Vanderbilt Cup Races

You are correct.  Belgrave was south of them on Middle Neck Road in a beautiful stone building that later became Tower Ford.  I think Ford has moved to Northern Blvd and I’m not sure what has become of that building.  The old Vars Buick Showroom is now an art gallery I think, and the service area which was in an adjacent building is an independent repair shop.

From A Walt Gosden Special: Signs of the Times Part II

Looks like photo in the Hempstead Plains. Guessing photo was taken from the Jerusalem Av Highway bridge over Motor Pkwy in Levittown, looking west during sunset. I don’t see Emily Ladenburg’s windmill in the brush three miles away. Perhaps the windmill is there but absorbed within the brush three miles away. I don’t know any other location on Motor Parkway where this scenario fits. Looking forward towards this week’s answers. 
The driver is likely employed by Spoons and Wells photographers in their Buick

From Mystery Friday Foto #32 Solved: Joe Tracy testing the Motor Parkway as seen on the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge looking west in September 1908

There’s related info on this blog - 12/03/2016 - Automobile Boulevard in Riverhead - courtesy of Howard & Art : )

From Kleiner's Korner: Riverhead, Long Island - Proposed Site for the 1907 Vanderbilt Cup Race

I believe this is a photo of the very newly built LIMP in the Hempstead Plains. Photographer was positioned atop the Jerusalem Ave HWY Bridge, viewing West.My clue is what I believe to be The Newbridge Hotel in the distance, which was on the west side of Newbridge Ave, just north of the LIMP.

Thinking this was in August 1908. Both the LIMP & Grandstand, Pressbox etc was done & ready in September 1908. Grandstand etc isn’t built yet in this photo, so I’m figuring August.

Figuring this car is owned & operated here by the photography firm - Spooner & Wells. 1907/08 Buick 10.

From Mystery Friday Foto #32 Solved: Joe Tracy testing the Motor Parkway as seen on the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge looking west in September 1908

thank you Jeff, if I recall they were not to far apart! I sincerely appreciate you posting the correct information, GREAT!
Walt

From A Walt Gosden Special: Signs of the Times Part II

We lived in Great Neck back then and by dad had bought several Buick’s from them in the 1950’s

From A Walt Gosden Special: Signs of the Times Part II

Belgrave was the Oldsmobile dealer in Great Neck.  The Nuick dealer where you found the sign was Vars Buick.

From A Walt Gosden Special: Signs of the Times Part II

Based on the shadow of the sun on the car, I believe we are looking west on the Hempstead Plains (today’s Levittown). With that much straight-away in front of him, I think the photographer could have been on top of the Jerusalem Avenue bridge. I think that’s Joe Tracy driving the 1906 Locomobile racer that ran in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race. I remember reading that he was hired to inspect the LIMP in September, 1908 prior to that year’s race so that’s my guess for month and year.

From Mystery Friday Foto #32 Solved: Joe Tracy testing the Motor Parkway as seen on the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge looking west in September 1908

Thanks Al, hope I am not boring to many people here with this. But with all the extreme heat we have to contend with I feel it will give some a few minutes of something to see and view and have some relief. Or it may just make you think “why does he collect all that heavy iron?”  while scratching your head.
Walt

From A Walt Gosden Special: Signs of the Times Part II

For sign addicts i recommend Automobilia mag.

From A Walt Gosden Special: Signs of the Times Part II

Margaret, wonderful to hear from you.
There was the 1909 Long Island Stock Chassis Derby in Riverhead: https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/hemmings_classic_car_racing_in_riverhead_the_long_island_stock_chassis_competition_of_1909

Enjoy,

Howard

From Kleiner's Korner: Riverhead, Long Island - Proposed Site for the 1907 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Walt, Thanks for sharing your collection of signs with us. Their history and how you acquired them makes me want to go out this morning and hit some garage sales. Al.

From A Walt Gosden Special: Signs of the Times Part II

I bet if you did get that 1/4 panel it would still be in your garage. Does anyone need a white corvette

C7 left front fender with only a few square inches of damage?

From A Walt Gosden Special: Signs of the Times Part II

Wasn’t there a race in Riverhead as a warm-up to the Vanderbilt Race?

From Kleiner's Korner: Riverhead, Long Island - Proposed Site for the 1907 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Agreed. This unique motor car is absolutely stunning.

From Amanda Martin of Martin Bros. Customs & hosts of the Motortrend series Iron Resurrection found the "absolute coolest car"

The view most likely on the Carman Ave. Bridge at East Medows looking EAST of the Long Island Motor Parkway, Sept.? 1908? A continued view of the Hempstead Plains.

From Mystery Friday Foto #32 Solved: Joe Tracy testing the Motor Parkway as seen on the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge looking west in September 1908

From the Carman Ave. Bridge at East Meadows looking EAST of The Long Island Motor Parkway, Sept. 1908. Continuation of the Hempstead Plaines.

From Mystery Friday Foto #32 Solved: Joe Tracy testing the Motor Parkway as seen on the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge looking west in September 1908

The photographer is standing on top of the Jerusalem ave bridge in the Hempstead plains (future Levittown) facing west.  The shadow cast behind the car is probably a September afternoon camera shot and gives away the direction.  I think out in the distance on the horizon toward the left is the Newbridge Hotel.  Joe Tracy is here driving the #9 Locomobile “Old 16” testing out the Motor parkway in September of 1908.  Harper’s weekly September 26, 1908 notes he hit 95 mph on the new road.

From Mystery Friday Foto #32 Solved: Joe Tracy testing the Motor Parkway as seen on the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge looking west in September 1908

I just checked that RR bridge on streetview, still narrow lol. North of the LIRR is Denton Ave, New Hyde Park. Then south is Tanner Ponds Rd, Garden City. No doubt that bridge was built a long time ago.

From Mystery Friday Foto #31 Solved: The Plainview Road Motor Parkway Bridge in Central Park (Bethpage) in 1910

Yes,  R Troy, I remember the first time approaching that RR bridge in Garden City. Caught off guard to say the least. Not a terribly busy road there, thankfully.

From Mystery Friday Foto #31 Solved: The Plainview Road Motor Parkway Bridge in Central Park (Bethpage) in 1910