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
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Recent Comments
Sam, Your mention of the Roslyn grade, I assume your referring to Northern Blvd on the east side of the Roslyn Viaduct. If so, I recall at least one newspaper article describing how some early Fords could only make the grade by backing up the hill. Today the grade elevation is much lower than it was originally, we now go under the railroad crossing, at one time that section of Northern Blvd had a steeper angle and was a level grade crossing with the railroad.
From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Still Open for Discussion: A Motor Parkway Bridge Built on a Curve
Sorry. Too easy for me. 63 Greene Drive. Rosyln.
We are looking at the westbound LIMP, a couple of hundred yards west of Old Searingtown Rd. My brother first found this in the summer of 1975, when I was 9 years old. The house is still there. It was built about 1960. This area of the LIMP survived until 1995.
From Mystery Foto #47 Solved: A House Built on the Long Island Motor Parkway Right-Of-Way
Go it Brian! Great pics. Thanks.
From Kleiner's Korner: Removal of the (Old) Westbury Road Motor Parkway Bridge in East Meadow
That section is from NHP rd on the west to Searingtown rd on the east. the northern part by IU Willets rd.
From Mystery Foto #47 Solved: A House Built on the Long Island Motor Parkway Right-Of-Way
Nice job, Art. Thought to post the below 2 images from a past blog. Once you see them it’ll be understood.
From Kleiner's Korner: Removal of the (Old) Westbury Road Motor Parkway Bridge in East Meadow
Have you screened Ford v Ferrari yet? I think you’d love it!
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Howard Kroplick
Maybe this weekend!
From The Day We Met Carroll Shelby
Even the least width of the roadways doubled the LIMP. My driveway is 20 ft wide and 2 vans can comfortably park side by side. Toll cost was lower for the LIMP at this time period, too. Still had to be the best route until the State Pkwys took over.
From 1927 Map Showing the Long Island Motor Parkway and Proposed Highways & Parkways East of Queens
I love the hand lettering! It’s very much a lost art these days.
From 1927 Map Showing the Long Island Motor Parkway and Proposed Highways & Parkways East of Queens
Al Prete - I agree with all the above. You are correct.
From Kleiner's Korner: Removal of the (Old) Westbury Road Motor Parkway Bridge in East Meadow
Hate to disagree but most cars that ran the LIMP probably had little trouble on those grades. Cars back then went up and down the Roslyn and Spinney Hill grades, as well as in and out of Port Jeff., routinely. Ditto the climb from the Hudson up to Broadway in northern Manhattan and similarly in Yonkers and Croton and across the river in Nyack. There was a hill on today’s Rte. 17 over the Catskills where Model Ts had to back up to summit but nothing near like that on LI. Any documentation to prove either thesis? Sam, III
From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Still Open for Discussion: A Motor Parkway Bridge Built on a Curve
Hi Al, based on a conversation Howard and I had, I believe you may be right. Thanks.
From Kleiner's Korner: Removal of the (Old) Westbury Road Motor Parkway Bridge in East Meadow
So the stretch of the Motor Parkway from where it turns SE (E of Carman Avenue) to where it turns E again ran parallel to Old Westbury Road, and just south of it. Based on modern maps, it appears that this stretch of Salisbury Park Drive came from Old Westbury Road, and not from the Motor Parkway. Where the Motor Parkway was is now occupied by baseball fields and the Knolls residential community. Or am I off base?
From Kleiner's Korner: Removal of the (Old) Westbury Road Motor Parkway Bridge in East Meadow
Al - That’s hidden history few or none know about, thank you for sharing this. If Vanderbilt had his way, those two parkway bridges would’ve been only 1000 ft apart. I believe it worked out better the way it did - Over LIRR first, then under OCR (southbound). Those cars definitely were struggling up those grades. What a sight it must’ve been! Wish I was there.
From Mystery Friday Foto #45 Still Open for Discussion: A Motor Parkway Bridge Built on a Curve
Brian - What sold me that photo was taken before the 1908 race is how the grass on the south side by the boundary fence is still untouched. If I remember correctly Al Velocci once said the property south of the RoW was leased for the placement of the grandstand. If this photo was taken after 1910, that section of grass would show dirt after demolition. Based on photos, I know the Official’s Stand was built roughly centered to the larger Grandstand, and also centered to the mechanic’s pits. That cleared-out dirt section on the south side could be initial construction for the west pits, and the Grandstand would eventually extend 50ft south beyond the LIMP boundary fence that is still in place. Besides all this the parkway looks new, no tire marks.
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved:A View of the Motor Parkway looking West from the Officials' Stand/Press Box
Howard, I may be wrong but reading this, a page is repeated and one is missing. Do you have the missing page? Thank you!
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Howard Kroplick
Peter, good catch! Correct page has been added.
From October 23, 1958 Newsday: The Races That Made History
Hi Frank. If an image of the area can be found where the shed is ( south & west ) removed during the races, then we would know for sure that the Foto is 1908 thru 1910. If an image shows the shed existing, there couldn’t be a way to know if this Foto was earlier or later. As I zoomed in, the boundary fence is diverted ( entire shed is within the ROW ). That rectangular bare area on the same side ‘appears significant’, but I know the grandstand was just east of where the guardrail ends. Were those really rest areas that I pointed out?
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved:A View of the Motor Parkway looking West from the Officials' Stand/Press Box
Some say the photo is during the 1908 race construction, others say it’s after the 1910 race demolition. I believe it’s earlier. Which is it?
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved:A View of the Motor Parkway looking West from the Officials' Stand/Press Box
I remember as a kid in the 1950s, living on Princeton St. in Williston Park, and often crossing the trestle on the Motor Parkway to the open fields in yet to be built up East Williston. There was great sleigh riding there with maybe 50 or more of us enjoying it on a good day.
From My Motor Parkway Story #3: Bob Valentine and the Williston Park Historic Marker
Great shot of the curve. Don Reilly riding his childhood bike on “Old Motor” was inquiring 3 weeks ago what it may have looked like in its glory. Great photo Howard.
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved:A View of the Motor Parkway looking West from the Officials' Stand/Press Box
Whoa! Almost missed this. Island Trees/Levittown, site of Grandstand/Press stand looking west. Newbridge bridge and hotel in the distance. 1908-10 VCR. Soon before 1908 race. Grandstand construction pic? Never seen this one before, awesome views!!! Where is everybody?
From Mystery Foto #46 Solved:A View of the Motor Parkway looking West from the Officials' Stand/Press Box
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