Vanderbilt Cup Races

Outstanding article! Really captures the unique history of this track. I’m always amazed at the amount of sand that was on the track. It must have been a challenging drive!

From InstaGRAM report: Bridgehampton Race Circuit (1957-1999)

The events and the aura of Bridgehampton fueled my very early devotion to Motorsport and sports cars. My heros such as Dan Gurney and Walt Hangsen all raced there and the variety of racing shaped every edge of my motorhead focus.
Quite simply… well done Son.

From InstaGRAM report: Bridgehampton Race Circuit (1957-1999)

Hi Howard.
I see your site mentions 9/13 at Bridgehampton.
The Bridgehampton site says there is only a show on 9/14.
Do you know if therevv CB is something on Saturday 9/13.
Thanks
Tim

Howard Kroplick: The Bridge is held at The Bridge Golf Club, on the site of the former Bridgehampton Race Circuit. It is more a party rather than a car show. https://the-bridge-hampton.squarespace.com/the-event

From Upcoming car shows, concours and exhibit for the Howard & Roz Kroplick Collection: Updated 4/8/26

This can’t be the Biondi car.  When Dragones were selling that one in 2019, they stated that it had been sold new in Providence, RI, and was found in the ‘30s by George Waterman.  Waterman sold it to Les Taylor, who sold it to Louis Biondi in 1968.  It has engine number 1319.

There are differences between the two cars.  The Biondi car has the short radiator filler neck, and straight-bottom rear door with T handle, of the 1906 Model F.  The Rowley car has the tall radiator filler neck, and curved-bottom rear door with loop handle, of the 1907 Model L.

And according to the Grace Brigham serial number reference, engine number 2812 fits into the 1907 Model L range of 2201 - 3100.

The question remains tantalizingly unanswered - where is the 1907 Model L touring that Mrs. Rowley sold in 1958?  There are no surviving cars that I’m aware of that fit the bill.

From Can You Help Find This 1908 Pope-Hartford Touring Car?

Howard, sorry for my comment about your 2nd place class win, I do remember about your 2nd place class win for you Tucker and why, YOU WAZ ROBBED! Anyway, hope you got a trophie? you do have a ouple of wining ribbions, CONGRADULATON!

From The Duesenbergs of the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

The photographer was over New Hyde Park looking Northwest. New Hyde Park Road, Union Tpke, Marcus Ave, Lakeville Road, Northern Pkwy, Long Island Expressway under construction and of course Long Island Motor Parkway (right to left through center of photo) can all be seen. Picture was probably taken in the early to mid 50’s. The LIMP bridge over the NSP might still be standing. It appears that the Farmway bridge on current Great Neck High School is gone.

From Friday Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Familiar Aerial of Lake Success

Aerial looking NNW

East-West roads—Union turnpike on the bottom of image, Marcus avenue middle, LIE under construction top

Lakeville road (left) and New Hyde Park road (right) running north south.

~October 1956 due to LIE construction.

LIMP visible south west of Marcus ave and north of Tanners rd.

From Friday Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Familiar Aerial of Lake Success

The location and orientation of the photographer
Generally north over Lake Success (visible)

Major roads
LIE (under construction), Northern State Pky, Marcus Ave, New Hyde Park Rd, Lakeville Rd

Year and rationale for the year
Based on what looks like the LIE under construction 1957-58

Any Motor Parkway/Vanderbilt structures
ROW north of Tanners Rd and west of Lakeville, with overpass 2x over NSP.

Aside: these Mystery Photos of the ROW are my favorite!

From Friday Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Familiar Aerial of Lake Success

Photo is take over Lake Success, looking north.
Major roads include Lakeville Road-running vertically from lower left to middle,
Marcus Avenue-running diagonally from lower right to upper left and Northern State Parkway running horizontally just north of Marcus Avenue and Union Tpke to the south.
MotorParkway is on left, running at edge of Glen Oaks Golf club before crossing Marcus ave, NSP and Lakeville road
Date Late 1951- 1965 since houses on Tanner road are up ( finished 1951?) and NSP not widened yet and LIMP bridge over NSP still up, I think.

