Vanderbilt Cup Races

I was at the fair both in ‘64 and ‘65. my favorite ride was in the new Ford rotunda cars!

From Update: Memories of the 1964-1965 World's Fair

Previously unseen (at least to me) postcard of Elsie Janis promoting herself and “The Vanderbilt Cup” in 1907.

From Elsie Janis and The Broadway Show "The Vanderbilt Cup"

That’s a 1900 Daimler Phoenix, first imported to the USA in 1900 by Willie K. Jr., who named it the White Ghost. It was used by Willie K. to participate in his first major race in Newport, RI. He subsequently sold it to his good friend Edward Russell Thomas who, while speeding on Convent Avenue in NYC, unfortunately ran over and killed a seven year old boy, Henry Theiss. E. R. Thomas’ wife, Linda Lee of Louisville, KY, later divorced him and married Cole Porter. Attached are photos of E. R. Thomas and Linda Lee.

From Mystery Foto #13 Solved: 1900 Daimler Phoenix previously owned by Willie K.

Here is a pdf of an account of the Endurance Run that appeared in The Automobile Magazine of June, 1902.

From Ads From the Long Island Automobile Club 1902 Offical Program "One-Hundred Mile Endurance Test"

-The year, make and model of the race car

1900 23 h.p. Daimler Phoenix ‘White Ghost’

-The race car’s first owner

Willie K. Vanderbilt

-Who purchased the race car from the first owner?

Edward Russel Thomas

-Why is this race car considered notorious in automobile history?

In an accident in 1902, Thomas struck and killed a 7 year old boy.

-Kudos question: Link Cole Porter to the Mystery Foto.

E.R. Thomas was married to Linda Lee whom eventually she divorced partly due to the car and then went on to marry Cole Porter.

Below is a photo of Willie K. during his time owning he car.

From Mystery Foto #13 Solved: 1900 Daimler Phoenix previously owned by Willie K.

Art,  Given the relationship between Willie K. and Foxhall Keane… Keene never bought any stock or bonds of the Long Island Motor Parkway,.... unsuccessful to discover why not.

From Nassau County Historical Society Journal: Foxhall P. Keene and His "Life of Pure Delight"

The name Jonah brought me back to our religion classes : )

From Nassau County Historical Society Journal: Foxhall P. Keene and His "Life of Pure Delight"

Two more anecdotes pertaining to Foxhall Keene and a stretch of bad luck.  From Automobile Magazine, Dec., 1902.

Not knowing the meaning of the expression “Jonah” used in both articles, I found this:
“A long-established expression among sailors uses the term, “a Jonah”, to mean a sailor or a passenger whose presence on board brings bad luck and endangers the ship. Later, this meaning was extended to mean, “a person who carries a jinx, one who will bring bad luck to any enterprise.”

And please excuse the last sentence in the second article, a reflection of the times I suppose.

From Nassau County Historical Society Journal: Foxhall P. Keene and His "Life of Pure Delight"

This section starts just north of Sportime, literally right after the northern parking lot ends. This is south of Revere Street and south of the location where we all met a while ago, when we tried to determine the LIMP ROW in this Bethpage zone. The maps of Wayne and Frank agree that at this exact section, the LIMP went through this spot, but they then both say from this point there is a semi-sharp eastern turn that goes just east of 135 now and then north pretty much in line with 135, and we’ll you all know I completely disagree with that.

I definitely think through all of the exploration that we’ve done and remnants found that the LIMP traversed just west of present day 135 up to the point where it crossed over at present day Bethpage Park.

We need an old Bethpage resident to come forward! Someone has to have pics of 135 construction or know for sure the LIMP location vs present day 135. One day!

From Dave Russo re-explores a Bethpage section of the Motor Parkway

Hi Dave - I’ve wondered about this area, too. Between the Sportstime driveway and Rte 135, and to the rear of the deadend home off Revere. Overgrown most of the year, you were able to check it now. Similar to where you looked south of Westbury Ave, LIMP fragments galore.

From Dave Russo re-explores a Bethpage section of the Motor Parkway

Interesting info, Art. I felt like marking some of your finds on the map below. Think the reconstruction of the motor pkwy in 1940 was to improve the bike path, especially at Bell Blvd where that crazy curve was.

From Kleiner's Korner: And Now For Something Completely Different: Part 3 (Motor Parkway 1931 - 1940)

Just fantastic….where do you find these videos and photographs. I remember staying at the Worlds Fair sleeping under the Johnson and Johnson pavilion…what a fabulous newsletter you put together every month…I look forward to ever word,, Thank you.

From Update: Memories of the 1964-1965 World's Fair

The crashed car looks like a 1936 Ford Woody.

From Kleiner's Korner: And Now For Something Completely Different: Part 3 (Motor Parkway 1931 - 1940)

Balmacaan has taken on a second meaning.

From Mystery Foto #12 Solved: 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Racer Eugen Bjornstad in a 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza

Added the official Souvenir Map

From Update: Memories of the 1964-1965 World's Fair

Added the official Souvenir Map

From Update: Memories of the 1964-1965 World's Fair

Added these photos submitted by Jay Jarvis.

From Update: Memories of the 1964-1965 World's Fair

The driver is Norwegian -Eugen Bjornstad, the “Scandinavian King Of Speed”.  Titled earned for his reckless and daring driving style all over Europe during the 1930’s.  Participated in the !937 Vanderbilt Cup Race driving an Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 Monza. Balmacaan was his sponsor.

From Mystery Foto #12 Solved: 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Racer Eugen Bjornstad in a 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza

Found another three photos of the Zust car.  I just realized that my last comment to Sam about the Zust was after his passing -  if you’re able to look down and keep reading our favorite blog, here’s three more for you Sam! All are from 1908 and are from the Chicago to Paris and NY to Paris Races.  Emilio Sirtori is driving the Zust in the NY to Paris race accompanied by journalist Antonio Scarfoglio.

From Kleiner's Korner: Two Cars that Didn't Make it to the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Thank you Ryan. Be proud of, and remember, your families part in Long Island history!

Thanks to your father, there’s more photos and documentation of one of the more least known lodges than ever before.

From Update: Greg O’s Discovery: The McCamish Family and Their Time in the Meadow Brook Lodge