Vanderbilt Cup Races

My grandmother was Jane Denellelly one of the children of John and Katherine Dennelley who married Michael J. Ryan, Boston Marathon winner in 1912 and Olympic track coach and participant in the 1920s through 1940s .  So happy to read about my family history.

From Then & Now: Maple Cottage- The Locomobile Headquarters for the 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races

I remember going to the Museum on a class trip when I was in Elementary School. After that visit I was hooked on old cars and I am still today. I wish I still had the post cards of the different cars from the Museum.

From Walter McCarthy Collection: The Opening Year of the Long Island Automotive Museum (1948)

Too funny!  I was just about to comment on the LI Auto Museum thread that I caught glimpses of this car, in the chopper views of the parade!  It’s macabre cartoonist Charles Addams and one of his three wives, the first two named Barbara, both of whom resembled his cartoon character Morticia Addams.  It’s probably #2, Barbara Jean Day.  They are sitting in his 7.02 litre 1927 Mercedes S-Modell Tourer, which was GIVEN to him by a friend!  At the time of the parade and the 1951 Brideghampton races, it was painted deep green with black fenders/wings and red underside and brake drums, with a polished bare-metal hood/bonnet.  For more on this car, see:

http://sbiii.com/merceds3.html#addams-s

Thanks a million - your photo clearly establishes the presence of those mini-rear-tonneau doors beyond question!

Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #49 Solved: Charles Addams and his wife Barbara Jean in Southampton Updated:10/30/16

That’s famous cartoonist Charles Addams and his wife Barbara. Some say that Morticia from “The Addams Family” was drawn by Addams to look like Barbara. As to the car: no idea so I’ll just guess 1924 Bentley.

From Mystery Foto #49 Solved: Charles Addams and his wife Barbara Jean in Southampton Updated:10/30/16

Many (most?) readers may not be aware that the AmerIcan was known as the “American Underslung” because of its suspension.  The axles were fastened ABOVE the spring leaves (see the photo), giving the Americans a much lower center of gravity and profile, resulting in a racier look (even on stodgy coupés and sedans), slightly-lower wind resistance, and better cornering.  Sam, III

From A Colorized Photo of the #23 American that Raced in the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race

I enjoyed watching the videos the most,some real old cars in them and I like the music that goes with it

From Walter McCarthy Collection: The Opening Year of the Long Island Automotive Museum (1948)

I am looking for info on a 1924 Chrysler Finer 70 identity no. 7280145, motor no H786, underneath 53951-2.

From Mystery Foto #91 Solved: Walter P. Chrysler with a Maxwell 1924 Chrysler B-70 Roadster

I didn’t get a chance to do this.I should have done it right away

From Mystery Foto #48 Solved: Duchess of Marlborough Leaving the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Grandstand

Nice variety of cars, something for everybody to enjoy!

From Hemmings Classic Car: Delectable Rarities of the 2015 Hemmings Motor News Concours d'Elegance

-Identify the Vanderbilt Cup Race and the date of the photo. Provide a rationale.
The flags on the railings look to be from the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race, Saturday, October 14, 1905

-Where was this photo taken?
Race grandstands at the start/finish

-Identify the passenger(s) in the automobile and a person in the grandstand
Don’t know this one, but I believe that to be Dan Rather driving the automobile, obviously before his war correspondence days…or maybe Jim Florida?...a more serious guess might be zooming in tight on the stands there maybe appears to be Alva Vanderbilt Belmont in the distance

-Identify the automobile
1903 14hp Renault Tonneau

From Mystery Foto #48 Solved: Duchess of Marlborough Leaving the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Grandstand

The photo shows Consuelo Vanderbilt leaving Westbury on October 14th, 1905 after having watched the second Vanderbilt Cup race. In the car would be also Jacques Balsan, with whom she would eventually marry in 1921, after her divorce from the Duke of Marlborough in 1920. Photos of Balsan from this period seem to be scarce (I could only find a 1909 portrait photo). Comparing with this photo it seems that he was the passenger in the back seat of the tonneau (which is a 1903 Renault, most probably a 14 HP model).
Consuelo’s mother, Alva Vanderbilt-Belmont can be seen standing on the grandstand, exactly above Consuelo, with the hat with pheasant feathers.

From Mystery Foto #48 Solved: Duchess of Marlborough Leaving the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Grandstand

Why not go for it Howard,something else to add to your collection of memorabilia?

From Update: A Peter Helck Painting "Willie K's Tour of Inspection" Sold for $48,875

Guessing that’s a mountain range in the back ( but possibly a damaged photograph), its the 1914 VCR in Santa Monica, CA, Feb 27 1914. That could be Spencer Wishart (finished 13th) with the Mrs., arriving at the race.

From Mystery Foto #48 Solved: Duchess of Marlborough Leaving the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Grandstand

I have always admired the work of Peter Helck and suspect this painting will fetch far more at auction.  The letters and sketches included with the painting make this offering quite unique.   

Now this is a bit off subject, but what intrigues me most about Howard’s post is the following quote from Sotheby:

“Richard Roy met Peter Helck through their mutual friend, Jim Carpenter, around 1965, when Roy was trying to trace the provenance of an unusual Mercedes bronze.”

I wish there was a way that I could find out which “unusual Mercedes bronze” they are referring to.

From Update: A Peter Helck Painting "Willie K's Tour of Inspection" Sold for $48,875

Always have or get something for us to be amazed at and know about. It may be something for a mystery weekend

From Holiday Gift of the Week: Book "Car Crazy" by G. Wayne Miller

Another that I recognize and may be able to have some kind of answer,I hope

From Mystery Foto #48 Solved: Duchess of Marlborough Leaving the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race Grandstand

I also see Louis Disbrow was one of the possible National drivers as well…

From Mystery Foto #47 Solved: The Two National Racers Entered in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Another weekend for me without research time!
I’m going with an educated guess on this one and say these are 2 Nationals from the 1910 VCR driven by Johnny Aiken and Al Livingston.

From Mystery Foto #47 Solved: The Two National Racers Entered in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race

This the National team for the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup race. Driver in the car in front is John Aitken, driver of the other car Charles Merz. Aitken would drive with number 10, Merz with number 11. Aitken lost a wheel after the 4th round and ended up on 12th place, Merz had engine problems and finished on 7th place. I have no clue for the location of the photo.

From Mystery Foto #47 Solved: The Two National Racers Entered in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Once again I sincerely think it’s amazing that after 107 years this road remains in tact like this. I know it’s crazy but I greatly prefer these Nassau County parkway remnant locations over the Queens maintained portions. I definitely think the county needs to preserve this road, but not mess with it.

The Bethpage section starting at the Stewart Ave abutment (where it all began) and going all the way through the Bethpage Restoration to the bridge is just a wonderful stretch. I highly recommend it. Bring your kids out and start exploring!

Brian you are completely correct. Every time Sammy and I drive past a Motor Parkway location we both give it a salute. It’s a special thing for us. I have never been inside the GC Toll lodge. It’s been closed every time I’ve been there. Anything good to see in there? I have met some people who grew up in GC and claim that the lodge, before it was moved, was a fantastic meeting location / drinking spot.

From Sam & Dave’s “Excellent Motor Parkway Adventure” VIII: On to Deadman's Curve