Vanderbilt Cup Races

Yes Howard thanks for the update. And thanks Walt for your memories of them days. Thought the place would be demolish for some deluxe shopping plaza like the others in the area. I’ve been there in about 1957? me a preteen? a car nut even then, had saw the historic dilapidate Thomas Flyer on the display, saw it again at Harrah’s Museum in about 1977? restored complete with the emergency stuff and some fake mud splatter like on that winning NY to Paris run on some platform with a scenery behind. Nice memories!

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

Mark DeSantis

I am very sorry to hear this, he was a wonderful person and an awesome car guy. Please let us know the wonderful arrangements.

From A Tribute to Guy Frost (1934-2019)

Felice Rosenberg Makowsky

Wonderful man…I lived next door to Guy when I was in my 20’s. He was the best neighbor! I have many fond and fun memories… RIP my friend.

From A Tribute to Guy Frost (1934-2019)

Dear carol,
So wonderful that you remember Bill. I am sorry to say he passed away May 30 2016. I do remember your grandfather he was wonderful please feel free to call any time.
elise holloway palm beach gardens fl…Those were the days my friend!

From From the Grace Holloway Family Album: Photos of the Old Westbury Home Built by Driver Foxhall Keene

Linda Brickman

Guy served on the Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission from 1992 until 2015. His invaluable expertise in historic architecture as well as his humor were an important contribution to the Commission’s decision making. He was always available to be the Commission’s eyes in the field when there were intricate details or unexpected complications at a site in construction.

He will be missed.

Linda Stein Brickman, RA
Executive Secretary to the Commission

From A Tribute to Guy Frost (1934-2019)

Thanks for the update, Howard.  As an ex-Long Islander, I often think about the Museum where I was given a ride on the Shady Hollow (was that the name) fire truck as a 7-year-old.

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

And the tree-lined Motor Parkway in the back ascending towards the Stewart Ave bridge. Hoping there is captioning on this photo.

From Mystery Foto #12 Solved: #6 Hotchkiss driven by Elliot Shepard Jr. in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Unable to find information on this racer but the driver looks similar to Foxhall Keene, and more like Joe Tracy. Also a long shot with just few hints to go by, the location (looking north) looks alarmingly similar to the Motor Parkway ground breaking ceremony site in Bethpage (Central Park). Could this racer be pointing east on Motor Lane? There should be RR tracks at the center of that patch of grass but I don’t see it.

From Mystery Foto #12 Solved: #6 Hotchkiss driven by Elliot Shepard Jr. in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Looks like Louis Chevrolet in a strangely shrunken FIAT.  :·)  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #12 Solved: #6 Hotchkiss driven by Elliot Shepard Jr. in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

I’ve long since documented my many adventures with (and thanks to) Austie so I won’t repeat them here but what a great guy, what a grand museum, and what fab cars Who flew the chopper for the movie?  What ever happened to the Curved Dash Olds exposed to the elements above the entrance (was it real)?  Yeeks; the satellite view now, <http://sbiii.com/autopix/liam2019.jpg>, is just incredible - “cleaned up”, indeed!  Thanks again, Howard.  Sam, III

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

Elliot Shepard driving a Hotchkiss in the 1906 race.  He was a cousin of William K. Vanderbilt.
His car struck and killed a pedestrian during the race at Jericho Turnpike, which prompted Vanderbilt to begin construction of a closed racecourse (the LIMP).
This race marked the first time a checkered flag was used at the finish line.

From Mystery Foto #12 Solved: #6 Hotchkiss driven by Elliot Shepard Jr. in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Mystery Foto #12… The driver is Elliot Shepard, Jr. driving the 130 HP French Hotchkiss. He was competing in the 1906 Cup race. During the race the Hotchkiss hit and killed a spectator near Krug’s Hotel on Jericho turnpike. This accident led to an outcry for more safety at these races… and that there should no longer be racing on public roads. This situation giving birth to the idea of a road built specifically for autos and racing… thus leading to plans for creating the Long island Motor Parkway.

From Mystery Foto #12 Solved: #6 Hotchkiss driven by Elliot Shepard Jr. in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

The Tucker stories continues to amaze.  Great history and photos!

From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: Tucker 1043 -The Most Expensive Tucker '48 Ever Purchased at Auction

Sarge and I were shocked and grieved to read of Guy’s death. Our thoughts are with Donna and their children, even as we remember with pleasure the time we spent with the Frosts in Roslyn. I, too, was a protege of the Gerrys, and met Guy in the course of that in 1972. I don’t know how many house tours and restoration projects we shared, but I will never forget how Guy would often disagree with Roger over some point or detail - and he always lived to tell the tale!

From A Tribute to Guy Frost (1934-2019)

It was an honor and a real pleasure to know Guy Frost and have many conversations with him and enjoy and participate in the Centennial Celebrations of the Vanderbilt Cup Races. He was a true genuine enthusiast , a really special person. We are all so fortunate to have Guy among us in our common pursuit of long island history.

From A Tribute to Guy Frost (1934-2019)

I think that might be Elliot F. Shepard, Jr. in a French Hotchkiss racer which only competed in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race. The impact of this racer and driver is that he “impacted” with spectator Curt Gruner in Mineola causing his demise. This led to W. K. Vanderbilt developing plans for a private motor speedway and the building of the Long Island Motor Parkway.

From Mystery Foto #12 Solved: #6 Hotchkiss driven by Elliot Shepard Jr. in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

The floor in the big building looks to be in very nice shape…
I didn’t see the smaller building in the back in the vintage video. Anybody know when that structure was added to the property?
Didn’t this property sell for a hefty price due to its zip code? Much too expensive to just use it for storage , I assume….
Wondering what plans the owner has in store…..
Just some of my thoughts…..

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

Thank you for documenting and sharing these videos Howard. Must have been a sad day when the museum closed. Good to see that the buildings are utilized. Thanks for sharing your memories Walt.

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

This is great news about the Long Island Automotive Museum. Thank you Howard

From Sad News: The buildings of the Long Island Automotive Museum are gone

Sam, don’t think yourself as old, it’ll only make you older. Your work is so much appreciated now by many and for many more generations to come. Maintain Sam III speed as usual, and as fluent as you do. You’ll be glad you did. I wouldn’t have it any other way, as I’m sure many others wouldn’t as well.   

From The 1917 Curtiss Autoplane-An Aerial Limousine Built in Garden City