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The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day, and the first international automobile road races held in the United States. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways. This site provides comprehensive information on the races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and current Long Island automotive events, car shows and news.
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The previously lost Comments have resurfaced! Howard
From Mystery Friday Foto #32 Solved: Joe Tracy testing the Motor Parkway as seen on the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge looking west in September 1908
Mark-
It’s a fairly common misconception that in the Carmen Ave bridge photo, it is the NYC skyline in the background, it is not. That is the tree line and windmill of the Ladenburg Farm/Estate.
From Mystery Friday Foto #32 Solved: Joe Tracy testing the Motor Parkway as seen on the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge looking west in September 1908
One more time - 1915 Indy 500 - Thomas Orr #21 Mercer - finished in 13th place.,
From Mystery Friday Foto #33 Solved: Ralph DePalma with a Mercer at the 1913 Indy 500
I’m back - In the 1912 Indy 500, Eddie Hearne drove #6 Case auto, Hughie Hughes drove #21 Mercer auto. The driver next to DePalma doesn’t resemble Hughie at all, looks a lot more like Edward Hearne. So were they posing next to Hughie Hughes car??
From Mystery Friday Foto #33 Solved: Ralph DePalma with a Mercer at the 1913 Indy 500
3 more screenshots.
From Mystery Friday Foto #33 Solved: Ralph DePalma with a Mercer at the 1913 Indy 500
Hope my answers show up on Monday Night/Tuesday Morning because my mind formulated 3 possible locations - Maybe this photo was captured at the 1912 or 1915 Indy 500 race. Ralph DePalma participated in these races driving Mercedes cars. He had the lead in 1912, but towards the end a piston cracked, and had to push his car to the finish line. He won in 1915. Neither of his Mercedes matches the car in the Mystery Foto. Ralph is posing for the photo next to another driver’s car, not the car he drove. Scenery in the background makes me think of Indianapolis.
The man to Ralph’s right resembles Edward Hearne. Both he and Ralph participated in the 1915 VCR in San Francisco CA. DePalma drove #22 Mercedes, finished in 4th place. Hearne drove a #21 Case ( mystery foto car is 21 ), finished in 11th place. So I’m thinking that Ralph & Eddie are posing next to Eddies car. I didn’t notice any #21 cars in the 1912 or 1915 Indy 500 lineups.
This is why I’m not sure if the mystery image is one of the Indy 500 or the 1915 VCR. 6 screenshots below with notes.
From Mystery Friday Foto #33 Solved: Ralph DePalma with a Mercer at the 1913 Indy 500
I think that’s Ralph DePalma with the #21 Mercer racer at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 3rd. Indy 500 on May 30, 1913. DePalma did not finish but was listed at number 23. DePalma raced in the 1911, 1912, 1914, and 1915 Vanderbilt Cup Races, winning in 1912 and 1914.
From Mystery Friday Foto #33 Solved: Ralph DePalma with a Mercer at the 1913 Indy 500
Maybe this became what’s now the Multipoint Automotive Inspection.
From Mystery Friday Foto #32 Solved: Joe Tracy testing the Motor Parkway as seen on the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge looking west in September 1908
Ralph DePalma
Riding Mechanic was Andy Vollman
May 30, 1913 (Friday) Indianapolis 500
#21 Mercer
Start 12th finished 23rd after 15 laps. Out with bearing failure.
There was no 1913 Vanderbilt Cup.
Driving a Mercedes Ralph DePalma finished second in the 1911 Vanderbilt, won 1912 and 1914 and finished 4th 1915
From Mystery Friday Foto #33 Solved: Ralph DePalma with a Mercer at the 1913 Indy 500
After his racing years, Joe Tracy became a consultant for the auto industry. Here is his description of the “Economy Tune-Up” work he would perform on your car for $1.75. I would guess the price would not include parts if needed. Note his reference to the Vanderbilt Cup Race. From the Peter Helck Family Collection.
From Mystery Friday Foto #32 Solved: Joe Tracy testing the Motor Parkway as seen on the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge looking west in September 1908
On The Long Island Motor Parkway book by Howard and Al, on the book cover photo was described as view from the Carman Ave. bridge looking WEST with the NYC in the horizon ahead. In new the mystery photo, I thought it was the same bridge looking EAST with no NYC in the horizon is what convince me it’s EAST of whatever bridge?
From Mystery Friday Foto #32 Solved: Joe Tracy testing the Motor Parkway as seen on the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge looking west in September 1908
One last photo.
From Mystery Friday Foto #33 Solved: Ralph DePalma with a Mercer at the 1913 Indy 500
Additional documentation. First photo is of the start of the race, second highlights DePalma and his Mercer.
From Mystery Friday Foto #33 Solved: Ralph DePalma with a Mercer at the 1913 Indy 500
Driver: Ralph DePalma (with mechanician Rupert Jeffkins)
Car: Mercer
Location: Indianapolis Speedway, Indy 500, May 30, 1913
Outcome: Dropped out of the race in the 18th lap due to cylinder problem
Link to VCR: DePalma raced in the 1911, 12, 14 and 15 races.
Photos courtesy of indianamemory.com, indianahistory.org, the Detroit Public Library and the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
From Mystery Friday Foto #33 Solved: Ralph DePalma with a Mercer at the 1913 Indy 500
This is Ralph DePalma standing next to his Mercer race car. This was May 30th, 1913 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 3rd Indy 500 race. Ralph did not finish the race because of a burned bearing after the 15th lap. French driver Jules Goux ended up winning the race. However, my vote goes to Ralph for best hair.
From Mystery Friday Foto #33 Solved: Ralph DePalma with a Mercer at the 1913 Indy 500
Literally a One of a Kind. And a very special one at that. And part of what I appreciate is that Howard shared the details, each step of the restoration.
From Amanda Martin of Martin Bros. Customs & hosts of the Motortrend series Iron Resurrection found the "absolute coolest car"
That must’ve been an interesting day Al. :D
From Bridgeport to Grand Central Terminal.
LIRR to Flushing CRR Central Junction station, then off at Salisbury Plains Station?
Dr. Tracy still had to walk some.
OR
Likely picked up in the city at Grand Central Terminal with the racer he used to test the track.
IDK
From Mystery Friday Foto #32 Solved: Joe Tracy testing the Motor Parkway as seen on the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge looking west in September 1908
Al,
That’s great! Nothing like firsthand knowledge! And Joe must have been very impressed with your ‘futuristic’ vehicle! I believe I read somewhere he was so impressed that he called his cousin from the truck on his video watch to tell him about all the technology that cars won’t see until 10 years from then! Any confirmation of that story?
From Mystery Friday Foto #32 Solved: Joe Tracy testing the Motor Parkway as seen on the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge looking west in September 1908
Greg, You will note that Tracy billed the Parkway for his train fare but not to and from the train station to the Parkway. Thats because I drove him in my 1918 Fulton truck. Thar came about because I was friends with his cousin, Dick Tracy, the famous policeman and he put us together.
From Mystery Friday Foto #32 Solved: Joe Tracy testing the Motor Parkway as seen on the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge looking west in September 1908
Makes sense, as to this day most great race car drivers will walk the course before they drive it.
From Mystery Friday Foto #32 Solved: Joe Tracy testing the Motor Parkway as seen on the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge looking west in September 1908
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