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
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Recent Comments
Great finds!
From The 1929 Long Island Motor Parkway Brochure and Map
Jerusalem Ave Bridge since we can see the press box through the bridge. I believe this to be the #3 Mercedes driven by Emil Stricker during the 1908 VCR on October 24th.
From Mystery Foto #17 Solved: Emil Stricker in the #3 Mercedes passing the Jerusalem Avenue Bridge during the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Also current building images.
From The 1929 Long Island Motor Parkway Brochure and Map
Okay, hot from the press! Update on the Motor Inn Garage! Below is an ad describing the Motor Inn Garage & Sales Service once located on the s/s of Conklin Ave, e/o Main St, next to Kilians Church. Also property cards showing as a Chevrolet Garage originally.
From The 1929 Long Island Motor Parkway Brochure and Map
No luck yet finding photos of Commack Garage and Motor Inn Garage, but the articles below describe Commack Garage at the corner of Babylon ( Commack ) Rd & Jericho Tpke; so located west of the Commack Spur. Then a reference to the Motor Inn Garage and Motor Pkwy.
From The 1929 Long Island Motor Parkway Brochure and Map
Yes, thank you. I realized my mistake after I wrote my comment in a hurry this morning. Didn’t get back to it but knew the car aficionado world has smart people every ready to correct things ????????
From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)
Mark Schaier beat me to the punch when he mentioned the preponderance of Packards in the 1937 video. I noticed that as well. Packard was a luxury marque. I wonder if that speaks to the relative wealth of New Yorkers, Great Depression notwithstanding, while rural folks drove Fords.
From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)
invasion of Norway
From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)
Episode three of the new PBS Masterpiece Theater series called “Atlantic Crossing” was on last night. Set during WWII, it’s about the Nazi invasion of Sweden and the escape of the royal family. FDR arranges for the Princess and her children to cross the Atlantic; they arrive in NY and as they ride in a car in the city some of the 1937 film that Howard shared is used in the TV production. I perked up seeing it the footage! The show can be streamed on line.
From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)
I’m going to guess Walter McCarthy behind the wheel with Floral Park town historian Walt Gosden, sitting in Alco Old 16, winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race driven by George Robertson, first time American victory during the early races. Based on photo quality, I’d say mid ‘70’s. Oh the Ford truck, definitely mid 1970s. Don’t know the event, possibly the racer’s 70th anniversary. Keeping my fingers crossed!
From Mystery Foto #16 Solved: Jerry Helck and Walt Gosden in Old 16 at the 80th Anniversary of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Seems that looking at any old time NYC, what jumps out is how clean the city was. Bill G. beat me to the punch. I’m a trolley buff and one of the dvds I have is “The Last Trolleys in NYC” They were in the middle fifties. Same observation about the streets (of Brooklyn Your video is great…a great remember when
From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)
Great video and restoration. The camera car was followed at a distance to allow a wide open view while filming up 5th Ave. Three cameras mounted on the trunk was getting much attention. Great time machine video! Thanks for posting.
From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)
Do I spy a yellow Tucker in the bottom two illustrations?!
From Helck Family Collection: Peter Helck's "Murder Car" featured in The Saturday Evening Post
The one thing that struck me almost instantly about the 1930’s video is the lack of debris, garbage or litter. The streets and gutters were very clean. Guess NYC in the 30’s was a clean town.
From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)
Mystery Foto #16… The race car shown here is the one and only Old 16 Locomobile, In 1908, George Robertson drove this car to victory in the Vanderbilt Cup, America’s first great automobile race. It was the first time an American car won a major international road race in the United States. The Locomobile competed while wearing race number 16, and it’s been known as “Old 16” ever since. The two friends in the car are Jerry Helck and Walt Gosden. This photo was taken at the Maine Maid Inn in Jericho on October 23, 1988. The event was the Long Island Old Car Club 80th Anniversary celebration of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race.
From Mystery Foto #16 Solved: Jerry Helck and Walt Gosden in Old 16 at the 80th Anniversary of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Obviously that’s the “Old 16” Locomobile racer, winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. I believe that’s Jerry Helck in the driver’s seat with Walt Gosden as the mechanician. The date of the photo is October 23, 1988 at the Maine Maid Inn in Jericho during the 80th. anniversary celebration of the 1908 V. C. R. sponsored by the L. I. Old Car Club.
From Mystery Foto #16 Solved: Jerry Helck and Walt Gosden in Old 16 at the 80th Anniversary of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Looks like the talented artists’ depiction of Turn #3 at the IMS. Thanks for this very interesting post. The 500 will be coming up again before we know it. Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!! , Jonathan B. Richards II in Missouri.
From Helck Family Collection: Peter Helck's "Murder Car" featured in The Saturday Evening Post
Remarkable films! I was curious regarding the 2020 film if he/she hit any red lights. There is a way to have all green if you drive a certain speed- not too fast, not too slow- and of course only when there is no congestion. I watched the full 8+ minutes and alas the driver hit three red lights (I think the first at 34th St ?). Perhaps my methodology is not 100% perfect! ????
From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)
This is fabulous! I love the blend of history and artwork. Wonderful.
From Helck Family Collection: Peter Helck's "Murder Car" featured in The Saturday Evening Post
Surprise to see many mid and late thirties Packard’s park on Fifth Ave. a popular car.
Also like those early and mid thirties luxury chauffeur driven towncars in excellent condition, must like Howard’s ‘37 Chrysler Imperial Towncar, very elegant! Fifth Ave. clean and well paved!
From Videos of the Week: Then & Now rides on Fifth Avenue New York (1937 & 2020)
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