Vanderbilt Cup Races

We are looking east on the LIMP as Spencer Wishart (driver) and Robert Gibson (mechanician) are about to go over the Merrick Avenue (Whale Neck Road) bridge during the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup race. The car is the #16 Mercedes and the date is October 30, 1909. Off in the distance is the Ladenburg windmill. Also in the distance are 2 or 3 other bridges but you really can’t see them. Since he is standing near the Meadow Brook Lodge (just out of the frame on the right), the man in the foreground could be Sidney Jones, lodgekeeper at that time. As for the breakfast menu, I think we should ask Al Velocci, since I believe he was Sidney’s guest that day.

From Mystery Foto #45 Solved: Approaching the Merrick Ave. Bridge

A great guy. Thanks for all you did. RIP

From InstaGRAM Report; Marty Himes and his Racing Career

Oops. In my haste spelled my own Son Gram’s name wrong… so sorry.

From InstaGRAM Report; Marty Himes and his Racing Career

Getting a personal tour from Marty when I visited this past summer with Fram and my Brother Dennis will forever remain a highlight of my motorhead life. His anecdotes about Islip, Freeport and (!!!) Limerock we’re amazing. What a collection. What a legend. My sincere hope is that the collection he amassed will be coherently preserved in order to honor his magnitude and passion for this auto mania we all love and respect.

From InstaGRAM Report; Marty Himes and his Racing Career

Thanks Gram for keeping our memories of Marty alive on vanderbiltcupraces.com.  I look forward to seeing more.  I also received Speedway tickets when I visited - hopefully I can find them now.  I knew exactly where they were in my house on LI, but unfortunately when I moved I’m not sure where they ended up.  Thanks again. 

And thanks for all the work you’re doing at the Waterfront.  I’m always amazed at the amount of material we have at our disposal.

From InstaGRAM Report; Marty Himes and his Racing Career

Impossible Kudo Question: 
After doing extensive research, I’ve concluded the gentlemen in the foreground is an uncle of our favorite author, Al Velocci.  The uncle unfortunately must have acted inappropriately for he was not permitted to stand on the side of the road where the other spectators were.  I believe he was a stand up comedian and often incorporated the VCR and the Motor Parkway into his routines - such as: “Why did the chicken cross the Motor Parkway?”  But I haven’t been able to find the punchline - anyone want to offer their own punchline? 

As for his breakfast -I believe he met Howard Kroplick’s grandfather at the East Meadow McDonalds and they both had Egg McMuffins.  Al’s uncle actually bought an extra one and offered it to the driver of #16, Spencer Wishart, as he passed him in his Mercedes as shown in the picture.  Spencer refused saying he was a Whopper man instead.  Al’s uncle tried again in the next year’s race, 1910 and brought along hash browns.  There’s no record of whether anyone ever shared the uncle’s breakfast.

Source of the above unknown.

From Mystery Foto #45 Solved: Approaching the Merrick Ave. Bridge

It was great when we all went out to Marty’s Museum
I always heard about his place but never made it that
was a great day on that road trip to there
thanks, Howard for setting that up
Rest in peace Marty

From InstaGRAM Report; Marty Himes and his Racing Career

Amazing details presented about Links Golf Course thanks to Pamela Dancy and Richard DeMenna. Please continue to post!

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Links Golf Club's Private Entrance to the Long Island Motor Parkway

I had no idea that there were all these different ideas for Mustang.  But I do remember, when I was 8, first seeing Mustang at the Worlds Fair in NY!

From Autoevolution.com: 5 of the Most Fascinating First-Generation Mustang Concepts

Hope this is not overkill but here are a few more pictures to peruse. The first image, circa 1926, shows the Links GC entrances off I U Willets Road. Just north between these two entrances was the Northcourt estate. The estate has been discussed previously on this site (Mystery Foto #14).

The third picture, circa 1950, shows a sharp image of the Links GC buildings. There was a small building, not mentioned in my previous post, between the vehicle garage and the pro shop/greenskeeper barn. That housed a small electrical station with danger/warning signs that us caddies stayed clear of!

