Vanderbilt Cup Races

The video is filled with Alex Tremulis’ legacy at Ford. The Gyron and the Volanté flying car both came from Tremulis’ Advanced Styling Studio. He contributed to the styling for both the Allegro and the Mustang. The Cougar II was styled in large part by McKinley Thompson, one of Tremulis’ hires into Ford and the first African-American designer to work in the industry. Tremulis’ 3/8 scale X-1000 makes a cameo appearance as well as his headrests on the DePaolo model. Renderings by Dom Orlando, another one of Tremulis’ protégés also appear in the film. Even though Tremulis had moved on from Ford over a year earlier, his influence on the future of Ford styling was evident in the decades that followed. When this film was made, Tremulis and Vince Gardner, Mustang III designer, were crafting the streamlined body for the Gyronaut X-1, the future World’s Fastest Motorcycle.

From Ford Styling Film:Two Automobiles That May Have Influenced the Design of the 1963 Mustang III

While at Lime Rock Park to see in person the last factory effort of the Ford GT I would be able to see I noted a car in the parking lot.  Seeing only half of it I thought a “Shelbyized” Mustang of some sort?  Then I saw the rear and thought, that looks like Howard’s 63 1/2 two seat Mustang.  Of course, then it was Bond…...and a license to kill on the race track property.  But the styling cues were interesting, kinda kicking myself for not taking a pic of the real.

From Ford Styling Film:Two Automobiles That May Have Influenced the Design of the 1963 Mustang III

- carved out just like the same bypass around the barrier in the photo

From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel

Dave - I believe with Brian the old photo most likely taken from on top of today’s Merchant Concourse bridge looking east, over the MSP, with the former Mitchell Gardens on the right side (south), home today to some industrial plant with a smoke stack.
I’ve noticed on some old aerials the possible, so-called dirt turn arounds, “shoulders” that occasionally appear. I’m not confident about every five miles or if they were designed by engineers. I believe they were carved out by motorist over time, likely scenic/favorite private spots to visit/rest along the roadside

From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel

Austin had two of these trophies in his basement at his home in Glen Cove. Neither on display, just a place to put/keep them . He never mentioned where he got them to me, the other one did have a name and date engraved on it, last name of the person on the other one that was engraved was Rouse, date was 1909. It most likely mentioned the race but I do not recall that as it was over 40 years ago. That trophy went to a friend in Utica , NY with the same last name , but we don’t know if they were related. Eventually it wound up in Ct. someplace with a relative of my friend in Utica after he passed away.  It is silver plate not nickel plate.
THANK YOU to all who commented and to Howard for posting this. It is one of my favorite items just from the standpoint of being a great sculpture, the proportions etc. Another item in my collection that this trophy sits under is a non automotive item but interesting none the less - a framed towel out of the Graff Zeppelin with an image of the Zeppelin in the center. Came from a fellow who flew on the Zeppelin numerous times and just liked the towel so took it home after a trip! Walt

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Fascinating facts Al, thank you!

From Documenting the Location of the 1908 Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Motor Parkway

I’m with Sam, the bulging tire/spokes configuration more resembles a car than motorcycle. What a toughie, and great homing into the model # Brian.

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Great story. Odd how author can make factual errors like this though. Strange.

Where did he even come up with the deeply wooded turn around spots every 5 miles? How could he just make this up? Was this originally planned but then never happened? I never heard about this. He specifically says engineers planned and did this.

Hey frank, I’m waiting for you to show me exactly where this Mitchell gardens picture is today! What’s taking you so long??

From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel

Great observation Brian! I knew something was odd/obvious about this photo but was unable to figure it out. YES, photo most likely taken from on top of one of the twin bridges! The elevation is about right and the parkway curving to the right down the road matches (~1000ft), towards the Meadow Brook Lodge and Bridge. As Howard stated this is a rare view of the stretch. Both bridges were taken down sometime in the ‘40s (late ‘40s?). Though the article was written in ‘51, the auto appears to be late ‘40s. Fantastic article, thanks Howard.

