Vanderbilt Cup Races

Another great post Art! Biltmore has been on my bucket list for a while now, and since I’m a huge admirer of Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater is another home on that list.

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 3: The Vanderbilt (George) Connection and the Rise of the Automobile in my New Home State - North Carolina

Hmmmm…I had a plate very similar to that one. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find it in a few months!

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 2 - The Vanderbilt (Willie K.) Connection and the Rise of the Automobile in my New Home State - North Carolina

Al, Section 4, Paragraph 12 of the Code states the lost item has to be returned in person.  (its in the small print, very small print)!  So let me know when I can expect you.  And are you sure you’re not the Loco person?  We can take this offline if you’ld like - don’t want others to put in claim for the plate now that its been found as well!

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 2 - The Vanderbilt (Willie K.) Connection and the Rise of the Automobile in my New Home State - North Carolina

Art, I cant believe it…. you found MY Motor Parkway plate # 52 !!!! Let me explain, #52 was first issue to Shelby Tucker. It fell of of his auto while the way to a round of golf with Moss Stang, Kaiser Frazier and Willie K. on the course behind your home. Shelby reported the loss to the local Motor Vehicle Dept. and asked to have returned to him if ever found. The North Carolina Motor Vehicle Code has a “if ever found” clause which states that if an item has been reported as lost and later found….. it must be returned to the party that reported the loss or to his heirs. I purchased the rights to the plate from Shelby’s heir, Loco Mobile. So,  please sent it to me insuring for $5000, willing to contribute a dollar toward shipping costs.

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 2 - The Vanderbilt (Willie K.) Connection and the Rise of the Automobile in my New Home State - North Carolina

Thanks Al for the great suggestion to see what else I could find in my backyard!  Lo and behold - just found a Motor Parkway plate and a racer!  Wonder if George Robertson ever drove this one on the Southport Spur!  Can anyone identify the racer?

And not so coincidental, Greg.  I paid extra to get a home lot on the spur!  I was going to build a garage for the racers in my backyard but the HOA wouldn’t permit it!

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 2 - The Vanderbilt (Willie K.) Connection and the Rise of the Automobile in my New Home State - North Carolina

Our deepest condolences to the Helck family and to you on the tragic loss of Tim Jerry and Rita

From Sad news: Tim Helck has died at the age of 64 years

I think the photo was taken in Jericho on the Jericho Turnpike, possibly facing south or southeast. The individuals were all members of the William Cullen Bryant family. They were there watching the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race on October 24, 1908. The car on the far left is a Stanley Steamer. From left to right I think we’re looking at Fanny Godwin White, Elizabeth Marquand Godwin, Frederick Marquand Godwin (back to camera), Elizabeth Love Godwin, Elizabeth Godwin White, and Harold Godwin. It’s possible I have the last two “Elizabeths” reversed.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: The family of William Cullen Bryant of Roslyn Harbor watching the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Jericho

The Bob Swanson Vanderbilt car had a Midget Offenhauser engine bur was a purpose built car for the race with a longer wheelbase than standard midgets. After WWII it had a DO HAL engine installed and was raced as a sprint car. Later a Hudson six was installed and it raced on the Dry Lakes. In the 1950’s a Ford flathead was installed. The front end was converted to a cross spring. I spoke to the second to last guy that drove it, he said it finally crashed badly. I’d pay dearly for the remains if they are still out there somewhere . Bob Swanson

From The Two Midget Racers in the 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Sincerest condolences ...

From Sad news: Tim Helck has died at the age of 64 years

Jericho Turnpike, looking east
The Godwins, heirs to William Cullen Bryant
From left - granddaughter Fanny Godwin White, Great grandson Frederick Godwin and his wife, Elizabeth Marquand Godwin, Elizabeth Godwin White, unknown, far right - Harold Godwin
1908 VCR, October 24, 1908
Stanley Steamer

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: The family of William Cullen Bryant of Roslyn Harbor watching the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Jericho

I am looking forward to seeing, hearing, and watching the Ford Challenger III in motion.  Another one of a kind car, wow.

From Sports Illustrated, November 10, 1962: Ford's Big Plunge into Racing

I remember the cartoon “Lucky Ducky”, cool image.

From Mystery Foto #1 Solved: A 1940 view of the Motor Parkway at Half Hollow Road in Dix Hills

Mystery Foto # 4… This photo shows members of the William Cullen Bryant family. Far left we see Fanny Godwin White and the car is a Stanley Steamer. To the far right is Harold Godwin. These photos were taken at the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup held on October 24.
Again from left to right we see Fanny Godwin White, Elizabeth Marquand Godwin, Elizabeth Godwin White, another Bryant family member and Harold Godwin

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: The family of William Cullen Bryant of Roslyn Harbor watching the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Jericho

Art, I had forgotten about what you call the Wilmington spur. Actually it was known as the Southport Spur. It ran from the harbor to the golf course behind your home. Willie liked that course… played it anytime he was in the area, said it reminded him of the one at his home in Centreport. I believe your home is built on the end of the spur. Do some digging, believe some porcelain parkway plates were disposed of in the area.

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 2 - The Vanderbilt (Willie K.) Connection and the Rise of the Automobile in my New Home State - North Carolina

From left to right: Fanny Godwin White (William Cullen Bryant’s granddaughter) in a Stanley Steamer, Elizabeth Marquand Godwin, Elizabeth Godwin White, Frederick Godwin’s sister Elizabeth Love Godwin, and Harold Godwin at far right on Northern Blvd in Greenvale at the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Races, October 24, 1908.

From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: The family of William Cullen Bryant of Roslyn Harbor watching the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Jericho

Tragic loss at such a young age. Condolences to the Helck family. We’re currently breaking records globally for daily Covid infections. Maintain protection from transmission, we’re still deep in the Covid forest

From Sad news: Tim Helck has died at the age of 64 years

Remaining post from the Wilmington spur of the Motor Parkway! We all know the Parkway needed more business over the years, but who knew how far they’d go to bring cars on it!
And how coincidental and lucky you are that it just so happens to be in your backyard!

From Kleiner's Korner: Part 2 - The Vanderbilt (Willie K.) Connection and the Rise of the Automobile in my New Home State - North Carolina

Sorry to hear about this tragic loss. Condolences to the Helck family.

From Sad news: Tim Helck has died at the age of 64 years

So sorry to learn of Timothys passing, my condolences to The Helck Family.

From Sad news: Tim Helck has died at the age of 64 years

Condolences to the entire Helck family!  May Tim’s memories be long lasting and a comfort to all.

From Sad news: Tim Helck has died at the age of 64 years