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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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From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #5: East Williston, Mineola, Bethpage & Old Bethpage
Newly discovered Motor Parkway photos.
From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #5: East Williston, Mineola, Bethpage & Old Bethpage
p43 picture corner Willis and Harrison Avs, Mineola. Unser’s General Store
From Starting Lineup: 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes
Directly over Grumman airfield in Bethpage/Central Park. The LIMP is at the bottom right corner and along the right hand side of the photo. Deadman’s Curve is cutoff in the lower right. Central Ave, Hicksville Rd and Stewart Ave are all visible. Not the greatest resolution, but it looks like the Stewart Ave, Central Ave, and Powell Ave bridge all look like they’re in the photo. 1908, 09, 10 Cup Races used this area of the LIMP.
Judging by the presence of only the first Grumman building, I’d say this is sometime in 1938 just after it opened.
From Mystery Foto #4 Solved: A 1940 aerial of the Bethpage, the Grumman Airport and the Motor Parkway
East Williston used its proximity to the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race and driver Joe Tracy as selling points to bring developers and perspective home owners to the village as seen in this ad from the “The New York Evening World” of October 5, 1906.
From The Black Beast Helps Dedicate the East Williston New Village Hall
Below is the 1960 image from the bridge series here. Looks like the same couple seen up on Jericho Tpke, there’s only the 3 bikes and boy on the LIMP. Their son perhaps? And the photo taken at the LIRR, I think is east.
From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #5: East Williston, Mineola, Bethpage & Old Bethpage
I believe the Botto Farmway Bridge was located solidly within current day Old Bethpage.
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Howard Kroplick
Robert, you are correct. The park is primarily in Old Bethpage with a Farmingdale mailing address.
From 1958-1967 tours of the Long Island Motor Parkway #5: East Williston, Mineola, Bethpage & Old Bethpage
Art, great post, thanks for sharing. Farmers were not alone in objecting to the Race being held on public roads. The Post Office and local Fire Departments also had concerns about being able to carry out their duties.
From Kleiner's Korner: Part 1 - Vanderbilt Cup Race Illustrations of "The NY World" - The Impact on Farmers
Gary - correction made in the post. Thanks for keeping me honest!
From Kleiner's Korner: Part 1 - Vanderbilt Cup Race Illustrations of "The NY World" - The Impact on Farmers
In the cartoon with Jones and Townsend - a correction - Solomon S. Townsend was not the Nassau County Clerk, he was the Clerk to the Nassau Co. Board of Supervisors. The Nassau Co. Clerk was Thomas S. Cheshire, who served from 1901-1934.
From Kleiner's Korner: Part 1 - Vanderbilt Cup Race Illustrations of "The NY World" - The Impact on Farmers
Steve, It’s Ajassa Battesta
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: Vincenzo Lancia at the end of a 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Mineola
Interesting historical foot note; a mere 60 years later in 1960, with the incoming much-beloved president JFK, who was known to not wear a hat, wearing a hat suddenly became a thing of the past.
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: Vincenzo Lancia at the end of a 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Mineola
In line with Shawn Linn’s comment. . . . . . . .time for you to bring the Black Beast out to California some time soon. . . . . .maybe to the Ironstone Concours d’Elegance in late Sept. in the picturesque little Gold Rush town of Murphys. . . .
From Alco Black Beast visits Ida Automotive
Howard,
Sure would like to ride in that some day! So is it called riding in or on? Anyway, if you ever bring it to Sonoma, you have my email.
Thanks, Shawn Linn
From Alco Black Beast visits Ida Automotive
At the end of the Dyno test, you can see water dripping from the cooling system. It was likely the Beast was overheating at around 200 degrees. This happens when the Beast is not running at speed. I remember overheating at the 2010 Port Jefferson Hill Climb when I was waiting at the start line. It did make a great photo with George Dragone’s FIAT…which also overheated.
From The Alco Black Beast passes a dyno test
Casey, the Roslyn Landmark Society was involved in the prior restoration which occurred from 2008 to 2013. We strongly support the efforts of Friends of Cedarmere. Howard
From Road & Track September 1966: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. and his 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa
I am a friend of Howard, years ago he took me for a ride in the Black Beast on a old section of the Motor Pkwy, in Williston, L I, NY. It was a great ride. I would never push that Old Engine to the limit, its too valuable, and rare!
From The Alco Black Beast passes a dyno test
The photographer was facing south (or maybe slightly southwest) on Jericho Turnpike in Mineola near the start-finish line for the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race on October 14, 1905. That’s Vincenzo Lancia in the #4 FIAT. The mechanician is Battista Alissa, Batista Ajassa, or Ajassa Batissa, or something like that. The winner of the race had already been decided so the crowd swarmed around Lancia who was one of the more popular drivers and was actually still in the running for third place. Observations: it must have been illegal to leave your home without a hat; only one woman for every 200 men was allowed to attend a sporting event.
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: Vincenzo Lancia at the end of a 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Mineola
Howard, what’s dripping out near right front wheel in video? looks like water. Actually I was a little disappointed in the torque figure. Of course these are rear wheel figures. Do you think that the wooden wheels might be responsible for some losses( as opposed to steel wheels)? Do you have any ritual for maintaining the wheels? My father had two early model T speedsters and we used to train a water spray on them to keep them from drying out and tight. This of course sounds like “shade tree” mechanic lore.
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Howard Kroplick
Casey, it looks like the Beast overheated during the Dyno with water dripping from the cooling system. This happens when the Beast is not running at speed. Thanks for the suggestion to maintain the wheels. Much appreciated.
From The Alco Black Beast passes a dyno test
Hey Casey, Sold the Mack to a guy in Greenlawn, Understand he drives it around town. Donated the Fulton to the Cradle of Aviation Museum, it’s on display there.
From Road & Track September 1966: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. and his 1948 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa
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