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.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
From Jan H:
Just great. Can’t wait to see it!!!
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Tucker 1044 at the RM Sotheby's Auction in Scottsdale
That was the Winton Housecar - a very cool thing to have survived.
http://jamesmeltonmusicalcareerantiquecars.blogspot.com/2009/11/1917-winton-housecar.html
There’s a brief article about it in the Antique Automobile, May-June 1956. About 1918, E. J. Fithian built it on a stretched 1917 Winton chassis, for use in his campaign for PA governor. Newspapers in the Midwest carried stories on his family’s western vacation in the car in 1921. He apparently stopped using it in 1926, and Melton bought it in 1954, completely restoring it.
Curiously, E. J. Fithian and Alexander Winton both received patents for engine governors on May 30, 1899.
From The Melton Museum of Norwalk, Connecticut (1948-1953)
Congratulations Howard! I love Tuckers and I agree with Gary. Restore it to the original green color. Can’t wait to see it here on Long Island. Enjoy!
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From Howard Kroplick:
Mike, that sure makes sense. The Tucker Automobile Club of America’s website provides a gallery of the Tuckers including their original and current colors.
http://tuckerclub.org/tucker-gallery/
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Tucker 1044 at the RM Sotheby's Auction in Scottsdale
You certainly know how to put together a collection.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Tucker 1044 at the RM Sotheby's Auction in Scottsdale
Congratulations Howard, one of my favorite cars. It’s brilliance really didn’t sink in until I saw my first one in person. As to the “continue driving” vs.“concours-quality” question; well let’s just say that I suspect that you will do both. My only question is: would you retain the Cord transmission in a concours-quality build?
Bob
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From Howard Kroplick:
Bob, I will take some time to research the next steps for the restoration including the transmission.
Wikipedia does a good job summarizing the features of Tucker automobiles :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucker_48
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Tucker 1044 at the RM Sotheby's Auction in Scottsdale
1973, Thailand. With 8 cameras rolling and ambulance crews, divers and cranes standing by British stuntman Loren “Bumps” Willard drove an AMC Hornet at a wooden ramp at 40mph executing one of the most daring and memorable stunts in cinematic history. A 270 degree barrel roll across a narrow river. Willard was paid £30,000 for pulling off the stunt in a single take.
The US racing driver Jay Milligan conceived the stunt and even performed it in 1972 at the Houston Astrodome in an AMC Javelin, christening the stunt ‘The Astro Spiral Jump”. Milligan contacted the Bond producers with the stunt who promptly protected it preventing it appearing in any other preceding films. Milligan was the stunt driver in the AMC Hornet for the other scenes of the film but was called away from filming before performing the Corkscrew Jump. 15 AMC Hornets were used in filming with 2 set aside for the Corkscrew Jump.
The Stunt is credited with being the first to be computer simulated. The software had been developed by Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory for use in a road safety applications. More information can be found on this here.
The movie was The Man With The Golden Gun (James Bond) and the feat was labeled “The Corkscrew Jump”.
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Greatest Car Stunt in Film History in the "Man With the Golden Gun"
Wow! I’m betting nearly every car collector dreams of owning a Tucker. I noted that it was described at the auction as… “A recent “barn find,” unseen for 33 years” Wonderful that you are bringing it back to life for all of us to see and hear.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Tucker 1044 at the RM Sotheby's Auction in Scottsdale
Howard, congratulations on winning the bid for the Tucker 48, looking forward to seeing the rare barn find at the upcoming spring LI car shows.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Tucker 1044 at the RM Sotheby's Auction in Scottsdale
Howard,
Awesome! Really enjoyed reading the history of this great car. What a surprise ending. Can’t wait to see it.
Mark
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Tucker 1044 at the RM Sotheby's Auction in Scottsdale
Great News
It’s wonderful to have a Tucker on Long Island. It’s one of my favorite classics.
Good luck with it. Howard
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Tucker 1044 at the RM Sotheby's Auction in Scottsdale
Whee! Kirk Gibson? HA! That’s clearly Rudolph Hess at the wheel in ‘42/49! Sorry, Jr. Steve, bring up the Review-Star again and hit Print/Screen; I’ll try it later. Great work, Howard. Sam, III<http://sbiii.com/dudgeon.html>
From The Dudgeon "Red Devil" Steam Wagon Legal Case Updated: 1/20/2017
I would think Austie and James Melton were good friends, they had the funds to pick up all the great car in this area. Austie pulled an ALCO Touring car out of Ridgefield. Ken Purdy lived in Wilton, Briggs Cunningham was in Greens Farms. There was a restaurant at the Melton Collection in Norwalk, Mom and Dad said they went there a few times before I was born. Bob
From The Melton Museum of Norwalk, Connecticut (1948-1953)
Howard,
Congrats!!! Another unique car added to your “stable” of unique vehicles - what a fortunate purchase for us also, as now a Tucker will be here on Long Island where it will be shared with the public to also enjoy. Based on your photos, I think my favorite aspect of the car is the Tucker radio. My only question is why would someone repaint it root beer brown? I would think the original green would have been more appealing, of course it was the 70’s. Does this older “restoration” lessen its collector value or is it just that rare?
