Vanderbilt Cup Races

New Owner!  Congratulations Howard!  Will we see this storming the access road at the Nassau Museum next year?

From Video: The Alco Black Beast Racer Arrives On Long Island

Howard,

Our Great Grandfather Harry Grant would be proud to see what you have accomplished.  Thank You

From Video: The Alco Black Beast Racer Arrives On Long Island

I respectfully ask T.L. if they also have the 1903 photograph attributed to being W.G. Faatz on a Google book site apparently titled- ‘Johnson City Firefighting’ by
Robert G. Blakeslee and Michael J. McCann. In the photo the blurb describes W.G. Faatz in his Chief Engineer firefighter uniform as a member of the Lestershire F.D. sitting behind the wheel of the town’s first automobile. The question I have is that he somewhat resembles the passenger in the mystery photo above, yet the ear shape appears different. I’m inclined to believe an accredited photo description a bit over one that is not. Bushy black eyebrows and a strong jawline can be similar on several men- particularly in that time frame. Ears are similar to fingerprints in that they are distinctive in shape and detail. the photo above shows a laid back pointed ear with tucked in lobe. The ear shape in the firefighter photo from a few years prior, apparently, shows a tucked in lobe but the top of the ear is not laid back or compressed and there is no peak at the rear- it’s rounded. I haven’t yet downloaded and enlarged the firefighter photo to take a closer look- but that is my preliminary view. Thanks.
Steve A

From Update on the Latest Mystery Photo!

Comment from Robert R.:

WHOOPEE!

Wonderful.

Cannot believe it actually has an on-board starter.

Thanks, Howard.

ROBERT

From The Alco-6 Racer Gets Fired Up

Comment from Tony De Seta:

Hello Howard,

What an exciting automobile! They called them fire breathing beasts back then,with good reason.
I can still remember like it was yesteday,when I had the good fortune to be at Hershey in the early 1980s when the Old #16 was being shown. I was right there when they fired her up for the drive off the judging area. I would love to see that big ALCO Vanderbilt Cup winner!

Best Regards,

Tony De Seta
Spring Grove,PA

From The Alco-6 Racer Gets Fired Up

Outstanding Howard!!!  Glad to see “the Beast” made it home in good order.  She sounds fantastic.

From The Alco-6 Racer Gets Fired Up

Comment from Richard R, East Hills, New York:

OK…Gentlemen: Start your engines!! Ready to put’er in gear..and let’s get rolling. Very exciting!

Rich

From The Alco-6 Racer Gets Fired Up

Comment from Cliff Manley, Southport Old, Australia:

Amazing car, this video underlines how similar today’s racers are to the pioneers of racing a century ago… noise, flame, smoke, power… some things never change…. 😉

From The Alco-6 Racer Gets Fired Up

Congratulations!

Now there are 3 Alcos on Long Island. Did you
know that a 1908 exists in Massachusetts? Yes,
it is my car. There is one also in Florida, a
1913. Once again, congratulations.
My name is Manny and my number is 561-798-1272.
Look forward to hearing from you.

From The Alco-6 Racer Gets Fired Up

Great JOB!!  “ALIVE SHE’S ALIVE” I"m very excited for you. Congratulations are in order… John

From The Alco-6 Racer Gets Fired Up

Wonderful art, Howard, and great information on PAL.

From The Beautiful 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Poster

Howard—

Nice work!  Congratulations.

Now about that name:  Bete Noir should have a circumflex, not an acute accent, over the first “e,” i.e.,  bête noir. 

Votre cher amis,

—Richard

From The Alco-6 Racer Gets Fired Up

I’m sending this link to my wife, Howard. We’re both runners and will be in Myrtle Beach, SC for the marathon Valentine’s Day weekend. She is the newsletter editor for the North Carolina Road Runners Association and will appreciate the quality of the Strider newsletter.

From Alley Pond Striders on the Long Island Motor Parkway Greenway

Next time we will have to remember to bring the marshmallows!  Good luck with the car! Regards, Walter

From The Alco-6 Racer Gets Fired Up

Rich, Mark, and Bob:

Thanks for the posts!

The “Black Beast” will be temporarily can be seen at its current location at 55 Lumber Road in Roslyn.

I have begun discussions with the Vanderbilt Museum to find a home for later this year.

Enjoy!

Howard

From Video: The Alco Black Beast Racer Arrives On Long Island

Howard
My wife and I just got back from Lumber Rd and the car looks great. Too bad No 16 isnt still on the Island what a picture that would make. The added feature is the way the car is displayed..car stuff all around. Again congrats.

Bob Valentine

From Video: The Alco Black Beast Racer Arrives On Long Island

Hi Howard.

This looks great! Is the car now located at the Vanderbilt Museum? Terrific memorabilia creating a neat environment.

From Video: The Alco Black Beast Racer Arrives On Long Island

Howard,

Of course, it’s wonderful to see all the great photos, both old and new.  But, to see the car in person is really jaw-dropping.  It’s both exciting and difficult for me to imagine No. 8 tearing along a 100-year old road at speeds that we don’t drive today!  Truly an amazing vehicle! 

Great work in bringing an historic - and important - piece of Long Island back home!

Rich

From Video: The Alco Black Beast Racer Arrives On Long Island

Hi Jim:

Thanks for the thanks!

Your grandfather Al Poole was one of the best mechanicians in the Vanderbilt Cup Races!

http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/index.php/drivers/driver/poole

Enjoy,

Howard

From The Dangerous Role of the Mechanician

I second Richard’s comment.  Thanks for keeping all the names of these racing greats alive for future generations.  You do a great job on this site.  I wish I lived closer to Long Island. But then again, it IS cold up there.

From The Dangerous Role of the Mechanician