Vanderbilt Cup Races

Episode three of the new PBS Masterpiece Theater series called “Atlantic Crossing” was on last night.  Set during WWII, it’s about the Nazi invasion of Sweden and the escape of the royal family.  FDR arranges for the Princess and her children to cross the Atlantic; they arrive in NY and as they ride in a car in the city some of the 1937 film that Howard shared is used in the TV production.  I perked up seeing it the footage!  The show can be streamed on line.

From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)

I’m going to guess Walter McCarthy behind the wheel with Floral Park town historian Walt Gosden, sitting in Alco Old 16, winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race driven by George Robertson, first time American victory during the early races. Based on photo quality, I’d say mid ‘70’s. Oh the Ford truck, definitely mid 1970s. Don’t know the event, possibly the racer’s 70th anniversary. Keeping my fingers crossed!

From Mystery Foto #16 Solved: Jerry Helck and Walt Gosden in Old 16 at the 80th Anniversary of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Seems that looking at any old time NYC,  what jumps out is how clean the city was.  Bill G. beat me to the punch.  I’m a trolley buff and one of the dvds I have is “The Last Trolleys in NYC”  They were in the middle fifties.  Same observation about the streets (of Brooklyn   Your video is great…a great remember when

From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)

Great video and restoration. The camera car was followed at a distance to allow a wide open view while filming up 5th Ave. Three cameras mounted on the trunk was getting much attention.  Great time machine video! Thanks for posting.

From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)

Do I spy a yellow Tucker in the bottom two illustrations?!

From Helck Family Collection: Peter Helck's "Murder Car" featured in The Saturday Evening Post

The one thing that struck me almost instantly about the 1930’s video is the lack of debris, garbage or litter. The streets and gutters were very clean. Guess NYC in the 30’s was a clean town.

From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)

Mystery Foto #16… The race car shown here is the one and only Old 16 Locomobile, In 1908, George Robertson drove this car to victory in the Vanderbilt Cup, America’s first great automobile race. It was the first time an American car won a major international road race in the United States. The Locomobile competed while wearing race number 16, and it’s been known as “Old 16” ever since. The two friends in the car are Jerry Helck and Walt Gosden. This photo was taken at the Maine Maid Inn in Jericho on October 23, 1988. The event was the Long Island Old Car Club 80th Anniversary celebration of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

From Mystery Foto #16 Solved: Jerry Helck and Walt Gosden in Old 16 at the 80th Anniversary of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Obviously that’s the “Old 16” Locomobile racer, winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. I believe that’s Jerry Helck in the driver’s seat with Walt Gosden as the mechanician. The date of the photo is October 23, 1988 at the Maine Maid Inn in Jericho during the 80th. anniversary celebration of the 1908 V. C. R. sponsored by the L. I. Old Car Club.

From Mystery Foto #16 Solved: Jerry Helck and Walt Gosden in Old 16 at the 80th Anniversary of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Looks like the talented artists’ depiction of Turn #3 at the IMS. Thanks for this very interesting post. The 500 will be coming up again before we know it. Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!! , Jonathan B. Richards II in Missouri.

From Helck Family Collection: Peter Helck's "Murder Car" featured in The Saturday Evening Post

Remarkable films!  I was curious regarding the 2020 film if he/she hit any red lights.  There is a way to have all green if you drive a certain speed- not too fast, not too slow- and of course only when there is no congestion.  I watched the full 8+ minutes and alas the driver hit three red lights (I think the first at 34th St ?).  Perhaps my methodology is not 100% perfect! ????

From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)

This is fabulous!  I love the blend of history and artwork.  Wonderful.

From Helck Family Collection: Peter Helck's "Murder Car" featured in The Saturday Evening Post

Surprise to see many mid and late thirties Packard’s park on Fifth Ave. a popular car.
Also like those early and mid thirties luxury chauffeur driven towncars in excellent condition, must like Howard’s ‘37 Chrysler Imperial Towncar, very elegant! Fifth Ave. clean and well paved!

From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)

Thank you i Have a picture of my Grand pa Léonce BLANCHET.
My family is happy, and great you for your work.
If you have orthers pictures of Léonce Blanchet can you send me thems
Sorry for my american.
Sincerly.
Paul-Georges BLANCHET (the grand son)

From The First Automobile Race Held on Long Island (April 14, 1900) Updated: 7/3/15

So neat to be able to look back in time. Hoping that someone filmed their drive on the LIMP? THAT would be really neat!

From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)

Absolutely a match Brian! Awesome!

From The 1929 Long Island Motor Parkway Brochure and Map

Thank you Christian for an interesting video series.  I look forward to seeing more. 
Here is an article from the Brooklyn Citizen of Sept., 1931discussing a proposal to use the Central Rail Road line and abandonment of the Hempstead branch of the LIRR.

From Film of the Week: Long Island's Hidden History: Abandoned Railroad Tracks

Possibly a 1940 Lincoln/Mercury/Ford

https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/mystery_friday_foto_44_a_motor_parkway_bridge

From Kleiner's Korner: Construction Plans for the Hollis Court Boulevard (Queens Road) Motor Parkway Bridge

I was wondering where the Parkway Garage was located in Ronkonkoma. It’s right next door to my church, St Joseph’s. I marked it on the 1917 map below ‘F. Rummell Garage’. Also a streetview. Notice the house to the left of the current garage matches the house in Gregs photo.

From The 1929 Long Island Motor Parkway Brochure and Map

The car in the first photo looks like a 1940 Plymouth.

From Kleiner's Korner: Construction Plans for the Hollis Court Boulevard (Queens Road) Motor Parkway Bridge

Jerry Helck and Walt Gosden in Old 16 Locomobile, winner of the 1908 VCR. Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the 1908 race at the Maine Maid Inn in Jericho on Oct 23rd 1988.

From Mystery Foto #16 Solved: Jerry Helck and Walt Gosden in Old 16 at the 80th Anniversary of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race