Vanderbilt Cup Races

You guys picked a great day to explore. Crisp images before the start of spring growth. How about spanning a pedestrian/bike type bridge over the LIRR again, I know that’s a pipe dream.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #6 East Williston

This is an awesome stretch of LIMP. This is a great spot to bring “first timers” so they can get the vibe of the motor parkway.

The LIMP in general is the most under appreciated landmark, not just in New York, maybe in the entire country! Sometimes you pass things and read about it and “ok that’s pretty cool” and you move on.

When you are made aware of the history of the LIMP and then couple that with the fact that so much of it STILL REMAINS in tact in its original form despite being in Long Island, home of 3 million people is truly amazing. It’s really hard to believe it’s not more recognized. Nobody I meet or talk to is aware of it.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #6 East Williston

Nice pictures and video! I remember being part of a cleanup of this area with Howard and a nice crew of volunteers several years ago. It looks in excellent condition. It also looks like you went out there on a dry day. That’s been hard to do lately!

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #6 East Williston

Good Luck on your move South… the Merchant Marine Academy students will miss you… If you are still up in NY on May 11 we will make you the honorary judge at our car show!! bring the Olds! 
Pete Kahl

From John Cuocco Heads to Florida After 19 Years of Great Work

I spoke to someone at the 5W office on the 32 floor and was told that the painting is not on that floor.

From Update: The Hunt for the "Godfather" Train Painting is Over

This racer was out of my scope but great looking 1904 replica with what seems semi-pneumatic tires with no air required. I don’t see the air valves. Reminds me of a few bikes back in my childhood, and quite possible the 1904 standards. This likely one of the earliest 4 cyl racers

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Peerless Green Dragon at the 2004 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance

Being that Greg Anderson has been on the hunt for this painting for many years, I’ll assume that he’s visited the Helmsley Building. The 32nd floor is occupied by - 5W Public Relations LLC. Wonder if the Boardroom still exists, however renovated. I’d be shocked if the painting is actually found.

From Update: The Hunt for the "Godfather" Train Painting is Over

Jimmy, Jerry, Bob: great to hear these stories/memories. You MUST have some pics! Dig through the old boxes and try and dig something up. I love the “then and now” of the LIMP.

Maureen: Howard (and his favorite co-author Al) already have the best LIMP book. Pick that one up! I can definitely help him expand his “then and now” section. He knows where to find me if he needs me!

I’ve met so many people that grew up close, sometimes VERY close to the LIMP and NOT ONE of them knew what it was.

The LIMP in general is the most under appreciated “cool” landmark. Sometimes you pass things and read about it and “ok that’s pretty cool” but when you read about, hear about the history of the LIMP and couple that with the fact that so much of it STILL REMAINS in tact is amazing. It’s hard to believe it’s not more recognized or appreciated.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #5 Williston Park

Peter Helck had a father who was an artist? who did the train mural. Any enlighten on this??
————————-
Howard Kroplick

Tim Helck is the grandson of Peter Helck and the son of Jerry Helck.

From Update: The Hunt for the "Godfather" Train Painting is Over

Dave, you did it again…part of my life is in this , same as last week.  Two Streets parallel LIMP.  On the North, Foxcroft Rd, (where my aunt live and biked east from the eastern cul de sac.  On the south side is Bengeyfield Dr,  which when I was a boy in the 50"s and early 60’ I wasn’t aware of it.  Years later,  as a letter carrier in Williston Park I became familiar with it.  Your next week’s chapter will again spark another memory.  Thanks for LIMP’s “this is your life!”

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #5 Williston Park

When I was a kid I followed the track on my bike right over that bridge over the railroad tracks. I went to Ally Pond Part to the west after figuring out that the road turned in the golf course.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #5 Williston Park

Lots of controversy about this car. Supposedly created in modern times from an original road car to replicate a 1904 Peerless Green Dragon race car once driven by Barney Oldfield. Many modern owners with the car now in the Price museum in Utah. This car illustrates the problems associated with establishing provenance with restored racing cars and racing motorcycles.

