Vanderbilt Cup Races

Great presentation!

Ken Harris

From Updated: 1963 Mustang III Concept Show Car a Big Hit at the AACA Museum Exhibit Opening Reception

Chrysler
http://www.ddd.zero.four.four.rrr
Purpose: provide model, year and vehicle serial number
Hint: Fedco numbering system.
Believe it is from a 1930 Dodge 6 . Rational: according to page 32 of Fedco numbering system book, serial numbers D-001-WP thru D-257-PH were assigned to ‘30-‘31 Dodge 6

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: A Fedco Vehicle Number Plate for a 1926 Chrysler Model G70-6

1981
Michael Andretti’s year in Ford #55
Dave Weitzenheit confirms wreck in Pro-FF feature

From Video/Film of the Week: Classic Bridgehampton Racing

So sad that Long Island abandoned its venerated position in the world of motorsport. That track ignited my passion for all things auto!

From Video/Film of the Week: Classic Bridgehampton Racing

p.s. We “borrowed” the name and called it the Vanderbilt Challenge, along with a picture of the real cup from the Smithsonian.

From Video/Film of the Week: Classic Bridgehampton Racing

In my memory, it was 1980, but John is probably right with 1981. The Formula Ford field was huge, so their race ran last. It was a joint SCCA/EMRA event as part of a 2-weekend event we called “Speed Week”, the track’s 25th anniversary. The F Ford field didn’t even make it to turn 1 when 17 of them piled up, no one hurt except a wrist or two. One driver, Tony Andrews running in front got out of his car and said, “well, gentlemen, the party starts early.”

From Video/Film of the Week: Classic Bridgehampton Racing

John Clor, good friend, he’s come to our car shows on LI several times now. Always a lot of fun, he and his wife Jennie.
________________________________________________
Howard Kroplick

Leo, John Clor has the best sense of humor of any executive in the automobile industry.

From Updated: 1963 Mustang III Concept Show Car a Big Hit at the AACA Museum Exhibit Opening Reception

Tom—-I guess I assumed it was a bike because you said you were 16 years old so either the driving age was younger back then or you were breaking the law! And 80 mph on dead mans curve?? You can see why auto insurance is much higher for youngsters.

What I specifically want to know is: after you crossed over Central Ave, heading north, tell us as much as you can about specifically where the LIMP is in relation to 135. Construction of 135 seems to have started in 1959 and continued through the 60’s so maybe you had moved from Bethpage by that time? But I am very curious to know EXACTLY where the LIMP specifically ran from Central Ave heading north in relation to 135 until it makes the easterly turn into Bethpage Park.

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The Motor Parkway East of Clinton Road, Garden City in the 1950s

Was there a commemorative “re-run” of the course similar to the 50th anniversary of the 1904 VCR ? ( Oct 9 1954 )

From Walter McCarthy Collection: Ledyard Pfund's 1906/1907 Renault "Vanderbilt Racer"

I was going to sit this one out initially. But it kept me occupied on this rainy day.

*Auto Manufacturer that used this Badge:  Chrysler stands out quite clearly ( Walter P Chrysler ).

*Exact copy on the Badge:  W D 0 4 4 R   This is seen beneath CHRYSLER and his signature. I don’t know why the letters are in sets of 3 above and below.

*Badge purpose:  To identify the vehicle with a serial # ( W D 0 4 4 R ). According to what I read, Chrysler used a FEDCO SYSTEM from 1926 thru 1958 to serial code/identify every vehicle manufactured. It was difficult for thieves to alter or remove this badges. Chrysler began using the current VIN SYSTEM in 1959.

*Date of the badge when it was produced:  Chrysler Corporation came to be in 1923. Their FEDCO SYSTEM commenced in 1926. So I’ll say the badge was created in 1926. The badge copy doesn’t refer to a time period. Perhaps the 44th vehicle manufactured?

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: A Fedco Vehicle Number Plate for a 1926 Chrysler Model G70-6

Tom -

Did the toll house look like the photos in these links?

