Vanderbilt Cup Races

Hi Howard
Interesting paintings by Harvey Kidder. In one of them I see lampposts on an upper roadway. I’m assuming the LIMP there is running the underpass (perhaps Old Courthouse Rd) since I believe the LIMP had no lighting. Is there any info on lighting of the LIMP? How did they power the toll booths on the ROW? I’ve never noticed lamposts in any of the LIMP accident photos at night. Those night pics give the impression of dark, nightmarish times but in daytime, I’m sure it was wide open paradise!

From The Long Island Motor Parkway Paintings By Harvey Kidder

Beautiful!  Fantastic footage.  Thanks.

From Film "A Tribute to Bernd Rosemeyer- Winner of the 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Race"

Hello Howard. I am new to your site. I own a SPO car that could have run in one of th wheatley hills light car races.  Do you have any info?  I think this was run in conjunction with the Vanderbilt Cup. thanks, Rick Rawlins

From Favorite Website: Motorsnaps.com

Oh! Many were the times I visited there, and in the summer of ‘77, Mr. Clark gave me a job sorting and cataloging parts, in the warehouse, that he had purchased in the liquidation of an old parts house. I spent more time flirting with Maureen and Anne, though. What a place - and what a loss.

From Film "The Long Island Automotive Museum"

At first, I thought it was Barney Oldfield’s car that had the engine replaced with a 13 liter Zeppelin motor.  Thanks for setting me straight.

From The Premier Vanderbilt Cup Racer that Never Raced

Hi Roger:

Here is a summary of the meeting:

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/thursday2_17_11report_from_the_first_meeting_of_the_long_island_motor_parkw

You are now a Founding Member of the Long Island Preservation Society.

Howard

From Help Restore the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

Howard, how did the meeting go?  I’m sorry that I didn’t know about it until after the fact.  I’d be interested in future meetings.  This bridge needs to be preserved.  The Model A Ford club has been active is clearing the debris under and around the bridge.
Roger Price

From Help Restore the Old Bethpage Village Restoration Motor Parkway Bridge

The horse in 1951.  Carroll Shelby breeds horses like this.  But it’s interesting that the cartoonist didn’t have a “vision” of what the car like look like 40 years later.  40 years from now will we all have miniature cars on an RC leash.  lol

From Life Magazine Automobile Cartoon Series #2: 1903 to 1928

Edith…I’m almost certain we crossed Broadhollow Rd, Rt 110 in Melville, continuing over Ruland Rd as we pressed eastward toward Lake Ronkonkoma. There seemed to be so much more of the the LIMP still in existance back then in the late 50s and early 60s than exists now…joey

From A Favorite Website: Long Island Ruins & Remnants

Hello and Greetings to ALL:

This new venture is most welcomed as it is timely with my 70th birthday and it has brought me great joy that cannot be explained !!!!

Some of you know me from my admiration and enjoyment of our LIMP, those who do not I would like to introduce myself.

My start is a puzzled 4 year old riding in our family car from the cemetaries in Farmingdale and going to grandparents, aunts,  uncles and cousins and friends in Wyandanch. When we were motoring along Ruland Road and Colonial Springs Road, I asked my parents why these bridges were here and the tops missing and their answer was that it as an old road owned by rich people. Next came Republic Aviation family picnics held at Chateau Goodreau on Bagatelle Road and I played on the LIMP roadway and not knowing what it really was.  My Law Enforcement position took me to the various sites but expecially to the 8th Precinct in Levittown of which the desk is on the eastbound lane of the LIMP. along with the impound storage yard in the rear.  Many people do not realize that the width is only 100 feet in width and getting a delivery of gasoline is virtually impossible as the driver has to reverse his direction of sorts !!!! A lot of scrapes and broken side view mirrors !!!

Next is taking slide photographs from beginning to end in the early 80’s and the demolition of the two remaining LIMP bridges over the LIRR, one in Williston Park and the other in Mineola ....These slides are now entrusted to our leader and to all of you to enjoy !!!! My compliments to those who cleaned east of Round Swamp Road at the campsite and now all of you with the first task of the bridge at the OBRV.
 
  As for and to the meeting, I was there in spirit and will always be there in some manner and any help any of you need, feel free to write or call as my data is on the bottom of the page.  I will be sending emails to some or all of you at various times. Please visit, see and peruse my website as it is my life story and what I am, what I do and what I enjoy !!!!    ***  SEE:
    http://ronsafe.webjogger.net

  My best to all and hats off the Howard for starting this venture along with his wonderful site of http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com  !!!!!    I   NEVER DREAMED OF EVER SEEING THESE DAYS AND THE GOINGS ON OF THE MATTERS AT HAND !!!!!!

  MAY GOD BLESS US   AND KEEP US ALL   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Cordially and Fraternally,  Ron     What a Life !!!!!!

From First Meeting of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society

From Chris C:

“Count me in”

From First Meeting of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society

From Ron R:
” Please enroll me in the LIMP Preservation Society as I wish to apply for same. “

From First Meeting of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society

From Joe D:
“I’m so glad your having this In a place that has to do with the Motor Parkway “The Bonwit Inn”. Where Mr Lewis Austin had a place.  Thank You Howard”

From First Meeting of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society

Enzo Ferrari ran the racing team for Alfa hence the logo. always amazed that Alfa let him label their cars.Great site,thanks Howard.

From Amazing Photos from the Archives of the Nassau County Division of Museum Services

terrific thanks.

From From the McCarthy Collection: Four Hotels on the Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

I very much enjoy seeing these Then and Now pictures! Thanks

From Then & Now: Extant Structures on the Vanderbilt Cup Race Courses (Updated: 7/31/2019)

Wow, spectacular models.  Who is that guy?  He’s worth a magazine article.

From Peter Helck and a Piece of Locomobile Vanderbilia

Brilliant before and after pics.

From Then & Now: Extant Structures on the Vanderbilt Cup Race Courses (Updated: 7/31/2019)

Great stuff - Living so close to the grandstand I need to go back and further explore the LIRR right of way (now a LIPA r.o.w.)where the temporary station might have been as shown on the blueprint.  Howard - what do the numbers on the blueprint refer to - 1275+00, 1280+00, etc. - are these some type of distance measurements still usable?

From The Long Island Rail Road and the Vanderbilt Cup Races

Thanks Howard - you may want to check the links for Deadman’s Curve that seem to be pointing back to the Vanderbilt estate pics. 

Looking forward to Wednesday’s meeting.

From Then & Now: Extant Structures on the Vanderbilt Cup Race Courses (Updated: 7/31/2019)