Vanderbilt Cup Races

Not a very big pay out from the Locomobile Company to Joe Tracy for his efforts in 1905!  I had to look up the meaning of “Simon Pure” (am I the only one?) which is taken from Susanna Centlivre’s 1717 play “A Bold Stroke for a Wife”.  Means “of untainted purity or integrity”.  What an education I’m getting!

From Kleiner's Korner: From the Helck Family Collection- In Search of the 1905 Locomobile Racer

I will try and locate the business cards Austin aka Homer had made up. If I do I will scan and send for all to see ( oh boy) . I do recall the one that had Austins name on it listed his occupation as ” photographer of old cars and young girls”. Austin was a good friend, introduced me to Bev Kimes who with her husband Jim Cox became life long friends. I have lots of amusing stories about Austin -  he had a great attitude and loved to prove his type 35 Mercer raceabout was indeed capable of 100mph on North Sea Rd. between Sag Harbor and Southampton.

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: New York Islanders Celebrating Their First Stanley Cup Championship in Henry Austin Clark, Jr.'s Old 32

Walt, Good one, never knew that, Fits right in with his character.

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: New York Islanders Celebrating Their First Stanley Cup Championship in Henry Austin Clark, Jr.'s Old 32

Walt, this is very cool! Howard

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: New York Islanders Celebrating Their First Stanley Cup Championship in Henry Austin Clark, Jr.'s Old 32

Walt, the name seemed so ridiculous that I ignored it but it did ring a very faint bell.  No wonder!  Thanks for the reminder.  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: New York Islanders Celebrating Their First Stanley Cup Championship in Henry Austin Clark, Jr.'s Old 32

the name of the man driving the car I mentioned - Homer K. Weivelknip was Austin Clark’s pseudonym and one he used to introduce himself many times when giving presentations , especially at the annual AACA meetings held in Philadelphia. Austin even had business cards made up with that name on it .  Am I the only one here reading this that knew his other name?

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: New York Islanders Celebrating Their First Stanley Cup Championship in Henry Austin Clark, Jr.'s Old 32

Roy: I grew up (and came back) in Levittown and daily crossed the LIMP ROW until high school to get to school. In fact Pintail Lane school (now gone) was built on the LIMP ROW.

Anyway, we used to call it the “Old Motor Parkway” when we would ride our bikes on it.

From Kleiner's Korner: NYC Approval for Three Motor Parkway Bridges in Queens

Yes, Sam - most probably was the date of the building which was finished in 1928 but opened in January, 1929.

And to keep this somewhat related to the Motor Parkway, besides, Al’s comment above, here’s a listing of the national highways listed on the building’s mural (i.e., Dixie Highway, Lincoln Highway).  More found here:

https://forgottenchicago.com/articles/chicago-motor-club-building/

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Commission Headquarters on Jericho Turnpike, Westbury

Re Chicago Auto vs. Motor Clubs, note that the cornerstone is for the C. *MOTOR* C. and is dated MCMXXVIII or 1928 (but that may refer to the building, not the founding).  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Commission Headquarters on Jericho Turnpike, Westbury

Thanks Al.  Further research to follow-up on!  Also, Al has pointed out to me that the Chicago Automobile Club was founded earlier than 1906, possibly in 1901.  I’ve found newspaper articles supporting that but also find documentation of a Chicago Motor Club being founded in 1906.  So perhaps I’ve gotten the two organizations mixed up.  But the flag at the 1906 VCR certainly is the Chicago Automobile Club.

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Commission Headquarters on Jericho Turnpike, Westbury

Art, Your latest post,.. On Nov. 1, 1906, John Farson, the President of the Chicago Automobile wrote A. R. Pardington telling him the Club was going to take $60, 000 in securities of the Long Island Motor Parkway.  Farson was not a fan of automobile races on public roads and applauded the fact that the races would be held on a private circuit. When that didn’t happen the offer was withdrawn.  I don’t believe any member of the club purchased any of the Parkway’s stock.

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Commission Headquarters on Jericho Turnpike, Westbury

Another shot of the 1906 HQs after the race with LI traffic forming (what else is new?).  Wonder where all those programs went!  Note the flag from the Chicago Automobile Club that originated in 1906 (newer info. below indicates it was founded earlier, possibly in 1901) and was an affiliate of the AAA.  The club still exists today and its previous art deco home which sat empty for 28 years was refurbished in 2015 and reopened as a Hampton Inn.  Thankfully the restoration included several original objects including a 1928 mural of the United States showing national parks and major cross-country highways. 
First photo from “Recreation” magazine, Dec. 19, 1906.
Second and third photos from roadtrippers.com (https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/chicago-motor-club/).

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Commission Headquarters on Jericho Turnpike, Westbury

When I posted the Mystery Foto, I actually thought the driver was Crawford Robertson because of its source! Fun stuff! Howard

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: New York Islanders Celebrating Their First Stanley Cup Championship in Henry Austin Clark, Jr.'s Old 32

Brian, You won’t find me in any of the photos. I stayed in my grandstand seat

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: New York Islanders Celebrating Their First Stanley Cup Championship in Henry Austin Clark, Jr.'s Old 32

The correct body style designation for this car is a Locke sport phaeton.  It was available with or without the second cowl.  The second (dual) cowl is more popular today but less practical.

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: New York Islanders Celebrating Their First Stanley Cup Championship in Henry Austin Clark, Jr.'s Old 32

It just occurred to me that not all LIMPers are old car nuts.  “D/C” is NOT a model designation but a body style; it stands for “Dual Cowl” (front AND rear cowls, usually (although not always) with two windshields.  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: New York Islanders Celebrating Their First Stanley Cup Championship in Henry Austin Clark, Jr.'s Old 32

I *KNEW* that was Austie but HK said it wasn’t, so I had assumed it had to be Dr. Bob Banks (see <http://sbiii.com/automot1.html#old16> and attached), who I only now bothered to look up.  Remember Dr. B., Walt?  Oh, my; this get convoluted!  ‘29 Lincoln L (*NOT* K - only introduced in 1931)?  Oh, yeah - look more carefully at the bumper in the closeup - mea culpa.  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: New York Islanders Celebrating Their First Stanley Cup Championship in Henry Austin Clark, Jr.'s Old 32

Even though Mr. Clarks head is turned, I thought it was him. Then image searched - Henry Austin Clark Parade - here on the site. Surprised to see the color photo that Walter McCarthy offered ( don’t know if we’re related). See the hangars in Walters photo, closer to the start of the parade. Crawfords photo is towards the end with the coliseum in the background.

Thinking too that some of you actually witnessed this celebration. Should we try finding Al & Artie in the photos?  : )

From Mystery Foto #32 Solved: New York Islanders Celebrating Their First Stanley Cup Championship in Henry Austin Clark, Jr.'s Old 32

Having been to Vanderbilt’s Mansion a couple times, it is fascinating to see his amphibious aircraft in action.  Never saw a video before.  The motion is stimulating.  JFP

From An Inside Look at William K. Vanderbilt Jr.'s Alva Base on Fisher Island in Florida

Good to see and very interesting

From Update: Greg O's Discovery: Then & Now- The Hidden Section Of the Motor Parkway in Cunningham Park, Queens