Vanderbilt Cup Races

The E.R. Thomas Motor Co. plant in Buffalo, NY.

Thomas' reply to Jefferson De Mont Thomson was dated October 16, 1906, nearly two weeks after the Vanderbilt Cup Race where one spectator died and two days before William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. was named President of the organization that would eventually become the Long Island Motor Parkway, Inc.

The reply included "several blueprints" for a track to race automobiles as well as one for "pleasure cars".   And a plan to make the organization profitable.

The proposed track would encompass 420 acres and include a grandstand. 

"all road or railroad crossings should be made above ground".  Timing of the races would encourage large numbers of people to attend and allow for usage of pleasure cars.

The comfort of attendees was taken into account when planning the track and its grandstand, the availability of a swimming pool and adequate transportation to get to and from nearby attractions.

The proposal estimated an annual attendance of one million people who would attend various events and make use of the amenities offered including . . .

a hotel, park, clubhouse, sportsman shows, tennis courts and a gymnasium. 

Thomas even provided the estimated annual revenue for the events  . . . totaling $1.59 Million equivalent to $45 million today!

And he proposed Willie K. be the President of the club that would own and operate the course.
 

From vanderbiltcupraces.com

"At an October 18, 1906 meeting William K. Vanderbilt Jr. was named president of a newly formed “Automobile Highway Association.” The company would later become Long Island Motor Parkway, Inc., responsible for developing the first road built specifically for the automobile".

A plan for membership and governance of the club was proposed.  "Everything must be first-class and operated on a broad scale".

The "objects" of the club were spelled out . . .  the building of private roads, improvements in "mechanically propelled vehicles of all kinds" and to harmonize relations between users and manufacturers of automobiles and other vehicles.

The organization should be not-for-profit (how does this tie in with the profitable enterprise as outlined in the proposal?)

The number of cars passing Krug's Corner during the previous Vanderbilt Cup Race was mentioned as to the viability of the proposal. 

E.R. Thomas' signature

Thomas also sent a prospectus to Henry Ford (among many others) on December 22, 1906 requesting financial participation in the Long Island Motor Parkway, Inc.  As indicated in the response by Ford's Secretary and Treasurer, Henry Ford heartily agreed with the need for such an organization and pledged $6,000.

$1,500 in bonds, $3,000 in preferred stock and $1,500 in common stock

Putting his money where his mouth was -Thomas pledged over $27,000!