Vanderbilt Cup Races

Fascinating details! Thanks Al and Howard. Al, one question. I’ve always assumed that 74th Avenue was the “bed of the Motor Parkway” but how do you account for the fact that on the Hagstrom map clip provided by Howard, 74th Avenue seems to run one block north of the Parkway? It seems like it should be “75th Avenue”...in between 74th and 76th Avenues. Was the map wrong, or were the streets changed…or something else?

From Motor Parkway from Little Neck Parkway to Marcus Avenue Part II

Hi Michael:

I will send you a copy. Your Breese racer looks fantastic!

Howard

From Film "The Last Race for Old 16 and Joe Tracy?" (1946)

Thanks for the great response and excellent suggestions. Clearly, the first step is to locate the current owner of the property and determine if they want the area cleaned up. I have left a message for Austin Clark’s son and will report back when we make contact.

Enjoy,

Howard

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

Howard, Regarding the dialogue between yourself, Sam & Joe. There was no Hewlett Av. bridge as there was no Hewlett Av. in 1911 when the bridge was built. The bridge was located west of Hewlett Av. and took the Parkway over property that Vanderbilt owned on both sides of the Parkway right of way. The bridge was located on property eventually acguired by Long Island Jewish Hospital. The bridge survived into the 1970’s. It was demolished at that time when an employee parking lot was built on the Parkway right of way. A huge hole was dug adjecent to the bridge and was tumbled into the hole almost intact. The entire area was leveled off and all traces of the Parkway disappeared. A good view of the area can been seen by taking 74th Av. (which is in the bed of the Motor Parkway), to it’s eastern terminus to the gates of the employee parking lot. The Parkway right of way is right in front of you. Al Velocci.

From Motor Parkway from Little Neck Parkway to Marcus Avenue Part II

I suggest you find out if the owner wants it cleaned up.  And if he does, does he want amateur help doing it.
Are you talking about the grounds or the buildings too?
Lots of questions to be answered.

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

As i said on the first posting of this museum Sue and I visited Austin at the museum ages ago… and yes he and it is missed. On LI Oddities someone said that it was owned by Liberty Ironworks, who has a business about a mile east on County Road 39. Someone else here they thought it was still in the Clark family. I know Austin had property in Glen Cove at Winter Garden (or something like that). Another good point is that brought up by “joseph”
  :“Prior to cleaning up the site, Has anyone considered the consequences? My questions are 1.) is the brush “protecting” the buildings and 2.) would it invite vandalism if the building were now prominently visible? The sentiment to help preserve the site is exemplary and noble. Perhaps the best way would be to form a group and approach the owners with a plan to preserve the edifice. Then, approach the town for a tax exempt status and raise funds with matching grants from private philanthropies and the Federal/ State governments.”:

if somone wants to restore the Long Island Automotive Museum to the glory of Henry Austin clark’s time.. some modern ammenities would have to happen. Even the museum that used to be in Lancaster County (where I was thrilled to see a real Tucker 48) is gone. Somehow I dont think a Quonset Hut would be the right place.  Yes i have fond memories of there and of Austin.. but I also think someone should get the ‘rights’ to the place first.

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

Howard,
    We were thrilled to have hosted the Alco-6, Bete Noire (Black Beast) at Great Neck Plazas 25th Annual Autofest-Street Festival. To picture this magnificent example of not only Automotive History but Long Island History, racing through Great Neck 100 years ago is thrilling.  You did a fabulous job capturing the essence of the day in your film clip.
    Thank you so much for bringing the Alco-6 Racer back to America and back home to Great Neck.  We will always reserve a spot for you at our Autofest.  Hope to see you next year.
Jay Corn,
Chairman, Great Neck Plaza AutoFest

From Film "The "Black Beast" at the 2009 Great Neck Plaza Autofest/Festival"

Hi Howard

I have read the comments on the L.I. Automotive Museum with interest. I am amazed the building is still there. Real estate taxes on that corner must be speep. I was never in the Museum but my friends & I got a wave and a laugh from Briggs Cuningham driving one of Clarks open wheel racrs to the Bridgehampton track. Our 1950’s Plymouth had sign on the back “4.6 litre Ferrari dump truck”. I could be way off base but I think Austin Clark or his family owned the Cubian American Sugar Company. Of course Fedel Castro changed that and this may have put an end to the money flowing into Museum.