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Peerless Green Dragon at the 2004 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance

Dave: Always enjoy your pictures.  Do I smell a coffee table picture book in the future?  Count me in; I’ll buy one.  Maybe Howard could work with you, Frank Femenias (map overlays) and have a book created as a fund raiser for the LIMP preservation group.
Frank: You were right back awhile ago when we emailed and I told you I first lived at 108 Campbell Ave. in Williston Park.  Now looking at the map, I was just a few blocks away from the LIMP.  I could even have some LIMP in my DNA. 😊
Thanks to all with the LIMP dedication.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #5 Williston Park

Yesterday I watched the RM Sotheby’s sale of the Guyton Collection .There were several Helck pieces of note including the very haunting “NIGHT RIDER ” I consider to be one of his finest pieces which sold for 40k plus fees ,a bargain.Now wish I had registered,all can be seen online.

From Update: The Hunt for the "Godfather" Train Painting is Over

Thumbs up again guys….Thanks for your effort….

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #5 Williston Park

Dear Howard: The car is one of at least 2 peerless aka Green Dragons. The first was built in 1903 by Moors for Peerless. At 17 liters, 80hp , 3 speed transmission, it was a formidable car but 1200 lbs overweight for the Gordon Bennett Race.  In 1904 it was driven by Joe Tracy. In 1908 by Ralph DePalma at Minn. State Fair. Barney Oldfield became its primary driver and rarely lost a race. I had the rare privilege to ride as navigator in the car you have pictured on a 52 mile Horseless Carriage Tour in 1999. At that time the car was owned by Richard King of Redding, CT who kindly invited me to ride in his car.  I wrote an article about my ride which appeared in the Horseless Carriage Gazette issue Jan/Feb 2000. It was called Biondi’s Run.  Don Meyer of New Jersey was the driver. Holding on for dear life, choking on the clouds of blue exhaust, deaf from the roar of the engine as we careened around country roads and towns,  it was the most wonderful experience!  To ride at speed in one of these monsters is the thrill of a lifetime and one definitely comes to quickly understand the perils of early
racing. At the time I rode in it the car sported the name Peerless in large red type on the hood. I would guess that this is not the original car but perhaps the second one built after Barney wrecked #1.  Thanks Dick for a really great memory of that ride.

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Peerless Green Dragon at the 2004 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance

Howard

One of the Peerless Green Dragons. Most famous pilot was Barney Oldfield. Picture was taken at Greenwich Concours some years back. Stanley ion the background was originally the property of Carlton Stanley. Current owner had got fish some parts of it out of the pond it was ditched in.

The Peerless was living in Connecticut at the time, in a well stocked garage. I remember it being driven to the Calf Pasture Beach Show one year through downtown Norwalk. Yes, it does belch flames through the exhaust stacks.

Keep up the good work!

John Harley

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Peerless Green Dragon at the 2004 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance

Sam and Dave always seem to top themselves.  These latest discoveries and their pictures are terrific!

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #5 Williston Park

Wow!  This one doesn’t look even VAGUELY familiar but I know where it was taken - directly in front of the cutest little Bugatti model or pedal car!  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #18 Solved: The Peerless Green Dragon at the 2004 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance

I grew up in Albertson in the 60’s, we were all over the LIMP, from the Old Courthouse Bridge to the stretch along side Harkness Boy Scout Camp to the RR Trestle. I had friends on Williams St. who had it in their backyard, one family put a basketball hoop in. I remember Albertson Fire Dept. Slo-pokes using the Pool road for tournament practice. I can’t imagine the speeds the racers got up to on the straightaway from Willis Ave., going over the RR Trestle, then over Roslyn Rd. just to have to hit the brakes to make that Right turn before Glen Cove Rd.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent 2019 Vanderbilt Day”- #5 Williston Park