Starting Lineup: The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
These are the 17 cars that raced in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race held on October 24, 1908. The race was run over a 23.46 mile course including 8 miles of the Long Island Motor Parkway. The winner needed to complete 11 laps of the course for a total of 258.06 miles. Remember to click on the photos to enlarge the image:
#1 Locomobile (USA) driven by Jim Florida, 90 HP. Finished 3rd. Crashed into touring car on course at finish. Unofficial third place.
#2 Knox (USA) driven by Al Denison, 50 HP. Finished 7th. Running in lap 10 when race was called.
#3 Mercedes (Germany) driven by Emil Stricker. 120 HP. Finished 6th. Caught fire at Locust Grove, running when race was stopped
#4 Chadwick (USA) driven by William Haupt. 60 HP. Finished 10th. Magneto problem on lap 7. Running in lap 9 when race was called.
#5 Mercedes (Germany) driven by William Luttgen. 90 HP. Finished 4th. Car owned by William K. Vanderbilt Jr. Running in last lap when race was called.
#6 Isotta (Italy) driven by Herb Lytle. 60 HP. Finished 2nd. Previously won the 1908 Motor Parkway Sweepstakes. Less than two minutes behind winner. First to finish, but started 10 minutes ahead of #16
#7 Matheson (USA) driven by James Ryall. 60 HP. Finished 12th. As seen in this photo, caught fire before completing lap 4.
#8 Thomas (USA) driven by Joe Seymour. 60 HP. Finished 8th. Running in lap 9 when race was called.
#9 Hotchkiss (France) driven by E.J. Kilpatrick. 90 HP. Finished 15th. Broke clutch in Central Park during lap 3.
#11 Acme (USA) driven by Cyrus Patschke. 90 HP. Finished 14th. Broke camshaft gear in Central Park during lap 3.
#12 Thomas (USA) driven by George Salzman. 110 HP. Finished 5th. Running in lap 11 when race was called
#15 Matheson (USA) driven by Louis Chevrolet. 90 HP. Finished 16th. Cracked cylinder in Jericho during lap 2.
#16 Locomobile (USA) driven by George Robertson. 90 HP. Finished 1st. First American car to win the Vanderbilt Cup Race. Averaged 64.3 mph.
#17 Renault (France) driven by Lewis Strang. 115 HP. Finished 13th. Willie K pushed car at the start. Broke clutch during lap 4.
#18 Mercedes (Germany) driven by Foxhall Keene. 120 HP. Finished 11th. Cracked two cylinders in Jericho during lap 5.
#19 Thomas (USA) driven by Howard Gill. 115 HP. Finished 17th. Gear trouble during lap 2.
#20 Knox (USA) driven by William Bourque. 40 HP. Finished 8th. Running in lap 9 when race was called.
Links to related posts on VanderbiltCup Races.com
Comments
Hi Howard, The number 4 car is a 50HP Simplex. Regards, Walter
Hi Walter:
Great eye! I have replaced the photo with this image of the #4 Chadwick on Ellison Road heading over the Long Island Railroad bridge.
Howard
I greatly appreciate all your E-mails pertaining to the Vanderbilt Cup Races. An incredible racing experience indeed, without a doubt an auto racing education - thanks. I looked at all the photos of the Vanderbilt Cup starting lineup cars and drivers, and I must say they were the true auto racing pioneers - “From A Few Years Back.” Incredible, amazing, educational, and a time honored tribute to the men and machines of the Vanderbilt Cup Races.