Vanderbilt’s Deepdale Mansion is visible just south of Lake Success and Guest House/Police baracks visible at southern end of property.
The motor parkway bridge over NSP and Great neck Lodge visible?

From Friday Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Familiar Aerial of Lake Success

Looking north/northwest. It’s where my office was for years - 5 Dakota Dr - which appears as undeveloped land between the Northern State and Marcus Ave. Rds - Northern State Pkwy, Lakeville Rd., Marcus Ave, N. Hyde Park Rd, LIMP bridge over Nthn State just west of Lakeville Rd, construction of the LIE north of Nthn State and parallel to it. Year - probably during late ‘57-early ‘58. I grew up in Fresh Meadows. Construction on the LIE started there in mid ‘57 and didn’t reach the stage of construction shown in the photo until late ‘58; construction was already proceeding from the City line eastbound through Lake Success when construction was just starting through Fresh Meadows. Other than the former Sperry Gyroscope facility and plant, the HQ of which became the temporary Secretariat building of the UN until the UN complex between 42nd and 48th on First Ave was completed; there is a plaque at the former entrance to the Sperry site denoting its temporary use for the UN.

From Friday Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Familiar Aerial of Lake Success

Looking north we see the giant Sperry plant in the lower part of the photo going from left to right with Marcus Ave along the north edge of the site, New Hyde Park Road running from top to bottom on the right. Lakeview Rd running from top to bottom on the left and Northern Parkway running left to right. Lake Success is the large body of water. The LI Motor Parkway would have crossed Northern State (can’t make out the bridge) just west of Lakeview Rd and continued left to right just south of Northern State. The year? There is no sign along Lakeview Rd of LIJ, which opened in 1954,  and all we see of the LIE along the top is general grading. This portion of the LIE didn’t open, after many delays, until 1958. So it has to be pre-1954 since no LIJ. Late 40s very early 50s.

From Friday Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Familiar Aerial of Lake Success

Lake Success

From Friday Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Familiar Aerial of Lake Success

Looking NW, probably from over New Hyde Park, toward Lake Success and beyond. Visible are Deepdale (Willie K, Jr’s home), the gatehouse (since moved), and, of course, the Motor Parkway, crossing the Northern State. It looks like they’re clearing the way for the LIE, so mid to late 50’s? (I actually think the route was ultimately slightly different.)

From Friday Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Familiar Aerial of Lake Success

Congrats on the award.  The Duesy truly is a magnificent slice of American history.

From 1930 Duesenberg J Murphy Sedan Convertible Berline awarded second in class at the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance

Congrats Howard, on the second place Duesy award at Pebble. Much deserved.
On another topic, see attached photo of the old Grumman Antique and Sports Car club badge. Any body remember this? I worked at Grumman at the time but have no particular memories of this group. I think the club was short lived.

From The Duesenbergs of the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Lake Success, looking north. Lakeville Rd. runs north/south past the lake, and the Northern State Parkway runs east/west below the lake. Marcus Av. runs diagonally east/west to the bottom right corner of the photo, where it meets New Hyde Park Rd. Union Tpke. runs across the bottom of the picture. The “S” shaped clearing north of Lake Success is the Long Island Expressway under construction.

From Friday Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Familiar Aerial of Lake Success

Howard, I’m upset! I was hopeing you would get 1st in class and shot at the Best of Show!!

From The Duesenbergs of the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

So looking forward to experiencing the winner and the team back home at The Waterfront!

From The Duesenbergs of the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Congratulations! Well deserved!

From 1930 Duesenberg J Murphy Sedan Convertible Berline awarded second in class at the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance

Thanks Jim! You are 100% correct!

From The Duesenbergs of the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance