Vanderbilt Cup Races

Please tell the Mall owners how nice they were to the entries. They treated us well and they were generous.

JIM BARNES Long Island Sound Region of CCCA

From Highlights from the 2010 Americana Manhasset Concours d'Elegance

Hats off to Arthur! That was a nice shot of the LIMP in his backyard.

From The Motor Parkway in Garden City: The Russell Road Backyards

Hi Howard
On the Wheeler Farmway bridge, you mentioned the concrete “tops” are still visible on both sides of the LIMP. And Robert Miller stated he had crawled “under” to investigate the bridge years earlier. I’m assuming the LIMP ran OVER the 226 street Farmway bridge but not sure. Maybe that would explain the LIMP uphill shown behind the Rocky Hill Lodge photo. Based on bits and pieces, the farmway bridge should have been approximately 200 feet east of the lodge. It looks about right. Another question about the Rocky Hill lodge.  After bike riding the LIMP recently, I’m noticing the existing exit/entrance ramps are only 270 feet approx in length running easterly from Springfield Bl (Rocky Hill Rd) before intersecting the LIMP. The lodge (based on more bits and pieces) should have been located 500 feet east from Springfield Bl. Were there additional ramps located here at the Rocky Hill Lodge? There is an aerial photo (little blurry) posted here of the lodge looking easterly, perhaps showing a total of four ramps: Two wider, longer, spread further apart ramps leading directly to the lodge, and what appears to be two shorter ones (the existing ramps?) running just beside both sides of the LIMP. Though I’ve lived in Woodside and frequently biked to all parts of this area as a teen, the LIMP had managed to hide and escape from my sight all this time. Thanks to you and to all for bringing it into view for everyone to enjoy.

From A Map of the Long Island Motor Parkway & Queens Historical Sites

Hi Margo:

Thanks so much for the information on the Deby.

Here is a link to Part II of the film:

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/wednesday_october_13_2010

Enjoy,

Howard

From Film Part I- VMCCA 1942 Antique Auto Derby "50 of America's First Cars"

I’m James Melton’s daughter.
This video is WONDERFUL.  I can’t wait to see Part II.

Here’s a bit of what I wrote about that event in my (as yet unpublished) book about my father.

An antique auto derby was to be held for the benefit of United China Relief, sponsored by the Veteran Motor Car Club, and chaired by my mother.  Attendees included local residents Henry and Clare Boothe Luce, Lily Pons and her husband Andre Kostelanetz, Time publisher Roy Larsen,  the Lawrence Tibbetts,  and veteran auto racer Ralph DePalma.  Gasoline needed for some of the cars was sanctioned by the government in view of the benefit nature of the rally.  Two thousand people attended the event and $3,000 was raised at the derby for China Relief.  Clare Booth Luce cautioned spectators not to laugh at the ancient buggies, “because if we don’t win this war, we’ll be lucky to have them.  We’ll probably be riding in rickshaws if we don’t lick Japan, or worse than that, we’ll be pulling them!”  Political aspirant Mrs. Luce was hoping to get a nod from the Republicans to run for Congress. 

As “Cholly Knickerbocker” wrote in his August 2, 1943, column in the Journal American, “Time has ‘reversed its field’ up in Connecticut, and junior doesn’t have to turn the pages of the old family album to see the gentry riding high and handsome in vintage electric broughams.  It was tough on the dogs and horses at first, but now that the James Meltons have thoroughly ‘electrified’ the countryside around Ridgefield, Fairfield, Westport, etc., the dogs have become less distrait and the horses more nonchalant when they see one of Melton’s mechanical marvels swishing along minus the racket we all have become accustomed to since the advent of the motorcar.  When gasoline shortages threatened to isolate the good people of these communities, civic-minded James Melton, noted radio artist, whose antique auto collection is famous throughout the country, sold most of his priceless cars to his neighbors to tide them over ‘for the duration’—with the understanding, however, that after the war the purchasers must sell them back to him so that he can again cherish his precious ‘collection.’”

From Film Part I- VMCCA 1942 Antique Auto Derby "50 of America's First Cars"

From Penny H:

Dear Howard: Well now you have really outdone yourself. Lordy what an incredible group of cars and all those costumes too. I wonder if anyone knows where most of these cars are today….....

Ah wouldn’t it be fun to step back in time if only for that afternoon.

Cheers,
Penny

From Film Part I- VMCCA 1942 Antique Auto Derby "50 of America's First Cars"

From Meredith M:

WOW!!! That 10-minute film is EXTRAORDINARY!! How I wish my grandfather [1888-1990] were alive to see it, or even my father [1915-2001]. The quality of the film is really amazing—I love the part where the 1898 car catches fire and the photographers rush in, almost pushing out the guy with the quasi-fire extinguisher.

