Vanderbilt Cup Races

Great going, David!  I was hoping someone would make a home for the relics and I’m so glad they have special meaning to you.  I have part of a post and a piece of roadway down here in NC.  And I strategically placed more roadway behind the shed at the rear of my previous house in Levittown. I need to go back there at some point and see if they still remain.

From Kleiner's Korner: A Return to the Long Island Motor Parkway (Part 1)

I managed to save some of the remnants of the Motor Parkway at the end of Heron Court in Levittown.  It was still right where Art left it.  Back in the 1980’s along this stretch of the Motor Parkway when I was a kid we had set up a small bike path with jumps and obstacles for us to play.  It was closer to the Skimmer lane side which was where these pieces were when I found them today.  Literal touchstones for me.  When I recovered these pieces it looked like the end of Heron Court was in the process of undergoing some new planting and landscaping.  These pieces of the Motor Parkway very soon would’ve been swallowed up or destroyed to make way for further landscaping.  They are now on the side of my house.  I think in one of my pictures you can see the rebar imbedded in the traprock.  I was glad to have been able to save these 115 year old relics.

From Kleiner's Korner: A Return to the Long Island Motor Parkway (Part 1)

My mistake. I owned Tucker #9 from mid 1962 through the middle of the 1960’s (probably around 1967) when I sold it to Bill Hamill.

From Profile Series: Tucker 1009- The Award-Winning Grey Tucker Owned By George Lucas

There is part of this history that is wrong. I owned Tucker #1009 from 1961 to approx 1966 when I sold it to William Hamlin in Onterio California. This car was for sale in the antiques and classics of the Loa Angeles Times and was in the hands of a private owner at the time of purchase. I purchased it for $2500. Or should I say my parents bought it for me for by 16 birthday pesent.

From Profile Series: Tucker 1009- The Award-Winning Grey Tucker Owned By George Lucas

Walt - we obtained some material from the Henry Ford Museum relating to the LIAM auction which I’ll be reviewing with Greg and if applicable will include in future posts.  Here is one example showing the profit made on each car auctioned.  And two 1972 invoices (one revised showing Austin’s signature), showing the purchase of some vehicles by Bernard Zipkin. More to come!

From Greg O's Garage; Henry Austin Clark Jr.'s 1955 Automobile Auction Part 1

Thanks for the great history.

From Greg O’s Garage; Henry Austin Clark Jr.‘s 1955 Automobile Auction Part 2

Can anyone looking at this tell us where the cars mentioned that were auctioned off are now?  Austin kept a folder /file on every car he owned - told of who he bought it from, and any history plus also noted if he sold it and to whom. When I was his librarian 50 years ago at his library in Glen Cove, there were occasions to look at that file drawer to get information for then current owners of the cars he had at one time. All of these folders are to the Henry Ford Museum /Library which is where Austin donated his library to.

From Greg O's Garage; Henry Austin Clark Jr.'s 1955 Automobile Auction Part 1

David, thanks. I found the lost Comments! Howard

From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Newbridge Road Motor Parkway Bridge Under Construction in 1908

Since there were only 2 comments posted over the weekend about this mystery photo I’m thinking maybe I’m not the only one whose comment didn’t register for some reason.  I guess the internet glitched on me or the website when I submitted my guess.  I knew what bridge it was but through out a guess that the car was a 1908 Thomas Flyer model F.

From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Newbridge Road Motor Parkway Bridge Under Construction in 1908

John, thanks so much for the positive comment. Much appreciated! Howard

From Hemmings: How to Attract 100,000 Visitors During a Car Museum's First Year

Newbridge Rd Parkway bridge (1908-1948) looking N at Newbridge Rd in today’s Levittown, under construction nearing its completion, likely Sept 1908. The CRR grade crossing is at the bottom. RR crossing sign missing in the photo. The Newbridge Hotel is hidden behind the east embankment on the right, a favorite spot for viewing the Vanderbilt Cup Races from the rooftop. Sorry, do not know either car :(

From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Newbridge Road Motor Parkway Bridge Under Construction in 1908

Weren’t original restorations of all Challenger Falcons begun by Kim Haynes of Gastonia, North Carolina?  I believe I have pictures of them in his shop, from years ago.  Does anyone know where Kim is these days?

From Restoration Update #1: The 1962 Holman-Moody Challenger III

This is the Newbridge Rd (Parkway) Bridge in what is now Levittown. We are looking north toward Hicksville. We can identify this bridge because of the Central Branch railroad immediately in front (south) of it. This would be around August 1908, as I think the bridge was completed in September, for the upcoming Vanderbilt Cup in October.

From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Newbridge Road Motor Parkway Bridge Under Construction in 1908

Jerusalem Ave.  Due to the train tracks in front of the LIMP crossing.  Means we are looking north.

From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Newbridge Road Motor Parkway Bridge Under Construction in 1908

Newbridge Road. Rationale: The LIMP was parallel to and next to the old Central Rail Road in this area. The photographer is looking north. July-September 1908.

From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Newbridge Road Motor Parkway Bridge Under Construction in 1908

This is the Newbridge Road Parkway Bridge in today’s Levittown.  The Central RR tracks ran directly south of the bridge.  Photographer is looking north. 
Sept., 1908.

From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Newbridge Road Motor Parkway Bridge Under Construction in 1908

I’m well familiar with this spot as I live less than a mile from there.

This is the overpass for Newbridge Road. It is easily identified due to it’s proximity to the railroad tracks, part of the Stewart Line taken over and later abandoned by the LIRR. Photographer is looking north as the tracks were on the south side of the overpass.

This section was part of the first phase of the construction so this is summer of 1908.

I have no idea who the big wigs are in the car.

From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: The Newbridge Road Motor Parkway Bridge Under Construction in 1908

I work with soil, aggregates, paving ect. on a daily basis. I appreciate how hard those men worked with limited equipment back in early 1900’s. Hard labor.

From Kleiner's Korner: Constructing Three Motor Parkway Extensions

Howard, you continue to be a leader in our Tucker world and your generosity is overwhelming! The Savoy is an instant destination and you are a hero. With the 75th Anniversary of Tucker coming up I hope to visit and celebrate with you both soon!
John Tucker Jr

From Hemmings: How to Attract 100,000 Visitors During a Car Museum's First Year

Fascinating!

From Greg O's Garage; Henry Austin Clark Jr.'s 1955 Automobile Auction Part 1