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/images/blog/2016-12-15_18-43-42_edited-1.jpg

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/the_motor_parkway_toll_collection_structures_11_bethpage_lodge

From The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures: #12 Bethpage Lodge Updated 3/13/2017

Hi Tom!

Thank you for sharing your experience on the parkway. This is wonderful to hear! As you approached the toll house (Bethpage Lodge?), was it located on the left side of the road? Is this where you exited off the parkway? There should have been another bridge immediately after the toll house. Was it closed?  Thanks Tom.

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The Motor Parkway East of Clinton Road, Garden City in the 1950s

This was a badge used by Chrysler from 1926-1930 and similar badges were used by other manufacturers.  It was welded to the dashboard and was established as an identification to deter auto theft.  The letters converted to numbers, specific to that auto.

W-P-C-H-R-Y-S-L-E-D
0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9

The clue would be “FEDCO” on the bottom of the badge.

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: A Fedco Vehicle Number Plate for a 1926 Chrysler Model G70-6

Tom MacCallum

hello howard….........tom mac callum here..in 1953 and54,55 I did not ride my bike, I drove my 1950 mercury on the motor parkway… the bridges over stewart ave and over central ave where still in place and driveable. I would get on at the stewart bridge and could drlve east all together about a mile and half.. first 1/3 of a mile was straight then a wonderful deep curve to the left ..dead mans curve….took it at 80 easy…. then north but going a little east….them coming to the big bridge up and over central ave and the LIRR. ..both under the bridge at the same place…..made an X then down the other side….went as far as we could but finally the brush stopped us.one time we got thru the brush…......the parkway mostly straight but still a bit to the east way off in the distance there was a building like a toll house not sure at all….not a single picture…...its all in my head..i will answer any question if I know….......otherwise fagetaboutit.  hope I helped some. tom mac callum

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The Motor Parkway East of Clinton Road, Garden City in the 1950s

  Chrysler vintage metal security identification tag.

    ( possible predates the VIN plate//tag )

From Mystery Foto #20 Solved: A Fedco Vehicle Number Plate for a 1926 Chrysler Model G70-6

I was at this race.  1981.  Newman finished 2nd to Ken Slagle in a TR8.  What a great race track!

From Video/Film of the Week: Classic Bridgehampton Racing

Thank you Howard for presenting this image and providing before and after scenes. Knew that most would recognize this area, but it wasn’t so much about having all scratching your heads. I was quite surprised to come across such clear/close up images of the LIMP. Yes Art, the Heritage website is excellent! Have to visit this area soon being that a clearing up has been done recently. I agree, Dave. If the old pavement is still solid, leave it alone!

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The Motor Parkway East of Clinton Road, Garden City in the 1950s

Awesome pic btw Brian. It’s amazing that you can still go to this exact location. I love the old original road spots. Nothing beats it. New bike paths? No thanks. I like original historical remnants. Clean that up for preservation purposes, but don’t pour any new road on top of the original! That’s my opinion.

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The Motor Parkway East of Clinton Road, Garden City in the 1950s

Thomas, you might be exactly the person we have been searching for. You grew up in Bethpage and rode your bike along the LIMP is the 50s. Can you tell us, do you have memories or even better possibly any photos of the LIMP aim relation to the construction of the Seaford Oyster Bay—135??

Any information / memories you have would be appreciated. Some of us believe the LIMP ran just west of 135, others believe it rode directly on or even slightly east at some points. What are your memories??

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The Motor Parkway East of Clinton Road, Garden City in the 1950s

Tricky one. Three possibilities; Great Neck looking east, Garden City looking west, and Bethpage looking east. The scenery looks like the Great Neck Lodge where W.C. Field’s car chase ended in “Sally of the Sawdust,” but those cement posts are more lined up for the Bethpage’s Lodge entrance. I say Great Neck looking east. The hedges at center is where the wooden board fence was set up for Field’s to drive through. Hmmm, but I don’t recall power lines by Great Neck but Bethpage does have ‘em. I’ll go with Great Neck for this one. Looking forward to the answer and database location. Nice find Brian.

From Mystery Foto #19 Solved: The Motor Parkway East of Clinton Road, Garden City in the 1950s