Vanderbilt Cup Races

It looks as if the rectangular opening was meant as a farmway bridge to provide William Stymus with pedestrian and horse cart access under the Motor Parkway to both sides of his property.

The rectangular opening was on the North (Northeast) side of the tracks. 

The photo was taken facing roughly West, since the path of Central Avenue is on the South side of the tracks to the West of the bridge; crossing the tracks on the Southeast side of the bridge, then continuing East on the North side of the tracks.

The path of the Motor Parkway right-of-way is clearly visible to the south of Central Avenue on Google Maps’ satellite image and would have continued to the North roughly where the aptly named Norcross Avenue is today.

Bob

From Mystery Foto #94 Solved: The Stymus Farmway Underpass of the Motor Parkway's Longest Bridge

I’m sure your a busy man, Howard. Fun busy, I hope. Your bridge series is the best, it’s of great interest to me. I always look forward to it. Your photos are the next best thing to a time machine.

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series #51: The Claremont Avenue Bridge in Old Bethpage

The Chrysler is beautiful restored.  I especially liked the nickel hardware with blue enamel…just amazing attention to detail. Thank you Howard for hosting us and giving the impromptu presentation and stories about the Chrysler. We all had a great time!
-Frank Tedesco

From Buicks Visit a Chrysler at Waterfront at Roslyn

We all had a wonderful day at Howard’s Garage. Great people, excellent cars, neat location, nice weather and good food! Who could ask for anything more?

From Buicks Visit a Chrysler at Waterfront at Roslyn

To all veterans ‘HAPPY VETERANS DAY’ and thank you.

From Mystery Foto #93 Solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. in his 1926 Model T Acrobatic in Southampton, NY

You sure were clowning around with this one and that’s no joke, you fooled me, I should have gotten it

From Mystery Foto #93 Solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. in his 1926 Model T Acrobatic in Southampton, NY

By chance is that Frank Fontaine driving that wheely car? I don’t know who that girl is. The car might be a Model A or T modified to do a wheely

From Mystery Foto #93 Solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. in his 1926 Model T Acrobatic in Southampton, NY

Sounds good to me Art and Michael, wishful thinking, anything is possible

From LIHerald.com: Preserving history with a bike path

Footbridges (in the shape of the original bridges) would be fantastic along the original central railroad in Levittown parallel to LIMP section for bike riding as far as Deadman’s Curve and north into Bethpage State Park. I still like my idea of going across the original path on Merrick Avenue across the park (over the golf course) and to Salisbury Park Drive.

From LIHerald.com: Preserving history with a bike path

Just a wild guess but the driver looks like Henry Austin Clark, Jr., maybe with his daughter as passenger in parade in Southampton, NY sometime around the mid to late 1950’s. As to the car: no idea.

From Mystery Foto #93 Solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. in his 1926 Model T Acrobatic in Southampton, NY

Who is the driver of the car and his passenger?
Austin Clark, Jr. - possibly one of his daughters.

Where was the photo taken and its approximate year.
Best guess - Southampton, July 4th Parade, late 1960s

From Mystery Foto #93 Solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. in his 1926 Model T Acrobatic in Southampton, NY

Mystery photo
Driver. Austin Clark LI AUTOMUSEUM

PLACE MAIN STREET SOUTHAMPTON

From Mystery Foto #93 Solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. in his 1926 Model T Acrobatic in Southampton, NY

Let’s be sure accurate markers depicting the highway’s historical significance are erected along the route.  Too bad the state couldn’t devote some of that money to keeping the Grandstand site in Levittown as part of the overall plan.  Would have been the next section east of the Wantagh Parkway.

From LIHerald.com: Preserving history with a bike path

Knew they were Chrysler-Ghias but certainly not which.  Look again at that 1954 DeSoto Adventurer II; the tail lights remind me of the inboard doo-dads on the 1962-64 Ghia-bodied Chrysler turbine cars.  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #92 Solved: Three Chrysler Ghia Concept Cars

It’s Austin Clark with his trick car made mostly of model T Ford parts in a Southampton parade.

From Mystery Foto #93 Solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. in his 1926 Model T Acrobatic in Southampton, NY

Henry Austin Clark Jr. and wife Waleta at a Southhampton parade, driving a bizarre modified 1933 Pierce Silver Arrow? Possibly with its engine removed and a battery powered drivetrain added (looks like a 12V battery attached to the body) to reduce weight and enable easy wheelies. Mid ‘60s? based on spectator’s clothing. This stunt must’ve been an eye opener for the day.

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/from_the_walter_mccarthy_collection_a_tribute_to_henry_austin_clark_jr
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/au

From Mystery Foto #93 Solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. in his 1926 Model T Acrobatic in Southampton, NY

Too easy, Howard - it’s Austie (Henry Austin Clark, Jr.) and the car is his crazy creation from his LI Automotive Museum.  The car worked very well!  Further deponent sayeth not.  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #93 Solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. in his 1926 Model T Acrobatic in Southampton, NY

-Who is the driver of the car and his passenger?

Henry Austin Clark Jr. Not sure. Maybe a family member?

-Where was the photo taken and its approximate year.

Main Street in Southampton in the 1950’s.

-What was the original manufacturer and make of the car?

1926 Ford model T

-How did the car work?

A Model T Ford that was shortened and the rear axle connected directly to the transmission. This left a vehicle that with just the right balance that would produce long wheel-stands

From Mystery Foto #93 Solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. in his 1926 Model T Acrobatic in Southampton, NY

Just a note Howard - the area north of Deadman’s Curve leading to Central Avenue is owned by King Kullen which houses their headquarters just east of the roadway.  The property was bought in 2003 from a group called Herbil Holding Co., a property management firm.  Based on tax dept.  assessed value for the parcels it comprises is about $1MM.

From Motor Parkway Trails #3: Bethpage Along the Central Railroad Right-Of Way

The driver is:  Henry Austin Clark and wife as passenger.  Location is eastern Long island.  Date not known.  The vehicle is a make over possibly from a jeep or small car.    Thanks and Best !!!  Ron

From Mystery Foto #93 Solved: Henry Austin Clark, Jr. in his 1926 Model T Acrobatic in Southampton, NY