Vanderbilt Cup Races

It was a grand day ...

From Henry Austin Clark Jr.'s Long Island Automotive Museum automobiles at the July 4, 1960 Southampton Parade

the fellow wearing the t shirt that note’s he is “Going to Herb’s” most likely means he is going to Herb McCarthy’s restaurant on Bowden Square in Southampton. There was a house directly opposite that restaurant where a man connected to the automotive industry resided and called home for many years. This man was a significant part of the history of the automobile.  Anyone care to offer who they think that might be?

From Henry Austin Clark Jr.'s Long Island Automotive Museum automobiles at the July 4, 1960 Southampton Parade

Would’ve loved to take a “now” photo of the mystery but I’m too far away on the west coast. The mystery photo scene is unrecognizable today.

From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Tommy Zinzi policing the Motor Parkway in front of the Meadow Brook Lodge

Likely Motor Parkway police officer Thomas J. Zinzi with wife Josephine as “passenger”, in front of their home at the Motor Parkway Massapequa Toll Lodge (1908-1967), one of the first six Motor Pkwy lodges designed by John Russell Pope. Admiring all the open land behind the lodge during early Bethpage. This snapshot of Arthur Mauriello’s grandparents was taken 1926-1938 during Zinzi’s service with the parkway. Photo is definitely looking north and confirms the lodge’s porto cochere on the left. Appears a single digit on Zinzi’s badge (likely #1).
Big bike, around 1100cc. A whopping 39 spoked wheels! Looks like a drum brake in the front. Below photo of a 1926 Harley Davidson with 1000cc JD engine has some similarities, particularly the small sign on the front fender. The JD at the time was preferred by police departments, with a high-performance engine capable of outrunning almost any other vehicle on the road during the 1920s.

From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Tommy Zinzi policing the Motor Parkway in front of the Meadow Brook Lodge

Can’t decide what’s cooler. The car flying or it’s transformation : )

From Test drive the Mercedes EQ this Sunday

I think the cinders were logs or planking. Residents must of been overjoyed when the roads received actual pavement. There must’ve been some type of stop signs before the traffic signals.

From Kleiner's Korner: The Dangerous Intersection of Wheeler Road and the Motor Parkway

A glimpse of Zinzi’s Harley in the lower left corner at the scene of a severe Parkway wreck.

From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Tommy Zinzi policing the Motor Parkway in front of the Meadow Brook Lodge

Huge thanks to Bill Cruickshank for yet another beautiful shot from his family collection!

As Bill’s grandfather Otto McCamish would call him, ‘Tommy the cop’ Zinzi and his grandmother Pernelle in front of their Meadowbrook lodge.

The bike is truly beautiful! A classic Harley Davidson. Most likely a 1928 model that these days could sell for 75k if pristine.

From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Tommy Zinzi policing the Motor Parkway in front of the Meadow Brook Lodge

Great photo Greg! Never seen this one before.

From Mystery Foto #27 Solved: Tommy Zinzi policing the Motor Parkway in front of the Meadow Brook Lodge

I don’t think that cars of that era could go very fast in the mud on Wheeler Road. That may have saved lives too. Driver behavior hasn’t changed in a century unfortunately.

From Kleiner's Korner: The Dangerous Intersection of Wheeler Road and the Motor Parkway

Yes Al! And Elsie Janis was his mechanician.

From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"

Guess what ?.... Barney Oldfield did race the the Golden Dragon in 1906 for the “Vanderbilt Cup”

From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"

Photo of Joe Tracy and Al Poole at the start of the NY - Philadelphia endurance test mentioned above using denatured alcohol.  This comment follows one of Sam Berliner’s last entries (if not his final one) on vanderbiltcupraces.com prior to his passing.

From Kleiner's Korner: A 1907 Vanderbilt Cup Race Entry

Mystery Foto #26… The race car is a 1908 Mitchell as driven by F. Zirbes in the 1908 Jericho Sweepstakes. This race for cars costing between $1001 and $2000. The date of the race is October 10, 1908. Official second from left could be Willy K.

From Mystery Foto #26 Solved : The J18 Mitchell racer driven by Frank Zirbes at the Start Line

Al,
Barney absolutely raced Vanderbilt at Ormond in 1904. Willie K. lost.

https://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/the_dawn_of_speed_when_willie_k_raced_barney_oldfield

From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"

Howard, I think I know why Oldfield did not initially race in any of the Vanderbilt Cup events. He was a “track racer”, not a “road” racer, different set of skills .  Re. Indy-Bridgehampton.

From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"

Howard, Did Barney “race ” against Vanderbilt at Daytona at one point ?

From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"

Great find, Howard. As you know, I have researched Barney’s career extensively and have to say there is a lot of content in here that I did not know of before.

From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"

Thank you for posting such a wonderful piece of history for us to enjoy

From Greg O.'s Garage: From the Helck Family Collection- Barney Oldfield and the "Green Dragon"

Best magazine on the subject I’ve ever read! I devoured every word. Each issue is a treasure. They will remain in my library. Thank you Richard

From Highlights from Crankshaft #2- This is not your father's car magazine