This is a treat. Thanks, Howard

From Film Part I- VMCCA 1942 Antique Auto Derby "50 of America's First Cars"

Great pictures and interview, Howard, and thanks for helping to make it a fun and memorable day. All the local papers followed it up with stories and everyone’s still talking about the appearance of “The Beast”. 
Earl

From The Bridgehampton Vintage Auto Rally Parade Part I

Hi Howard,  There were many years of meets at the Fairfield County Hunt Club.  I think the last one I took a car to was in 1965. I am quite sure that the (1908) 90HP Mercedes belonging to James Melton was c. 1913. The car is now in the collection of Dick King in CT. It was very comon to predate cars in the early days of the hobby. Great piece of film! Regards,  Walter

From Film Part I- VMCCA 1942 Antique Auto Derby "50 of America's First Cars"

Hi Kevin: The car show is listed.

Howard

From News and Updated Schedule of Long Island Car Shows & Automotive Events

The first annual antique and classic car show will
be at the Birchwood Adult Home at 423 clay pitts rd in east northport on 10/17/2010 from 10-3pm
I hope you can pass this info along to anyone
interested in attending, or contact the adult home
at 368-5252.

From News and Updated Schedule of Long Island Car Shows & Automotive Events

Hi Steven:

They are two different bridges. The Motor Parkway “Sandpit” Bridge is on private property west of Route 110 and not open to the public. The Maxess Bridge (only abutments remain) is located east of Route 110:

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/blog/article/wednesday_september_22_2010_a_new_motor_parkway_map_suffolk_county_historic

Howard

From The Eight Intact Long Island Motor Parkway Bridges

The last photo, “Sandpits, Melville, Nassau County”, is that the same as the site of the Maxess Road Bridge, in Melville, NY 11747. While using Google Earth, I saw pictures of the old bridge, near 135 Maxess Rd. ( just east of Rte. 110 ).
Is Sandpits the same as Maxess Rd. Brige or is that a different one in Melville?

From The Eight Intact Long Island Motor Parkway Bridges

It was great seeing you today with your car!
When you took the pictures today nothing was said about copies. If it is possible you can e-mail copies of me and Herman and Eileen Berg. We would get a kick out if it.

Regards, Jack

From Favorite Website: Suffolk Historic Newspapers

Howard - two parkway posts are found in the Levittown picture just left to the white fence on the right. Enlarging the pic helps.  These are the only ones I’ve encountered on this section of the Roadway.

Also, the link on the Bethpage section mentioning Round Swamp Road isn’t working.

Very informative blog this week.  Thanks.

From A "New" Motor Parkway Map & Nassau County Historical Sites

Howard, thanks for putting the information up.  And thanks to Howard for preserving the roadway.

From The Motor Parkway in Garden City: The Russell Road Backyards

Thank you Bob for sharing and Howard for passing along.  Now I know what will be keeping me busy as we move into the colder months.

From Favorite Website: Suffolk Historic Newspapers

Great find, Howard. I blogged about it today.

http://firstsuperspeedway.com/blog/free-line-newspaper-search

From Favorite Website: Suffolk Historic Newspapers

Marty HImes told me many years ago that there were buried sections of the MP that still existed but I am not sure if they were Russell Road.

The town ought to landmark Arthur’s section, if it is the only large piece left, so that any future owner of the property will not have it dug up and carted off to the landfill.

Penny

From The Motor Parkway in Garden City: The Russell Road Backyards

From Randy H:

Hi Howard,

I was at the Vanderbilt Mansion last weekend, for the annual Jaguar Concours held there, and once again found the whole mansion display of the Cup Races and Motor Parkway fascinating. I have long been intrigued by the whole ‘birth of racing’ here on Long Island, being a resident and passionate sports car owner and aficionado.

So earlier this week I did the requisite Wikipedia and Google searches to learn more about all this history, and come across your wonderful site! I’m still exploring all the nooks and crannies but found the recent blogging on the 15 page map and all the photos of the remaining sections of the Parkway most interesting.

I have lived in Dix Hills (right off of Vanderbilt Parkway) for 10 years now, and always knew I was driving on a piece of history everyday as I went to work or passed the library and noticed the historic site sign.

To my immense surprise, I came across the photo you have of the single concrete marker still standing (the one with the United Methodist Church sign in it). Lo and behold, that marker is practically right across the street from my house!

Alas, I must inform you that the marker is no longer standing straight as in the picture. It’s now tipped over on its side, perhaps a casualty of last year’s rough winter plowing. This morning I tried moving it a bit and found it appears still grounded somehow at the bottom, perhaps with a steel post of sorts (didn’t want to pry too much underneath it).

So I did not want to mess with it anymore until I contacted you, but I would be more than happy to assist in reanchoring it or preserving it in some other manner if that’s possible and appropriate.

Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

From A "New" Motor Parkway Map & Suffolk County Historical Sites