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Links Golf Club's Private Entrance to the Long Island Motor Parkway

Judging by the shadows, the photographer is facing east. That looks like the Ladenburg windmill in the distance. So I’m going to say that the location is just west of the Merrick Avenue bridge. I have no clue about anything else.

From Mystery Foto #45 Solved: Approaching the Merrick Ave. Bridge

Okay Art Kleiner I will keep them coming! This 1926 aerial showcases the Links GC buildings and the two motor vehicle entrances in that vicinity. Actually there were two additional entrances off I U Willets Road that were gated. One was by the 6th green and the other near the 8th green. Back in my day they were occasionally used by the maintenance department.

The second picture shows the 11th fairway and the pond in 1982. That was my last year at the club and possibly the last year the club was in operation. Perhaps Pamela Dancy can confirm this? Note the rearrangement of the pond. In 1926, the fairway along the pond to the green was adjacent to VMP. Somewhere between 1926-1950, the pond skirted VMP and the fairway to the green was to the right of the pond.

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Links Golf Club's Private Entrance to the Long Island Motor Parkway

Amazing ‘Links’ details posted here. The parkway stretch between Shelter Rock Rd and NHP Rd seen here before Links’ establishment, looking west towards the Old Courthouse Rd bridge

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Links Golf Club's Private Entrance to the Long Island Motor Parkway

I lived in Carle Place, the end of the street was a dead end where the motor parkway used to be. We played there endlessly. It’s still there, a border between Mineola and Carle Place. I dream of it, I see the ways we used to roam, the trees, the houses, the fences, such nostalgia. We were blessed to grow up there. Ice skating at the Roslyn duck pond, Bar Beach, so many great things. And really no crime, who locked doors? I live in Los Angeles now, no comment on that:)

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Links Golf Club's Private Entrance to the Long Island Motor Parkway

Happy to reminisce and share my memories of the Links GC and the Motor Parkway. In my youth in the mid 1960s, the stretch of the highway between New Hyde Park and Shelter Rock Roads was actively used. Our bicycles were up and down the road. Plenty of bike races and the place to show off all of our new fangled equipment. Banana seats, angel bars, sissy bars, etc. were always showcased. The highway gained a second life for many young teenagers who lived in the area. I can personally discuss the Links GC in detail and can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Links Golf Club's Private Entrance to the Long Island Motor Parkway

Thank you to all the recent individuals who commented.  It’s always fascinating to read first hand experiences of topics on the site.  Keep them coming!

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Links Golf Club's Private Entrance to the Long Island Motor Parkway

I love to hear about The Links. My dad knew all the members, but the names are vague to me. My brothers probably remember better than I do, I’m not good with names.  I wasn’t allowed in some of the rooms, except to clean up. Neither were the wives:)  There were 2 other couples after Bert & Percy. We kind of knew it was going to be the end when the last couple was managing. They had problems. I do remember the side door to the clubhouse, I remember the whole place like it was yesterday. So good to share the memory, thank you!

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Links Golf Club's Private Entrance to the Long Island Motor Parkway

I vividly remember Bert when on occasions a member instructed me to go to the side entrance of the clubhouse to receive a well welcomed cold refreshing coke. Either Bert or Mr. Prescott would retrieve a bottle for me. I do not remember the circumstances when there was a change of management at the clubhouse. However I certainly agree with you Pamela that it was a step in the wrong direction. I am sure we could share some memorable stories on the cast of characters who were members of the club!

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Links Golf Club's Private Entrance to the Long Island Motor Parkway

It was so fun to work there! We churned the butter and rolled it to look like golf balls.
Bert and Percy were the caretakers then. When they passed, the new ones were not so good. Sadly, everything went downhill.

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Links Golf Club's Private Entrance to the Long Island Motor Parkway

Here are a few Newsday clippings that I saved back in the day that enhance some of the previous made comments.

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Links Golf Club's Private Entrance to the Long Island Motor Parkway