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
The photo with the International Cub tractor has to be early post war. The Cubs came out in 1947 and were unchanged through 1953.
From Update: VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Memories of Living in the Huntington Lodge in Melville
Maureen Standish….So wonderful of you to provide Howard with an amazing amount of info about your childhood home/life and your memories of the LIMP. VERY RARE that such detailed account of the Huntington Lodge has become available. Thank you on top of Thank you!
Your elementary school Sweet Hollow brought out the searcher in me. I came across a Sweet Hollow School on a 1956 Topographical Map that was ( or still is? ) on the north side of Duryea Rd, east of Broad Hollow Rd. There’s also a P.S. marked on my 1994 Hagstrom Atlas south of Duryea Rd. But I believe this school isn’t there anymore ( now PSEG LI property. ) I’ve been employed with LILCO since 1987. PSEG LI is the present and 4th electric utility to replace LILCO. My last thought was a school that was located further east between the LIMP “farmway” bridge and Duryea Rd ( District #15 ). I’m sticking with the school I first mentioned. Many Thanks Again, Brian
From Update: VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Memories of Living in the Huntington Lodge in Melville
Hi Dave & Sam! Knowing that your car was waiting for you 2 in Dix Hills, this location was close to your journey’s end from Stewart Ave. Sam is taking in some rays on the top of the north abutment ( Ezekiel Smith Farm Way Bridge ) in Melville. Built in 1910.
Dave….When you have a chance, take a look back at your 4/25/2017 Blog Central Ave to Caroline St. In the comments section, a Brian other than myself stated that the concrete base N/O Central Ave & LIRR was an older,smaller transmission tower that was cut down. This was my theory, too. Maybe he has memories of the Rte. 135 construction, too?
From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: Sammy on the Ezekiel Smith Farmway Bridge in Melville
If anyone gets the year it was built wrong they should get their LIMP membership suspended!
From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: Sammy on the Ezekiel Smith Farmway Bridge in Melville
On the abutment of the Ezekiel Smith farmway bridge just east of Route 110 in Melville between 110 and Ruland Road. The 1910 construction date still stamped into concrete.
From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: Sammy on the Ezekiel Smith Farmway Bridge in Melville
Melville, Maxess Road Bridge abutment built 1910, had it been leveled since the photo was taken ?
From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: Sammy on the Ezekiel Smith Farmway Bridge in Melville
Ezekiel Smith Farmway Bridge, just west of Maxess Road in Melville. Built in 1910.
From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: Sammy on the Ezekiel Smith Farmway Bridge in Melville
Melville - LIMP just east of Maxess RD
Ezekiel Smith farmway bridge remnants, built 1910
From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: Sammy on the Ezekiel Smith Farmway Bridge in Melville
When were the swimming pool and tennis courts added to the Aviation Country Club? The earliest photo I’ve seen of those are from 1939. Does documentation exist stating if the pool and tennis courts were built at the same time as the first hangar?
From Then & Now: The Long Island Aviation Country Club on the Motor Parkway
The walk over bridge abutment, near Ruland Rd in Melville.
From Mystery Foto #11 Solved: Sammy on the Ezekiel Smith Farmway Bridge in Melville
Sign me up! Looks like a great auto.
From Updated VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: A Rare 1947 Tucker Franchise Plan Sales Tool
Doreen:
Great Job!
Hi Howard,
Thank you so much for your wonderful lecture on Sunday!! Rave reviews from all!
I really enjoyed working with you and hope our paths cross again soon. Keep up the good work on behalf of abused children… they need all the advocacy and money that we can muster.
Again, thanks so much. And thanks to Rosalind for the pictures and technical back up! It helped a great deal.
Sincerely,
Doreen
From Highlights From the Westhampton Historical Society Vanderbilt Cup Races Presentation
That 1909 pin is pretty cool. Probably not many of those things lying around.
Just curious…..the picture w the pin vendor: any idea where that is?
___________________________________________________
Howard Kroplick
Dave, it looks like the Motor Parkway..likely near the grandstand.
From Highlights From the Westhampton Historical Society Vanderbilt Cup Races Presentation
Florence Ogg:
I found a reference to Frank.G.Webb in the Automobile Journal 1912(Vol.33 p.25)
of a Frank G Webb entering a competition sponsored by the Manufacturers Contest Association.
Hope it helps in your search
Florence
From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1909 Long Island Automobile Club Membership Cup
Mystery Foto # 10… The trophy is the Long Island Automobile Club Membership Cup as as presented by Frank Webb. Frank Webb was president of the Long Island Automobile club. Frank’s connection to the Vanderbilt cup races was Vice Chairman of the 1908 race.
As for the cup winner, Allen C. Alderman, based on my research he is “Persona Non Founda” No mention of him in any of my books or the Internet research.
I will go out on a limb and say the race car engraved on the cup is none other than the Black Beast ALCO #8
From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1909 Long Island Automobile Club Membership Cup
At the 1909 Long Island Auto Club dinner outgoing president Frank Webb presented this trophy to Allen Alderman for being the top recruiter. Frank Webb was an official at the 1908 LIMP Sweepstakes.
From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1909 Long Island Automobile Club Membership Cup
What I really want to know is, when it’s done, a description of the driving experience VS what it was BEFORE all the work. Basically, this will be “as new”
From Tucker 1044 Conservation Report III: Putting 1044 Back Together
I think the trophy was sponsored by the Long Island Automobile Club and presented to Allen C. Alderman because he (as membership chairman?) had “secured the greatest number of new members” to join the club. It looks like the year 1909 is on the trophy and Alderman went on to become club president the following year. Frank G. Webb had been the vice chairman of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Commission (and now president of the L.I.A.C.) so maybe he somehow managed to get the 1909 V.C. R. winner, the Black Beast, engraved onto the trophy.
From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1909 Long Island Automobile Club Membership Cup
Anxious to see the finished car. Perhaps you can give all of us an advance notice of #1044’s public debut. My son and I could possibly fly out to see it and meet you depending on his schedule.
____________________________________________
Howard Kroplick
Jeff, the debut will likely be announced in early summer on this website.
From Tucker 1044 Conservation Report III: Putting 1044 Back Together
The car could be Vincenzo Lancia’s # Fiat, steering dramatically to avoid Christie, while the mechanician is pointing in the direction of the incoming car.
The membership cup was given to Alderman for “having secured ninety-nine new members” for the New York State Automobile Association, of which he was the incoming President.
Webb was one of the officials of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Vanderbilt Cup Commission.
From Mystery Foto #10 Solved: A 1909 Long Island Automobile Club Membership Cup
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