Vanderbilt Cup Races

I first met ‘Austin’ at one of the many car shows he was a fixture at around the Island.

One memorable one was typical of him. My wife and I were sitting in our Austin 10 having lunch during the 81 Glidden tour. Austin walked by and we offered him a glass of wine. “No thanks” he replied, “I’m on booze”. Later I looked in the back of his Lincoln Touring and the entire back seat was taken up with the largest cooler I had ever seen ... and it was full of various brands of “booze” bottles, ice bucket and glasses. 

I only went to the museum once when it was open, but then after the museum closed to the public in what I remember was 75, to several of the Iron Ranges there after with Walt Gosden.

I can remember one day spent doing a “dig” in a three foot high mound of dirt that had been a pile of old parts out in the yard behind the main building. Found quite a few small fittings still usable. Another time I was upstairs looking through parts shelves when all the lights suddenly went out and I was in near total darkness.

Austin would kill the lights, no mater who was where in the building, then yell “lunch” and start out the door to fire up the 20’s bus. He used it to drive all who would fit in it to lunch at John Ducks via the cemmitary next door to pay his respects. I was told it was the grave of his friend, the actor Gary Copper. Don’t know for certain,as the grave was only marked by a big rock.

After lunch it was back to the museum to try and .... I say try ... to buy any parts found because like Sal above found out, Austin wasn’t always in the mood to sell things. I learned that when turned down, you had to then hide your finds and at the next Iron range “re-find” them, then ask again. It was not uncommon that it took three or more tries to get Austin to agree to sell .. and when he finally did it was usually very cheap.

Fun times !!!! 

This has been another flash back for me because Wally McCarthy above gave me my first ride in a gas/brass era car buncing across Warren Krafts lawns in the front seat of Wally’s Locomobile.

Hey Wally - still got the Loco ?

Paul Fitzpatrick
Formally of Amityville

From What was the Long Island Automotive Museum?

Hi Howard,

You have a great web site and I appreciate all of the work you have put into it for my enjoyment.  The photos on your web site are of great value, but are almost impossible to view with any clarity since you have place a large watermark and ‘X’ on each photo.  Many of the photos are public domain or look like they were obtained from governmental agencies.  If so, is there a need to make the photo’s unviewable for your readers?  All of the photos on the Eastman Kodak archives web site are available to all viewers without watermarks.  I do not think that anyone will be taking your photos and developing a web site using them.

Your thoughts?

Mike Leahy, Cincinnati, Ohio

p.s.  A few years ago, I attended a family event and stayed in a motel on a street that was once part of the track.  I could almost hear the cars go by if I closed my eyes.

From The Four-Lane Motor Parkway and an Aerial View of Queens in 1924

Bob:

You are exactly right!

Howard

From The Four-Lane Motor Parkway and an Aerial View of Queens in 1924

Howard
north of bridge 4 on arieal photo little neck parkway, would that be what today is the Queens County Farmhouse Museum?

From The Four-Lane Motor Parkway and an Aerial View of Queens in 1924

Brooks:

Thanks for the email. It made my day!!

Happy Holidays to you and all the Vanderbilt Cup Race families!

Howard

From Update: The Alco Black Beast Racing History

Howard,

Thanks for the continued support of the Vanderbilt Cup history. You have single handily connected the Marston’s with their Great Grandfather, Harry Grant.  Thank you for this gift.

Happy Holidays to you and yours

From Update: The Alco Black Beast Racing History

Tom:

Always great to hear from you and the Grant family!

Mark:

Thanks for the additions to the Alco history and your positive feedback!! I have updated the racing record in my post.

Chris:

Great to hear from you!

Rich:

Thanks for the feedback.Some answers to your questions:

-the technology for timing the cars during this era was fairly accurate. I will go into detail in a future post.
-The average speed for the winner during the early Vanderbilt Cup Races was approximately 65 mph. At maximum, they could reach around 100-110. I was told the restored Alco-6 had recently done 120 mph. However, this timing was likely just a guestimate.
-None of these racers had windshields although they were common in touring cars of the era. It is likely they felt that the windshields would slow the car or make them unstable at race speeds.

