Vanderbilt Cup Races

I think that’s the 1906 Christie 100HP racer that was entered in the 1906 American Elimination trials. It was driven by J. Walter Christie with Lewis Strang as the mechanician. No injuries were reported. I think it was the first V-4 front wheel drive car entered in an international race. As to the Bridgehampton connection: no idea after considerable research.

From Mystery Friday Foto #19 Solved: The Wreck of George Arents Jr.

Correction - got the year of Bob Blakeman’s Lincoln sedan typed wrong, the car was a 1934. Dark blue and was one of the most beautiful spectacular cars I have ever seen.

From The 1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Sedan Convertible Berline attends the Town of Oyster Bay Tobay Beach Car Show

Brucee Blakeman’s father Bob had at least three prewar cars, a 1932 Cadillac V16 town car, 1937 Lincoln 7 passenger sedan, 1930 Pierce Arrow town sedan. Bob and I were friends, and each week would go to the cruise in in West Hempstead on Dogwood Avenue. We took turns buying each other a cup of coffee. We would then sit on the running boards of our cars and have great conversations about cars and people. He was a real gentleman and fun guy to spend time with. Do the Dogwood Avenue cruise nights still take place?

From The 1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Sedan Convertible Berline attends the Town of Oyster Bay Tobay Beach Car Show

I don’t plan on being on LI that day, but I’ll be with you guys in spirit!  I would image the facility has live video/audio capabilities such as zoom - just a thought!

From Hold the Date: 7:00 PM, Thursday, June 25, 2026: A Special Evening with the Howard and Al at 150 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge

Thanks Art, for that Newsday article by Bill Bleyer in 2005, that long ago, WOW!
You moved to NC 5 years ago, you’re a newbie. It been going on for many years many from here move there upon retirement like many from Grumman I heard. IT’S AFFORDABLE! DAMM TAX’S!

From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City

The House that’s shown in the last photo, wasn’t built until 1985 ( year I graduated High School ) The homes on either side were built in the late 1950’s, early 60’s. So for many years, the land was deemed “not buildable”, mostly because of the Transmission Tower Line directly above the west embankment. You’ll notice in the image below that the house is lower in height than the house next door.

From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City

Shameful - but that’s progress I guess.  I’m experiencing that here in NC where thousands of acres of timberland are being clear cut for new housing communities.  Too many northerners moving here!  But I can’t complain - that was me about 5 years ago! 

Mark - I found Newsday articles (2005 and 2008) with pictures of Sam in Manhasset and Bethpage.  The first in Manhasset was with an article written by Bill Bleyer.

From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City

I remembered the late Sam Berlina lll at the same possible location speaking in a photo speaking to Newsday reporter Bill Bleyer in this VCR website? I tried ‘Search’, no record.

From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City

HI Howard,
Thanks for reminding me of how great Joni Mitchel was!
I ended up listing to hours of her music & stories of her life.
Great memories.
Best regards,
MartyZ

From Automotive Shows & Events - June, 2026

I often say it with music when I write, and your musical choice is perfect for this area as y’all describe it, but with which I am not familiar. Here in Huntington, the song can be played for many places. including those of the old trolley system on what is now NY Ave, the Old Walt Whitman Road, and mostly one side of Rte. 110 (the west side, I believe). Vintage places and things not only preserve the past, but enlighten the future.

From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City

The two spectators on the right are Jerry Seinfeld and our very own president of the LIMPPS, Howard Kroplick. The lady on the left is Juliana Terian. The event was the annual classic car exhibition at “The Bridge” on 9/14/24. I believe the silver sports car is an Aston Martin DB-6 while the antique car could be a 1905 Fiat 60 HP Touring Car. I think Howard had his 1963 “Shorty” Mustang III at that event.

From Mystery Friday Foto #18 Solved: Happy Spectators at The Bridge VIII in 2024

Great photos Howard. Can’t believe it’s been 9 years since that exploration day, which at the time, was the first time I had been back there since 1983. I think of Joni Mitchell’s words also every time I see something like that. And very upsetting to realize that we were lied to by the Village of Garden City.

From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City

The two gentlemen on the right: Jerry Seinfeld and Howard Kroplick
The event and date: Pebble Beach 2017
The make and model silver car: Aston Martin DBS
Which car from the Kroplick Collection attended that event? The Tucker…

From Mystery Friday Foto #18 Solved: Happy Spectators at The Bridge VIII in 2024

It’s very disappointing to see that the village failed to follow through on clearing the site and preserving as much as possible. Not surprising however. Thanks for the update Howard!

From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City

I drove by the LIMP crossing of Westbury Avenue.  I knew they built the drainage sump, but it looked as if they made it much larger, and possibly removed some of the old pavement.  I will have to go back to take a closer look.  Has anyone else seen this?

From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City

That particular site was my son Gram’s first understanding that the motor parkway existed beyond our hometown Alley Pond location.

Guy

From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City

Wonderful piece & pics of Garden City Section. Keep up good work you Vanderbilt Pkwy Finders !

From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City

The aircraft in the background of the photo at the airport is a Stinson SM-6000-B, Reg. # NC10840, c/n 5041, built 1931, and used by Century-Pacific Lines, then American AW, and then Caribbean Atlantic Airlines Inc.  It Sank off St. Homee, Virgin Islands, 1946.  See https://www.grandcentralairterminal.org/airplanes/NC10840/index.php  for a complete history of the aircraft.

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Actress Paulette Goddard in the 1930 Duesenberg J Murphy Convertible Sedan Berline #2448 J-399

Thanks for these maps.  In 1914 W. K. Vanderbilt Sr. commissioned a mansion, stables an garage at Jericho. It was called Stepping Stones. Anne Harriman Vanderbilt sold Stepping Stones in 1921 to Mr Ormond G. Smith.  I’ve been wondering where the estate was located and now I see O.G. Smith disgnated on a parcel.

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

You should have seen the look on the DMV lady when we registered our Avanti RQB 2801 She called the supervisor over to figure out how to do it

From Greg O.'s Garage: A History of the Modern Automobile VIN Plate