Gary
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Howard Kroplick:
Gary, you make an excellent point. Brown was likely a favorite color of the Tucker’s owner in 1972. Similar to the auction for Chrysler’s Chrysler, the peeling paint and color probably hurt the auction price - a relatively simple fix down the road.
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Tucker 1044 at the RM Sotheby's Auction in Scottsdale
Hi Howard:
Congrats to you on this great acquisition and enjoy !!!!! Hope to see it in
person.
Cheers !!!! Ron Ridolph
From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The Tucker 1044 at the RM Sotheby's Auction in Scottsdale
That stunt was from the 1974 James Bond film “The Man With The Golden Gun” starring Roger Moore, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Maud Adams, and Herve Villechaize. The stunt was filmed in Thailand and used an AMC Hornet Sportabout Hatchback Coupe. The driver was Loren “Bumps” Willert who is often incorrectly identified as “Bumps” Willard. It was the first movie stunt that was computer modeled before filming and it was accomplished in one take. The major criticism was the addition of a slide whistle sound effect during the jump. The stunt was first performed using an AMC Javelin in 1972 at the Houston Astrodome during an automobile thrill show and was officially called the “Astro Spiral Jump”. It was performed a few times after 1974 by Jimmy Canton, who was a friend of “Bumps” Willert, as part of Jay Milligan’s “Hell Drivers” stunt shows.
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Greatest Car Stunt in Film History in the "Man With the Golden Gun"
I’m going to revise my earlier answer to the last question and say it was performed after the movie as documentation by its originator says it toured as stunt before and after the movie.
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Greatest Car Stunt in Film History in the "Man With the Golden Gun"
In which film did this car stunt appear? Provide the film’s release year and its major stars. : 1974 James Bond film “The Man with Golden Gun” starring Roger Moore with Christopher Lee, Pritt Ekland, Maude Adams and Herve Villechaize.
Some movie clips of the stunt.
http://jalopnik.com/the-james-bond-corkscrew-jump-was-the-first-computer-mo-1711459704
https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s—MaYGl9Ol—/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/1299822428119295528.gif
Short versions
https://youtu.be/fzCIbhLUUA0
https://youtu.be/trJocyjCBzo
Long version
https://youtu.be/sCU8fVgGsPg
Where was this stunt filmed? Thailand
Identify the manufacturer of the car and its model. AMC Hornet X
What was the name of the stunt driver? Bumps Willard
Why is this car stunt credited with making cinematic history? First automotive movie stunt extensively using computer modeling. Also was successful on the scene’s first take (thankfully).
What was the major criticism of the car stunt as seen in the film? The whistle heard during the stunt.
When and where was this car stunt first performed prior to appearing in the film?
The stunt was patented in 1972 (patent documentation being sent to Howard along with more). It was first performed that year in the Houston Astrodome.
What was the official name of the stunt? “Astro Spiral Jump”
Has this car stunt ever been successfully replicated? No
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Greatest Car Stunt in Film History in the "Man With the Golden Gun"
Mystery Foto #3…This stunt appeared in the Bond film called “The Man With the Golden Gun” Released in 1974, starring Roger Moore, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland and Maud Adams. The stunt was filmed in Thailand. The car was an AMC Hornet driven by Loren “Bumps” Willard. The cinematic history regarding this stunt was… First car stunt to be computer modeled or simulated so that could get it right without killing someone. The criticism of the car stunt was a rather poor, hokey sound track.
Stunt first performed prior to appearing in the film was 1972 in Houston Astrodome. The stunt name was “Astro Spiral Jump” or “Bond Corkscrew”.
This stunt was replicated by Hollywood stuntman Brent Fletcher. He accelerated his buggy at a scientifically pre-planned speed of 54 mph. He sped into a split-level ramp which enabled the car to “corkscrew” through the air at a rate of 230 degrees per second.
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Greatest Car Stunt in Film History in the "Man With the Golden Gun"
This is an easy one.
This is from the Dukes of Hazzard, filmed in Hazzard County, GA. The car is a 1969 Dodge Charger was known as the “General Lee” and was owned by cousins Bo and Luke Duke. They were probably being chased by Sheriff Riscoe Pico Train who was supervised by Boss Hogg. This must have been a trailer of some sort because the “01” is not on the car door yet nor is the confederate federate flag on the roof. What a great show!
Ok obviously this is not correct but hopefully brought back some memories!
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Greatest Car Stunt in Film History in the "Man With the Golden Gun"
.....and lastly…...In 2008, the British automotive show, Top Gear, tried to recreate the cork-screw jump but failed to pull it off. Top Gear claims the stunt has never been successfully recreated.
From Mystery Foto #3 Solved: The Greatest Car Stunt in Film History in the "Man With the Golden Gun"
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