Vanderbilt Cup Races

A few neat Leno videos on the Vanderbilt Renaults.

https://youtu.be/-5716xnR8xo

https://youtu.be/PHGBJ-jSJhg

From Kleiner's Korner: Willie K's Cars and Related Items of Interest

Greg - great post!  I remember clearly that section which was one of the hardest to explore as you note.  But my trips back 12+ years ago were well worth the effort!  On one such trip I wandered around the radio tower and ended up in the tree farm where numerous workers saw me.  Rather than evade them I walked up to them and explained what I was doing.  Very politely they explained it was private property and I should probably exit.  With shovels and saws in their hands I elected not to object.  They pointed me to Burr’s Lane and I ended up walking the long way back (albeit safer without having to worry about thorns, debris, etc.) to my car off of Bagatelle.  Would definitely favor a return trip at some point to see the additional section they were clearing. 

Lee - I’m interested in the radio aspect of this post as well.  And I definitely know what you mean about the copper radials as I’m a ham radio operator - these radials are used today to improve an antenna’s performance.  Actually I know of one ham on Long Island who said he’s buried 125 of them in his yard!

From Greg O's Garage: Newly discovered Motor Parkway remnants in Wheatley Heights

Al V.-
As discussed, here is a closeup of some of the 4 in. concrete with a layer of asphalt on top (much of the asphalt was worn off)

From Greg O's Garage: Newly discovered Motor Parkway remnants in Wheatley Heights

Wish now I had taken a photo of it, but the cell tower is now in the wide open since the tree farm practically surrounds it. They are impressive when you can walk right up to the base as we did. The owners say it’s a great source of income from leasing the property of the footprint of the tower to the cell providers.

From Greg O's Garage: Newly discovered Motor Parkway remnants in Wheatley Heights

Great update Howard and Greg, surprised to see the Motor Parkway demolished in the secluded section in Wheatley Heights. I thought this half-mile stretch in the Long Island countryside would’ve survived the test of time.

Lee, interesting fact about increased radio signal transmission from just a one-foot insertion into the ground. Amazing!

Dave, GPS guidance was essential in locating the parkway in a concealed area by the Dix Hills Preschool. I’d like to show you why someday. Perhaps before this spring arrives.

From Greg O's Garage: Newly discovered Motor Parkway remnants in Wheatley Heights

Thanks, Brian.  It’s very common nowadays to use abandoned radio towers (usually AM) for cell phone relays and so forth.  In fact, that’s what happened to the very first station I worked at professionally out of college. 

When developing the land surrounding the towers, many are surprised to learn that copper ground radials are buried about a foot underground emanating from the base of the tower outwards in a circular fashion, usually every 3 degrees or so.  The length of these radials is equal to the height of the original antenna.  Ground conductivity of the signal is accomplished this way in addition to through the air with the vertical part of the antenna.

From Greg O's Garage: Newly discovered Motor Parkway remnants in Wheatley Heights

Hi Lee - I haven’t been able to identify what radio station the Tower is associated with, yet. This tower is named on a 1967 topographical map. Found a NEWSDAY article from 1970 mentioning this tower along with farm & nursery buildings nearby. There was talks of developing this area between Bagatelle & Burrs for a school ( just south of the Chestnut Elementary School ) But it never happened. Then a NEWSDAY article from 2012 mentioning the installation of cell antennas etc on this tower. Tower seems to be the same address as the Tree Farm. Next time I’m at the library, I’ll look through some local history books. Sometimes I get lucky doing that lol : )

From Greg O's Garage: Newly discovered Motor Parkway remnants in Wheatley Heights

Just seeing this. Great post Greg! I love exploring these things, digging up history.

Frank—-according to your LIMP map the parkway is west of this location! There are aerial factors involved when doing this, that’s why there are many spots that are not correct on the map. Nothing better than digging it up on the ground! Can’t argue with that.

Attached are a few pics I took with Sammy in this zone on our 2017 Vanderbilt Day. Once you get past the convent grounds it is very difficult to navigate in these woods, but you gotta do what you gotta do when you’re exploring!

From Greg O's Garage: Newly discovered Motor Parkway remnants in Wheatley Heights

I grew up in Old Bethpage and was aware of LIMP sites in our area but never knew a bridge still existed let alone in the “gravel pits” as we called it.  I’m sure that the reason they deny it’s existence is, as the previous comments stated, looky loos and possibility of historical site preservation. I totally enjoyed reading about this and LOVED the photos!

From Updated 12/7/2022: Then & Now: The Very Elusive Clody Farmway Bridge in the Melville Sand Pits

Congratulations to Rita and Jerry, this is from your friend Ori Masdeu, we spent time together at Joe Puleos garage, and I was a Long Island Dreamboats member many years ago I currently belong to Raritan River Region in NJ and Upper Susquehanna Region in Pennsylvania, God bless you,  Ori Masdeu

From Rita and Jerry Trapani Honored as Recipients of The 2017 Gil Bergen Preservationist Award

Mr. Kroplick, are you planning to take your Bete Noir out for any shows/activities in 2023?  I appreciate your preservation efforts and this wonderful website.  What a contribution you have made to the antique car hobby, sir!  Thank you.

From Patch.com, Roslyn Times, & Manhasset Times: Town Officials Celebrate Career Of Town Historian

Local newspapers covered the accident and reported that Vanderbilt’s car had hit a fruit truck.

From Greg O's Garage: The Tragic Death of William K. Vanderbilt lll

Maybe I can put a plaque with my name on it.  Was on the road as a 10 year old,(1956).  PLus many other times.  My godmother lived on Foxcroft Rd near the eastern cul de sac.  she was first of my mothers family to move to “the island!”

From Mystery Friday Foto #2 Solved: A surviving section of the Motor Parkway off Willis Avenue in Williston Park

I enjoyed seeing Tucker 44 at a car show there a couple of years ago.

From Mystery Friday Foto #2 Solved: A surviving section of the Motor Parkway off Willis Avenue in Williston Park

My guess is that the picture was taken when William Harrah owned the Black Beast. May have been taken at the Imperial Palace in LasVegas. The men would be the lucky mechanics.

From Mystery Friday Foto #3 Solved: The Alco Black Beast at Harrah's Automobile Collection in 1975

Love this story! How blessed you were to be at the right place at the right time!

From Memorable Moments: August 21, 1997, Paris, France- Blessed by Pope John Paul II in the Popemobile

More things I never knew about the Long Island Parking Lot!

From LongIsland.com: Crazy Facts About the Long Island Expressway

Brian,

What station was the radio tower for?

Thanks!

From Greg O's Garage: Newly discovered Motor Parkway remnants in Wheatley Heights

Nice going, Howard & Greg. Glad you were formally invited to investigate this area. You’re right, from way back, this farm was under the ownership of Holmes. Kind of neat if their descendants still own this property. Then the history would be passed down. Sure you noticed the Cell Tower nearby, which according to older maps, was initially a Radio Tower. Perfect time of the year to explore through here as well.

From Greg O's Garage: Newly discovered Motor Parkway remnants in Wheatley Heights

Hi Dominic - As far as we know, the final location of the kiosk building was located at today’s Bonwitt Inn ( now under new ownership with a different name ) You’ll see the screenshot of a blog here below. You’ll find this blog and other info of the 4 locations of Brentwood Lodge during the parkways history, by using the   Search   that I pointed on the screenshot. Interesting stuff   :  )

From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures: #17 The Brentwood Lodge at Commack Spur Road