I’d put it later.

From Can You Identify This Mystery Long Island Mercedes?

Story of Consuelo’s death appeared in Sunday Newsday today (March 6).  Also a story about the Vanderbilt Musuem and a two page spread about another Gold Coast estate, Lands End, heading for subdivision.

From Consuelo Vanderbilt Earl, heiress, dog breeder and link to golden age, dies at 107

Thanks for the update Howard.  Any idea as to how the Graffiti will be cleaned?  Looking forward to participating in the clean-up.

From Update #1: Damage to the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

Howard,
Count me in on helping to restore the bridge. The Model A Ford Club of Long Island has been trying to get this started for years.  I’m happy to see progress is finally being made.

Walter Blessing Past Pres. MAFCLI

From Help Restore the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

I take it the Organic Restoration Farm is a part of the Bethpage Restoration? If so,how did the dumping happen? Left hand not aware of Right hand? Glad to hear remedies are at hand and wish all luck. The Model A Club is a great bunch.

From Update #1: Damage to the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

Must have been updated when it was reconditioned as the half doors in the front were seen c. 1910-11 and the whole body looks c. 1910-11. Also it was a small model as the larger Mercedes models were all chain driven cars.  Walter

From Can You Identify This Mystery Long Island Mercedes?

Hooray for Harriet Quimby - keep those fine
articles coming, Howard!

From Pioneer Harriet Quimby's Exciting Ride in a Racing Motor-Car in October 1906

Hi Jean-Yves:

As always, super job!! Thanks.

Enjoy,

Howard

From Mystery French Driver of an American Thomas Racer: Gustave Caillois

From Jean-Yves:

Just few words about this French driver… to complete your good work. The right spelling of this name is CAILLOIS… and your right about his pseudo “Siollac”, that sounds better in french than Siolliac!

His best bicycle result was a victory in the “Grand Prix de Paris” held on October 21, 1894, on tandem bicycle with Échard. He entered motorbike racing in the “Coupe des Motocycles” (race between Orléans and Vierzon, about 56 miles), always as Siollac, in May 14, 1899, but did not finish.

For his first automobile race, he ran a Peugeot 15-hp in the “Grand Prix Automobile d’Ostende” (Wellington Hippodrome, 31 miles) held on September 3, 1900, with relief driver Eugène Renaux.

His participation in major races: In June 26, 1902, he did not finish the first stage of the Paris/Vienna race, also in a Peugeot (light car class).

With Gardner-Serpollet, he finished 73th in the first stage at Bordeaux of the tragic Paris/Madrid in May 1903, and DNF the “Circuit des Ardennes” in June.

Joined Richard-Brasier in 1904, he failed to qualify in the Gordon Bennett Cup, finished 6th in the French Elimination Trial held on May 20th on the Argonne circuit (north of France).

In 1905, as you wrote, he finished 2nd in the French Elimination Trial for the Gordon Bennett Cup and 4th in the race (June 16th and July 5th).

And in 1906, did not finish the American Elimination Trial for the Vanderbilt Cup with a Thomas.

In 1907, he joined the Darracq team, when Louis Wagner and Victor* Hémery quit the company. (*Théodore Eugène, please forget Auguste!) 😉.

He finished 6th in the “Grand Prix de l’Automobile Club de France” in Dieppe on July 2nd.

In 1908, he drove for Renault and finish 15th in the “Grand Prix de l’A.C.F.” also at Dieppe on July 7th, with Vivet as riding mechanic. Then the brothers Renault decide to quit racing and Gustave Caillois ended his driving career.

He made a come back in 1912 and 1913 with Sunbeam, running the “Grand Prix de l’A.C.F.” respectively at Dieppe and Amien. In both races he did not finish. He then put a definitive end to his driving career and completly retired from racing.

I don’t know when he died but probably old and quiet. 😊

And now a little picture for you from a very interesting blog! 😉 http://theoldmotor.com/?p=6037

Enjoy!
Jean-Yves

From Mystery French Driver of an American Thomas Racer: Gustave Caillois

Dear Howard:

Fantastic as to what you and Al and the others are doing. Please count me in!

best,

Joel Friedman

From First Meeting of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society

I have seen the news that Consuelo Vanderbilt Earl recently passed away. I am sorry for her loss. What intrigues me is the fact that she bred Silky Terriers and help get them recognized with the AKC. I am a member of the Board of Directors with the Silky Terrier Club of America and a Breeder of Merit of Silky Terriers. I am wondering if anyone can tell me about her history with the breed and how she came to have them, how long she had them etc. Can you help with with this?

cantellsilkyterriers.com
Thank-you,

From Consuelo Vanderbilt Earl, heiress, dog breeder and link to golden age, dies at 107

Hi Rick:

Thanks for the email. I have at least one photo of the car and will check for more.

Enjoy,

Howard

From Favorite Website: Motorsnaps.com

Love your website. I am not sure who sent me the link, but I sure am glad they did. I grew up on LI and while I don’t miss the winters, it is a great place.

Please keep the site going, it is necessary for future generations

From Highlights and Blog Archives for February 2011

Hi Sam III:

Always great to hear from a Vanderbilt Cup Race family member!

I will do some additional research on your grandfather. I believe he owned the “X” car that ran in the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race:

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/tuesday_may_5_2009_the_x_mercedes_races_in_the_1905_vanderbilt_cup_race

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/thursday_october_22_2009_the_x_mercedes_comes_to_roslyn_for_the_1905_race

Enjoy,

Howard

From Calling All Vanderbilt Cup Race Families

Dear Howard, I am so delighted to find your bloq. I have at this moment the cup awarded to my grandfather, S.B. Stevens, for 1st place in the 10 Mile Handicap race in 1904. He also participated in the Vanderbilt Cup races and I have a trophy (unengraved) presented to my grandfather for his efforts in the Vanderbilt Cup. At this moment I cannot remember the date of this particular trophy. One of his other claims to fame is that he imported the first two Rolls-Royce automobiles to come to America. Look forward to hearing from you.

Sam Stevens III

From Calling All Vanderbilt Cup Race Families

howard/al   please include me with this new group.  i already have my “easy pass” #459.  bob valentine

From First Meeting of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society

Looking forward to driving and seeing what’s left of the Motor Parkway. Mid-Spring I’ll be there! Pick a day with nice weather, hop in the Oldsmobile and do some touring!

From 1955 Lincoln-Mercury Times Article "Granddaddy of Superhighways"

Hi Guy:

This is a link to the entire book via Google Books. The Motor Parkway is mentioned on pages 85 and 94.

http://books.google.com/books?id=L1ghAAAAMAAJ&pg=PP1&dq=The+Auction+Block+Rex&hl=en&ei=Sa5qTYGTLsSugQfT8-zLCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Motor Parkway&f=false

Howard

From 1955 Lincoln-Mercury Times Article "Granddaddy of Superhighways"

Rex Beach’s words are like motion in poetry (from Grandaddy).
Can we see the rest of “The Auction Block”?
Thanks, Howard - carry on.
Guy

From 1955 Lincoln-Mercury Times Article "Granddaddy of Superhighways"

Love the article Howard.  Very applicable today, but with much more of the Parkway developed over.

From 1955 Lincoln-Mercury Times Article "Granddaddy of Superhighways"