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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Mar 08 2010
The Alco “White Beast” at the 1910 Worcester Dead Horse Hill Climb
One of the earliest forms of automotive sports was competition against time over an uphill course. The "hill climbs" provided a natural venue for spectators and a challenge for the early automobiles.
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Feb 23 2010
Vanderbilt Timed Demonstration Runs to be held on Sunday, 8/08/2010
The Third Annual Vanderbilt Timed Demonstration Runs and Concours de Provenance at the Roosevelt Field Mall will be held on Sunday, August 8, 2010. The restored Alco-6 Black Beast Racer will once again participate and celebrate the centennial of the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race. Here is the film of the 2009 event.
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Jan 08 2010
“Black Beast” Featured in “Old Cars Weekly” Article
The Alco "Black Beast" was one of the cars featured in the September 3, 2009 Old Cars Weekly article "The Iconic & The Obsure".
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Nov 11 2009
“Black Beast” a Hit on Broadway
It was a beautiful day on Tuesday when the "Black Beast" made its Broadway debut.
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Nov 10 2009
“The Incredible Vanderbilt Cup Races” at Chowder Today
The forecast is beautiful...... so the Alco-6 "Black Beast" will be at today's gathering of the Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving & Chowder Society. At the meeting (beginning at 12 noon), I will be presenting "The Incredible Vanderbilt Cup Races" featuring rare race films including one of the first sports films ever made and a Mack Sennett film of the 1914 race. Hear the "Black Beast" roar outside Sardi's, located at 234 W.44th Street in Manhattan. For information on the Madison Avenue Sports…
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Nov 01 2009
Howard Kroplick and the “Black Beast” Invited to the Chowder Society
Howard Kroplick and the Alco-6 "Black Beast" have been invited to the Tuesday, November 10, 2009 meeting of the Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving & Chowder Society. At the meeting (beginning at 12 noon), I will be presenting "The Incredible Vanderbilt Cup Races" featuring rare race films including one of the first sports films ever made and a Mack Sennett film of the 1914 race. Weather permitting, the "Black Beast" will roar outside Sardi's, located at 234 W.44th Street in Manhattan.
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Oct 29 2009
Film “100th Anniversary of the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race”
Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Alco-6 "Black Beast" winning the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race on Long Island. This two-minute and 48-second film celebrates this victory.
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Oct 27 2009
Film “Ursula’s Ride”
On October 9, 2009, I presented the Vanderbilt Cup Races/Long Island Motor Parkway section of "Racing on Long Island: Horses to Horsepower" at the Long Island Library Resources Council 14th Annual Archives Month Conference. Prior to the start of the conference, I gave rides in the "Black Beast" in front of the beautiful Hoffman Center mansion. Videographer Barry Rivadue captured the action in this 3-minute film entitled "Ursula's Ride".
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Oct 24 2009
The “Black Beast” at the 2009 Hallockville Car Show
The weatherman says the sun will come out today and the Alco-6 "Black Beast" will roar at the historic Hallockville Museum Farm (6038 Sound River, Riverhead). The Peconic Bay Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America will hold its 11th annual meet from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Please stop by and say hello.
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Oct 16 2009
Video “Cablevision Editorial Gives the “Black Beast” a Thumbs-Up”
Last month, Peter Kohler, VP of Editorial Services for Cablevision, gave a thumbs up to the "Black Beast".Cablevision has sent me this two-minute video of the editorial. The "Black Beast is the last thumbs-up.
