Vanderbilt Cup Races

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 exhibits for the Howard & Roz Kroplick Collection

Howard, able to attend the Old Westbury Garden event Sunday June 1?

From Upcoming car shows, concours and exhibits for the Howard & Roz Kroplick Collection

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

Keep up the good work!! Check with pros to maybe get some padding affixed onto those wheels for under the knee, so it doesn’t get rubbed sore when you get to ‘drive’ longer distances? Be well soon!

From Update Sunday, 6/29/2025: Rehab Update: Rehab at 90% Healing

ErnieM - your red circle is pointing towards Poppy Lane in Levittown. That’s just one block from the Motor Pkwy! I agree living in the community this close to the historic parkway was a child’s exploration adventure! I wonder how far on the abandoned Motor Pkwy you were able to reach before hitting a dead end? That would be most interesting!

From Mystery Friday Foto #12 Solved: A Levittown Aerial

1962 Ford Falcon - the Holman Moody Challenger III
Nassau, Bahamas
Driver: Marvin Panch
December 9, 1962
Finished 52nd after becoming disabled after 17 laps. 
#3 - Ferrari Dino 268 SP
#93 - Cooper Monaco T57 Climax
#106 - AC Cobra

From Mystery Friday Foto #13 Solved: The Holman Moody Challenger III on the Race Track

Holman Moody Challenger at the 1962 Bahamas Speed Week.
Driver Marvin Panch
DNF Blown engine
Cobra, Ferrari
I went to several of these races but probably not this one do not remember the rain

From Mystery Friday Foto #13 Solved: The Holman Moody Challenger III on the Race Track

Howard, 

All the best for a speedy recovery!
May you back on your “Wheels” at full speed son.

Mike Esposito (Pfizer/Roerig 1981-1983)

From Update Sunday, 6/29/2025: Rehab Update: Rehab at 90% Healing

Great article Greg, very informative writing.
  And thanks to the late Marty Himes for holding on to those pictures
  Hope you feel better, Howard
  Keep up the good work guys

From VanderbiltCupRaces.Com exclusive: Images of the 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Race from the Marty Himes Collection

Your shorty Ford leading Ferrari SWB.  Shelby Cobra on the right.  Ferrari 1961 Shark Nose Testa Rosa on left.  Looks like Grand Bahamas.

From Mystery Friday Foto #13 Solved: The Holman Moody Challenger III on the Race Track

That’s the 1962 Holman & Moody Ford Challenger III (in the center) being driven by Marvin Panch at the Nassau Trophy Race in Nassau, Bahamas on December 9, 1962. Panch did not finish due to overheating caused by a broken fan belt during the race. To the left of the Challenger III is a Dailu MKI with a 289 Cobra on the right. Behind the Cobra is a Ferrari. All of this info (and additional photos) were obtained from the attached article.

From Mystery Friday Foto #13 Solved: The Holman Moody Challenger III on the Race Track

The car was the Holman Moody Challenger III, the driver was Marvin Panch.
The race was held on December 9th, 1962.
Records indicate that Challenger III competed in five separate events as part of the 1962 9th Annual International Bahamas Speed Weeks, which was hosted at the 4.5mi (7.2km) Oakes Field course in Nassau, Bahamas. The car ran under in #26 livery with NASCAR veteran Marvin Panch at the wheel throughout. Results were mixed, beginning with a class win (5th place overall finish) in the 5-lap Preliminary Nassau Tourist Trophy on 2 December 1962, followed later the same day by an underwhelming 34th place in the 25-lap Nassau Tourist Trophy proper. Similarly, on 7 December 1962, Panch pushed the Challenger III to a 9th place finish in the 5-lap Preliminary Governor’s Trophy, but only 28th place of 42 cars in the 25-lap Governor’s Trophy proper [08].
Challenger III at the Nassau Trophy Race between a Dailu MKI and 289 Cobra, with a Ferrari tailing lose behind; Challenger III was leading the event until it suffered a mechanical failure [05]

From Mystery Friday Foto #13 Solved: The Holman Moody Challenger III on the Race Track

The center front car looks the same as Howard Kroplich’s eight-cylinder race car he purchased.  It was a very light weight race car, built in the 60’s or 70’s.

From Mystery Friday Foto #13 Solved: The Holman Moody Challenger III on the Race Track

Holman-Moody Challenger III at the 252-Mile Nassau Trophy race in the Bahamas on Dec. 9, 1962. Driver was Marvin Panch. The car finished 52nd out of 63. After only 17 laps out of 56, it had to drop out due to a snapped fan belt and overheated engine. No. 3 is a Ferrari Dino, and no. 106 is an AC Cobra.

From Mystery Friday Foto #13 Solved: The Holman Moody Challenger III on the Race Track

Get well soon. The good news is you can continue to write your wonderful newsletter.

From Update Sunday, 6/29/2025: Rehab Update: Rehab at 90% Healing

Wow, and I thought I was young when I first started driving a 1933 Pontiac at age eleven.  What a great story for an old car lover like me to read.

From Hagerty.com: Rob Ida Discovered DIY at Age 7 and Hasn’t Looked Back