About
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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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
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Recent Comments
Such a wonderful story about your father, Art. Undoubtedly a multifaceted man. He was probably too busy to be interested in the Motor Parkway : ) Your grandparents are from Eastern Europe, I recently found out my paternal grandfather was Eastern European. I ended up as McCarthy, long story : )
From Update: Highlights from the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society meeting at Waterfront at Roslyn
That’s Barney Oldfield in the 1909 140 HP Christie racer whose main accomplishment was being the first car to have a 100 mph lap at the Indianapolis Speedway on May 28.1916. Barney was Wayne’s great great uncle. The only link to V. C. R. that I could find was that Walter Christie had entered similar front wheel racers in the 1905 and 1906 V. C. races and the 1906 American Elimination Trials.
From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: Barney Oldfield in the 1909 Christie Racer which established the 102.6 mph Indy lap record in 1916
It was a fabulous day and I really enjoyed seeing everyone and paying tribute to Art. Thanks to Howard and Roz for their hospitality. It was obvious that everyone had a great time.
From Update: Highlights from the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society meeting at Waterfront at Roslyn
Bummer, Marty. Hope to see you back soon shopping at “Curby’s”
From Update July 20 2021: A visit to see Marty Himes and the Himes Museum of Automobile Nostagia
Mitch, Yes, at the beginning the Parkway had no speed limits, didn’t ask if you had a driver’s license, didn’t really care if the vehicle was properly registered. A speed limit of 40 MPH was first put in place in 1913. Notices of such were placed on signs leading to Parkway entrances, on brochures and on flyers given to motorists on entering the Parkway. Problem was there wasn’t any way to enforce the speed limit, that is until 1924 when the Parkway established the Police Force, by the way, a year before Nassau County established theirs. No tickets were issued of course, speeders of less than 50 MPH were given warnings, those above that figure were escorted off the Parkway.
From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Tommy Zinzi policing the Motor Parkway in front of the Meadow Brook Lodge
The photo of Marty from the Long Island Antique Power Association July 2019 event in Riverhead with his memorabilia and his old stock cars setup. Was looking forward to go again this weekend event to say hello to the old boy, BUT! Hope he’s able to fully recovers from his injuries so we all can say HI MARTY again?
From Update July 20 2021: A visit to see Marty Himes and the Himes Museum of Automobile Nostagia
The driver is the famous Ohio born Barney Oldfield, Freestone tires from Akron Ohio.
A front wheel drive, NYC based, Christie.
Thank you for taking good care of the Clarence Peter Helck archives and sharing them along the way.
From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: Barney Oldfield in the 1909 Christie Racer which established the 102.6 mph Indy lap record in 1916
Wishing Marty well and a speedy (of course speedy) recovery. I met him at the museum and at Lime Rock when he was racing a midget in the vintage events held in September. Always enjoyed speaking with him.
From Update July 20 2021: A visit to see Marty Himes and the Himes Museum of Automobile Nostagia
J. Walter Christie front drive Christie.
Barney Oldfield purchased the front drive Christie from Walter Christie in 1912.
Oldfield gave Firestone tires big exposure with the “My only Life Insurance are Firestone Tires”.
Barney Oldfield ran the front drive Christie 1912 through 1916.
In 1916 Christie was placed on display across the country.
Oldfield was about at the end of his career. He raced the “Golden Submarine” 1917 and 1918.
From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: Barney Oldfield in the 1909 Christie Racer which established the 102.6 mph Indy lap record in 1916
List of Boyd Tucker colors
From Special Guest Post by Meredith Jaffe: Boyd’s Crystal Art Glass Tucker Figurines
A great day! So nice to see everyone again!
From Update: Highlights from the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society meeting at Waterfront at Roslyn
A perfect day! Warm but with a great breeze off the harbor. SO happy to be there for Art, and wish him well. It was just so nice for me to see everyone again after the past several years enduring recovery from heart surgery. Great to be among friends who are kindred spirits in the interest of the history of long island ! Thank you Howard and Roz for making this the best time I have had in years. Thanks to all who were there for being the gracious people who you all are.
From Update: Highlights from the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society meeting at Waterfront at Roslyn
Art, thanks for keeping the history of automobile and racing alive and well on LI.As a kid growing up and riding my bike on the motor parkway off NHP. You bring great memories. Enjoy North Carolina!
From Update: Highlights from the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society meeting at Waterfront at Roslyn
A kind tribute to Art, well deserving. Looks like you were in Newsday, Art. I’ll have to check this out. Hope you all had a great time!
From Update: Highlights from the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society meeting at Waterfront at Roslyn
An Epic Day. An ongoing inspiration.
From Update: Highlights from the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society meeting at Waterfront at Roslyn
Didn’t the LIMP promote itself with “no police”? Makes sense that they had some, but just wondering.
From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Tommy Zinzi policing the Motor Parkway in front of the Meadow Brook Lodge
Marty has been my friend for decades. When I got interested in drawing sprints and midgets, we instantly found a common bond in Bill Schindler. Marty was always ready to help me drawn from his amazing store of knowledge and artifacts.He is an amazing person. Prayers and well wishes for him to recover and be home soon.
From Update July 20 2021: A visit to see Marty Himes and the Himes Museum of Automobile Nostagia
Dear colleagues. I enclose a news item published in The India Rubber World magazine, published on November 1, 1913. As you can see, Barney Oldfield is portrayed in the image, at the wheel of his Christie. In any case, the text does not specify much, because as it says: “We reproduce herewith a recent photograph”. I hope this news provides some clue ... Greetings from Barcelona, capital of Catalonia.
From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: Barney Oldfield in the 1909 Christie Racer which established the 102.6 mph Indy lap record in 1916
Of course, the great Barney Oldfield with his Christie automobile … Where? I really do not know, as he made several race exhibitions in 1910s. Here are another view taken in the same photo-session… Sure many of the contributors will have the exact answer. Sincerely, Pau Medrano-Bigas
From Mystery Foto #28 Solved: Barney Oldfield in the 1909 Christie Racer which established the 102.6 mph Indy lap record in 1916
Wishing Mr. Himes a speedy recovery. A serious accident indeed resulting such bodily injury. I find the public roadways today with more operators disregarding safety for themselves and for fellow motorists. Get well soon!
From Update July 20 2021: A visit to see Marty Himes and the Himes Museum of Automobile Nostagia
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