From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel

A correction to my comment: I previously felt that Walt’s trophy was awarded during the 1920’s. 2 of 3 of the trophies within The Henry Ford Collection are dated 1909 - bottom inscribed 3052, and dated 1933 - bottom inscribed 4164. Walt’s is inscribed 3088. So know I feel his winged 2 wheeled trophy was awarded from 1910 thru 1920.

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Easy, folks.  Those are wood-spoke wheels (complete with valve stems, no less!).  Not too many bicycles or motorcycles with wood wheels.  Sorry, Florence and Brian.  Of course, it could be just artistic license, but highly unlikely on such a detailed and expensive trophy.  Suggest focus should remain on autos.  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Howard, I sent to your email 2 links. This is an screenshot of trophies manufactured by The Homan Company, from 1 of the links I sent to your email. I find it curious that this winged trophy isn’t inscribed like the 3 from the Henry Ford Collection.

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

*Manufacturer of Trophy: Homan Manufacturing Company

*When, where was this company founded. Final year of business: Cincinnati, Ohio 1847 thru 1941. Henry Homan b. 1826 d. 1865 and Asa Flagg both managed this company until around 1851, Henry continued to manage until his death, still a young man. Asa was enlisted in the Civil War, and passed a few years after Henry. So maybe they were both casualties due to the war. The Homan family continued to operate the business until 1941. I read that the company manufactured items for World War 2 and may have provided the military until 1950.

*What vehicle race/event was this trophy awarded: I failed to locate. The Henry Ford Museum has 3 inscribed trophy/cups that the Homan Company provided. None of them are similar to Walt Godsen’s. Going by the item# on the bottom, I feel that the race that Walt’s trophy was awarded was during the 1920’s. I don’t see inscriptions around this winged trophy, where as the 3 in the museum do. For all we know, the trophy may have been awarded for a bicycle or motorcycle event.

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Howard, Some other info regarding the “Barnes Tract” On the invitation to the ground breaking ceremonies. You will note the quotation marks around Barnes. that"s because Barnes was not the owner of the 16 plus acres, he was the executor for the Samuel T. Downer estate who owned the tract. The Parkway paid $5100 for the parcel purchasing it in June 1907. Parkway officials selected this location for the ground breaking because it was the first section of the Parkway’s r.o.w. east of Merrick Ave. that was wider than 100 feet.  An interesting component of the “Barnes” tract purchase was that the Parkway did not directly acquire it but used an intermediate party. To keep land acquisition costs down, early on the Parkway hired individuals, realtors attorneys and others who would purchase properties in their names and then turn them over to the Parkway. With regard to the “Barnes Tract”, the property was first acquired by Jenny and Charles Shaw of Brooklyn who told Barnes they were looking to purchase a small farm on Long Island in anticipation of moving from Brooklyn when he retired. The Shaws were also instrumental in other purchases for the Parkway. Al.

From Documenting the Location of the 1908 Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Motor Parkway

Florence Ogg (former curator of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Musuem:

The photo of the trophy in your latest newsletter seems to be for a motorcycle.
race. Did Willie ever compete in any of those races? I remember seeing him on a motorcycle in a photo.
Thanks for the newsletter.
Florence

From Mystery Foto #29 Partially Solved: A Homan Motor Vehicle Trophy Owned by Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

I wonder what happened to the Mitchel Gardens stretch after 1953, when construction started on the Meadowbrook Parkway extension.

From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel

Great story even with the flaws. The car in the photo is a Kaiser or Frazer which were produced from 1947 to 1954. I would point out that the section running through Levittown was not small.
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Howard Kroplick

Mike, the original eight miles of the Motor Parkway was 22 feet wide.

From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel

My congratulations, too!
Thank you for your past efforts in preserving local history and best wishes for your efforts to restore the Roslyn grist mill.

From Patch.com, Roslyn Times, & Manhasset Times: Town Officials Celebrate Career Of Town Historian

O. K., Mark!  ‘50 Plymouth?  Sam, III

From Newsday, November 15, 1951: Motor Parkway Pioneered U.S. Auto Travel

The first automotive parkway was built by horses A friend’s family had a excavating company in Westbury in that era and he once said they were contracted for work on the parkway. Their yard was on Post Ave next to the RR on the north side

From Documenting the Location of the 1908 Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Motor Parkway