Alco Black Beast
The restored racer that won the 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races and raced in the first Indy 500
Nicknamed “the Black Beast,” this was one of the most famous race cars of its era. A two-time winner of the Vanderbilt Cup, a major event in the early years of American motorsport, the car was the favorite to win the first Indianapolis 500-mile race in 1911.
Related Posts
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Jan 12 2011
Update: The Alco Black Beast Racing History
Alco-6 Black Beast's major races included two Vanderbilt Cup Races, the first Indianapolis 500, two Elgin Trophy Races, and one American Grand Prize Race. Here's the updated racing record with new images:
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Jan 08 2011
Drivers Who Raced in the 1911 Indy 500 and the Vanderbilt Cup Races (1904-1910)
The decision of the Indianapolis Speedway to hold one major 500-mile race in 1911 with an unheard purse of $25,100 (equal to $571,000 today) attracted the best racing teams and drivers. Not surprisingly, many of the drivers who participated in the Vanderbilt Cup Races and its associated races also drove in the Inaugural Indy 500.
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Jan 07 2011
The Alco “Black Beast” in the Inaugural Indy 500 Race
Besides its two Vanderbilt Cup Race victories, the Alco-6 Black Beast's most famous race was the Inaugural Indy 500 held on May 30, 1911. To further celebrate this year's centennial, here is a comprehensive review of the Alco's performance as one of the 40 participants in this historic race.
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Jan 05 2011
Indy 500 Centennial Celebration: Five 1911 Indy 500 Films
To celebrate the upcoming centennial of the Inaugural Indy 500 Race, here are five films related to this historic race:
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Jan 04 2011
The Planned 1912 Alco Racing Team & the Subsequent Withdrawal from Racing
In the Fall of 1911, the American Locomotive Company produced a brochure focusing on the features and specifications of their new four cylinder and six cylinder models.
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Jan 03 2011
The Alco “Black Beast” at the 1911 “Greatest of Auto Shows”
From January 7th to 21st in 1911, the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers organized the "Greatest of Auto Shows" at Madison Square Garden located at 26th and Madison Avenue.
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Dec 27 2010
The Automobile Quarterly 1976 Calendar Car: The Alco “Black Beast”
Twenty-four years ago, Automobile Quarterly issued a calendar of historic vintage automobiles.
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Dec 25 2010
Neighborhood Journal Film Series: Part III: Early Races, Early Cars
Cablevision's Neighborhood Journal has developed a five-part film series on the Vanderbilt Cup Races. The producer and narrator of the film is Bob Klement who is interviewed by host Joanna Venditto. The five parts of the series are:
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Dec 08 2010
The Three Alco Racers at the 1911 Elgin National Trophy Race
The 1911 Elgin National Trophy Race was the only major race in which American Locomotive Company supplied entries besides the Black Beast. The three Alcos in the race were serviced by a team of 12 drivers, mechanicians and mechanics. As captured in this photo provided by Lee Ferbin of Springfield , Missouri, Harry Grant can be seen in the middle with his hands folded. His mechanician George Babcock was to his right. Frank Lee was standing to the far right wearing an Alco sweater and mechanic…
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Dec 07 2010
Harry Grant Describes His Last Great Race with the Alco Black Beast
Harry Grant's last great race in the Alco-6 Black Beast Racer's was the 1911 Elgin National Trophy Race held on the Illinois course. Driver Harry Grant was shown here with his mechanician George Babcock prior to a practice run. This was the only major race in which mechanican Frank Lee did not ride with Grant. The reason was simple: Lee also drove another Alco in the race-one of three Alco racers in the Elgin.