From Alley Pond Striders on the Long Island Motor Parkway Greenway

This map explains so much to me!  I live right near Union and The Grand Central and have always wondered about so many features as I ride the path on my bicycle.

Thanks Howard for continuing your research!

From The Motor Parkway in Hollis Hills, Queens

Jan Hyde’s comments are worth considering.  A clean up while very desirable should include some long range maintenance plans.  I would be very willing to lend a hand with a clean up and bring the activity to the attention of my fellow car club members. A restored facility would be a great destination for club events and might be a venue for occasional car shows? Can a committee be formed to explore sponsorship and necessary steps to contact owners and the town/county and possible corporate philanthropic sponsors?

Ken Wiebke

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

If the family were interested and the politicians cooperated do the collectors among us wish to install their vehicles there.There’s insurance concerns,security and all that goes with establishing this type of operation.I feel it is a noble cause as the concept and history of motorsports has almost brought to extinction here,but as a blue collar worker the best I can offer is my time which is limited.
I grew up in Northport and never heard of this place prior to this.
Once again thank you Howard for all you do to preserve the dream and keep alive the history.

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

There seems to be sufficient interest to try to resurrect this site. Finding and working with owner first priority.  Austin invited me to store and display there my 1962 Corvette ex-Frank Dominianni SCCA 1964 BP Natnl Champ #69 for several years.  When vintage racing came along we restored, prepped and raced it from 1987 to 2002. The car’s second life was as good as its first.  Car now in Midwest part of prominent Corvette collection.

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

Cleaning up the former Long Island Automotive Museum site would be a neat idea but one would have to get permission from the Clark family, and probably have any or all who wanted to do this sign a waver of liability. The building itself would probably not be the safest to go into, when it was last open it leaked badly with every rain storm as the roof area had rusted out after 45 years. People are curious, and a lot of control as to who could wander where would be needed, a major task.

From The Motor Parkway in Hollis Hills, Queens

Dear All,
Prior to cleaning up the site, Has anyone considered the consequences? My questions are 1.) is the brush “protecting” the buildings and 2.) would it invite vandalism if the building were now prominently visible? The sentiment to help preserve the site is exemplary and noble. Perhaps the best way would be to form a group and approach the owners with a plan to preserve the edifice. Then, approach the town for a tax exempt status and raise funds with matching grants from private philanthropies and the Federal/ State governments.

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

Hi Howard - Nice work.  Thanks for sharing the videos.  Any thoughts on having some pictures taken of the Black Beast on the remaining portions of the Motor Parkway or the route of the race?  Might be some interesting shots.

From Film "The "Black Beast" at the 2009 Great Neck Plaza Autofest/Festival"

I would be willing to help. I was involved in the new museum in Springfield Ma. and I would be happy to help out.
Keith Korbut
Duryea Transportation Society

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

Yes Please… a foto of the Motor Parkway in the Melville area.  To be precise, East of then Route 100 along the Parkway, from where it passed over the Ruland and Pinelawn Roads at the junction of Colonial Springs Road to the first house in from the corner on the North East side of the Parkway, the Hairston Residence (Mr. Hairston was then Suffolk County Commissioner of Elections).  This is the route we children would ride our bikes in the mid 1940s—down old Route 110 to the Parkway bridge at Route 110 and then East on the Parkway to the Hairston Residence where we left the Parkway and coasted down the short hill to the Hairston Residence. It was still “real” country then, so this was permitted as it was like a private bike tail.

From Motor Parkway from Little Neck Parkway to Marcus Avenue Part II

I’ll help.

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

I’ll give a hand also.

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum

I am sure it would get good press and would make a nice place to rally our efforts for LI Motorsports.

From More on the Long Island Automotive Museum