InstaGRAM Report: Peter Helck Vanderbilt Cup Races Paintings Part 2
Peter Helck’s famous book, The Checkered Flag, tells the tales of early automotive racing history, with particular emphasis on the significance of the Vanderbilt Cup Races. As noted in Part 1 of this series (click here if you haven’t read the first installment), the artwork featured here is from our collection of black and white photo scans. This is the first time the high-resolution photo scans have been shown to the public. These scans helped lay out the sizing of each work of art shown within The Checkered Flag.
By Gram Spina
ROAD RACING COMES TO AMERICA - 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race
The Pope-Toledo driven by H. H. Lytle in the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race was a testament to the old adage “less is more.” Mr. Helck’s drawing depicts the car taking a right-hand corner of the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup at high speed, as a flabbergasted crowd of spectators looks on in awe.
The Pope-Toledo had a 4-cylinder, 24 horsepower factory produced engine — the same engine featured in all road-ready Pope-Toledos in 1904. Despite the fact that it was underpowered, the car finished in 3rd place in the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup.
ROBERTSON COMES THROUGH - 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Originally commissioned for Esquire magazine in 1944, this is arguably one of Mr. Helck’s most famous paintings. Ultimately selected to grace the cover of his book The Checkered Flag, this painting depicts George Robertson blasting down the race course behind the wheel of Locomobile’s famous Old 16 race car — which went on to win the checkered flag in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race.
It is possible that this black and white photo was used in media advertising.
Here is the same painting on the cover of The Checkered Flag, which was first published in 1961.
The photo image was captured on the Westbury turn at the corner of Jericho Turnpike and Elliston Road during the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. While the photograph is at a slightly different angle than Mr. Helck’s painting, the former was clearly inspiration for the latter. Notice the similarities, including the sense of speed, excitement of the spectators, and left-hand turn.
OFF WITH A LAUGH AND A ROAR - 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race
This Peter Helck painting shows the Marquette-Buick driven by Louis Chevrolet setting off from the starting line of the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race. While this particular painting captures a joyous start, this race did not end in celebration for Louis Chevrolet and his team.
Although Chevrolet was the leader on the first eight laps, he could not stay ahead of his competitors and began to lose his position. Unfortunately, on lap 16 a steering knuckle broke, causing Chevrolet to lose control of the Buick and crash into a parked touring car. The crash killed mechanic Charles Miller. This — along with another deadly accident — ultimately led to the end of the Vanderbilt Cup Races on Long Island.
JOYOUS OCCASION - 1911 Vanderbilt Cup Race
The setting for this drawing is significant because it was the first Vanderbilt Cup Race not held on Long Island. Here, Mr. Helck’s artwork of the #8 Lozier — driven by Ralph Mulford and mechanic Billy Chandler — depicts the car crossing the finish line of the 1911 Vanderbilt Cup race in Savannah, Georgia.
On the left is a photograph that captured the celebratory moment when Mulford achieved his first-place finish. Mr. Helck most likely referenced this image when he created the drawing for The Checkered Flag. In both the photograph and the drawing, Chandler has his hands up in celebration of the first place finish.
RALPH DEPALMA - 1914 Vanderbilt Cup Race
This painting by Mr. Helck highlights the amount of skill required to be a successful race car driver and Ralph DePalma was the embodiment of that skill when he drove his Mercedes to victory in the 1914 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Santa Monica, California.
The image here was likely used as inspiration for Mr. Helck’s painting that depicts DePalma chasing down the competition and rounding the left-hand corner nicknamed “Dead Man’s Curve.”
- Image Courtesy of Phil Harms (from the book Real Road Racing: The Santa Monica Road Races).
THE THREE HUDSONS - 1916 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Presented here is Mr. Helck’s painting of the three Hudson-powered race cars from the 1916 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Santa Monica, California. The illustration shows the Hudsons in the order of finish at the conclusion of the race. Though they did not come within the top three, the cars finished in the respectable 4th, 5th, and 6th positions.
On the left is a photograph of Hudson number 19 driven by Ira Vail. Vail was the last racer to retire due to the mechanical failure of a broken driveshaft during the final stages of the race. By default, he placed 6th.
- Image Courtesy of Phil Harms (from the book Real Road Racing: The Santa Monica Road Races).
I look forward to sharing more of the artwork featured in The Checkered Flag in the upcoming third part of this series. As always, I am also very interested in reading your comments and anecdotes along with any additional information you would like to share or questions you would like to ask.
Comments
I’m so intrigued by his artwork and graphic documentary of the Vanderbilt race experiences. I see the book available with some pricey but affordable opportunities on eBay. Helck’s art was recently featured in an issue of Illustration magazine but not focused on his racing passion. Proud of the research and writing you’ve done here Gram. Keep up the great strides.
Excellent article. I love seeing these scans of the artwork and finding out the context behind them.
I remember referring to this book for a past Mystery Foto, at the Half Hollow Hills Library in Dix Hills. A nice surprise is that The Checkered Flag book the library has was signed by Austin Clark himself, dated 1974. Really appreciate Mr. Helcks Artwork.
Peter Helck made two drawings of Walter Christie in his front drive race cars. I am fortunate to have the original color version shown below.
It’s so hard to imagine these races despite some photos and written descriptions; these images help bring it to life!
Lee, the color version of Christie’s racer,... 2 tires on the front right wheel ?
From Greg O.
Al-
In races where the track is circular or oval, only left-handed turns are made so wider tires are placed on the right side of the car. In Christie’s case, wide tires had yet to be developed so it was necessary to add an entire extra wheel and tire to gain a larger tire contact patch.