Enjoy the New Year!

Howard

From Update: The Alco Black Beast Racing History

Hi Howard:

Your articles and photos continue to amaze.  A few questions:

(1) How accurate were the speed measuring devices in 1910?
(2) The article states that the vehicle was “capable of reaching 120 MPH.”  Is there evidence that 120 MPH was actually achieved or sustained in a race?  or a test-drive?
(3) I could be wrong, but it seems that anything resembling a windshield could not offer significant protection from the wind.  If that assumption is correct, than how could a driver withstand winds at or near 120 MPH (i.e. Category 3 Hurricane force), and maintain the skills necessary to operate the vehicle?

Thanks!  Happy New Year to everyone!
Rich

From Update: The Alco Black Beast Racing History

Howard, Congrats on your acquisition!  Wishing you, Roz, and the girls a very Happy New Year!

From Update: The Alco Black Beast Racing History

Hi Howard!

Don’t forget the two sprint races Grant and the ALCO won on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 1 and 2. Those were among the earliest races on the Speedway after it was paved with bricks, making it the “Brickyard.” Great stuff, your site is the ultimate on-line source of Vanderbilt Cup racing information!

From Update: The Alco Black Beast Racing History

My uncle, Clyde Virgil Latta, was mechanic with Eddie Rickenbacker, mentioned 14MAY1916 in the Indianaolis Star newspaper.  I knew little about Clyde’s racing days until I recently started to research my father’s racing exploits in the early days of the Pacific Northwest.  I’m always looking to learn more.  Clyde died in 1937, so I didn’t know him personally.

From Calling All Vanderbilt Cup Race Families

Howard:  How Great is this!!!  Be well and Happy Centennial (1909 Vanderbilt Cup).  Tom

From Update: The Alco Black Beast Racing History

Hi Mark,

It’s a good idea! I don’t think anyone has tried to run either a bike or foot race on the 2 1/2 mile stretch in Queens.

Howard

From When Gasoline was 14 Cents a Gallon

Mr. Thousand:

I am a freelance writer focused on pre-WWI motor racing. Would you be interested in talking with me about your grandfather and sharing some of his photos. I’d like to explore the idea of doing an article about him. I believe I have an opportunity in a first-rate publication you would be proud of.

Mark Dill

From Update on the Latest Mystery Photo!

Hi Howard.

I have a general comment/question. Has anyone tried to organize charity footrace on remnants of the Parkway? It doesn’t sound feasible to run a full marathon, but maybe a half or 10K…even a 5K?

From When Gasoline was 14 Cents a Gallon

Jim:

Thanks for the comment. What streets bordered the Harkness Scout Camp? I will try to find some old aerial images of it.

Enjoy,

Howard

From A Nassau County Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway

Your positive vibes are much appreciated. I can not wait for the car to arrive in January.

Howard

From The Restored Alco-6 Racer Returning to Long Island!

What an EXELLENT documentary of the VMP. Really well done, entertaining, and informative.
Thank you.
I enjoyed it

From Video:"The Long Island Motor Parkway" with Robert Miller

Excellent news!  Now you just need a proper outfit to wear behind the wheel and a mechanician to whisper into your ear, as they did to Caesar during his triumph, “Remember, you are mortal.”

From The Restored Alco-6 Racer Returning to Long Island!

I was born in Woodmere 1939, lived there until 1948, then moved to Lynbrook. As a Boy Scout we camped at Harkness Scout Camp in Jericho and walked on part of the Motor Parkway. My father, born 1897, said he rode on it many times. Any effort to preserve this important historical entity is worthile supporting. Many thanks. Jim Pearsall, now in NJ.

From A Nassau County Tour of the Long Island Motor Parkway