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.
All Content © 2026 VanderbiltCupRaces.com
Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
Called Dan and I will attend and bring my 1966 Buick Wildcat
From Producer Dan Bonaventre is looking for 6-8 classic cars for a network challenge show
Dan Bonaventre has confirmed the date as Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Dan: “Just wanted to say thank you again. I’ve received more than a few inquiries and everyone has been so wonderful and generous with their time.”
From Producer Dan Bonaventre is looking for 6-8 classic cars for a network challenge show
Chris, good catch! I will confirm the date with Dan Bonaventre. Howard
From Producer Dan Bonaventre is looking for 6-8 classic cars for a network challenge show
Wednesday, April 19, 2025 is a Saturday….
From Producer Dan Bonaventre is looking for 6-8 classic cars for a network challenge show
April 29th is a Saturday
From Producer Dan Bonaventre is looking for 6-8 classic cars for a network challenge show
That’s a 1935 Duesenberg Model SSJ that was once regularly driven by Gary Cooper. It’s special because it is one of only two ever built, has had just two owners since 1949 (Briggs Cunningham & Miles Collier), and remains in basically unrestored condition. It sold for 22 million dollars at the Gooding & Co. auction in Pebble Beach in 2018. The other SSJ was once owned by Clark Gable.
From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: A Special Duesenberg SSJ
Mark, as seen above, this year we will be at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance.
Enjoy,
Howard
From Upcoming car shows, concours and exhibit for the Howard & Roz Kroplick Collection: Updated 4/8/26
Paul, I don’t know of any of the concours that pay for transport.
Enjoy,
Howard
From Upcoming car shows, concours and exhibit for the Howard & Roz Kroplick Collection: Updated 4/8/26
Hi, Howard:
Would any of the car shows you promote pay for flatbed transport of the Batmobile? Are there any shows in NJ? Cosplay characters are available for a fee as well.
Thanks,
Paul
From Upcoming car shows, concours and exhibit for the Howard & Roz Kroplick Collection: Updated 4/8/26
Howard,
Clark Gable’s Duesenberg SSJ. One of two made. Miles Collier had it in his Rev’s Institute collection.
You have company. I just ruptured my Achille’s tendon as well . Long road to recovery.
Graham
From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: A Special Duesenberg SSJ
All I can say is the car is a Duesenberg. Other than that I can’t come up with any other answers. Rog
From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: A Special Duesenberg SSJ
Peter, that’s all the information that I have. Suggest calling Dan at 917-273-7010.
Enjoy,
Howard
From Producer Dan Bonaventre is looking for 6-8 classic cars for a network challenge show
Interested just looking for some more details just pics? And how long?
From Producer Dan Bonaventre is looking for 6-8 classic cars for a network challenge show
As always, this compilation of old stories is a treat. I’m curious about the old map near the article about 3 1/2 acres for sale in East Williston that shows one Carl G. Fisher as a landowner. Fisher was an interesting guy, starting (according to Wikipedia) by patenting and selling early acetylene headlights, developing Miami Beach and Montauk, among other things. He also developed a small community here in my home town, Port Washington (Bayview Colony). But I wasn’t aware that he had anything to do with East Williston. Anybody know anything about this property?
Thanks!
From Kleiner's Korner: 100 Years Ago on the Motor Parkway (March, April 1925)
There were 2 short wheelbase SSJ Duesenbergs built - most claim in 1935. The tu-tone gray one was first bought by Gary Cooper. It started out being Tan which Gary’s wife did not like. This car was in the Briggs Cunningham collection for many years. When it was sold to the Collier Rev Institute they displayed it for several years. Then they did some financial re-organization and sold it for $22 million. The red and silver one some claim Clark Gable owned it or maybe Tyrone Powers. Gable had a lot of publicity photo shot with cars did not own. A friend who was on the board of the ACD Museum told me he drove it and the body work was slightly different than the Cooper SSJ. In the 1980s several replicas were built using Dodge truck chassis and Bill Honda replica sheet metal. Some were painted red and silver like the real one. These cars are very good copies except they have hubcaps rather than wire wheels.
From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: A Special Duesenberg SSJ
I just notice busy for May 31 and June1 weekend at the Greenwich event.
From Upcoming car shows, concours and exhibit for the Howard & Roz Kroplick Collection: Updated 4/8/26
Howard, able to attend the Old Westbury Garden event Sunday June 1?
From Upcoming car shows, concours and exhibit for the Howard & Roz Kroplick Collection: Updated 4/8/26
Looks like a 1930-31 Dusenberg model J disappearing roof. Maybe it was owned by Al Capone. Just a guess though.
From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: A Special Duesenberg SSJ
Hope you’ll be able attend the upcoming Old Westbury Garden event June 1? Just have a comfortable folding chair, so us groupies can come over to fuss over you! Maybe having a battery power scooter to view the field?
From Update Sunday, 6/29/2025: Rehab Update: Rehab at 90% Healing
Only two 1936 Duesenberg SSJ Speedsters were built: one for Clark Gable, the other for Gary Cooper. Riding a 125-inch wheelbase, 17-1/2 inches shorter than a standard Duesie, the SSJ Speedsters sported a lightweight open-roadster body produced by Central Manufacturing Company, an Auburn subsidiary in Connersville, Indiana.
Features of these 1936 models included the older-style open fenders, 17-inch wheels, and Duesenberg’s famed vertical-bar grille. The cockpit was cozy for two, but the dashboard carried comprehensive instrumentation, even a tachometer and an altimeter gauge. Note the five chrome strips on the rear fenders, a complement to the trim on the running boards
The heart of the SSJ Speedster was the 420-cubic-inch straight eight engine. It featured dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. With the centrifugal-type supercharger, 320 horsepower was on tap.
In August 2018, one Duesenberg SSJ was auctioned for a staggering $22 million, making it the most expensive prewar car ever sold at an American auction.
From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: A Special Duesenberg SSJ
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