Vanderbilt Cup Races

Related Posts

• Mar 16 2024

  VanderbiltCupRaces.com cited in the “Nation of Speed” exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

  The website has been cited as a contributor to the ongoing "Nation of Speed" exhibit, a collaboration between National Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

• Jan 09 2024

  Mystery Friday Foto #1: Solved; The Hazardous Woodbury Turn

  Jena challenged you to identify this Christmas gift from her husband.

• May 15 2023

  Mystery Friday Foto #19 Solved; Old 16 Locomobile celebrating the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race victory in Bridgeport

  Did you identify this celebration?

• Apr 10 2023

  Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: Old 16 at the 1909 Chicago National Motor Show

  The Helck Family Archives challenged you to solve this weekend's Mystery Foto.

• Dec 12 2022

  Mystery Friday Foto #50 Solved: Old 16 and four Vanderbilt Cup Race drivers and mechanicians at the 1948 Antique Auto Show

  The Helck Family Collection challenged you to solve this weekend's Mystery Foto.

• Nov 28 2022

  Update: Mystery Friday Foto #48 Solved: The 1901 Riker Torpedo setting the one-mile land speed record for electrics in Coney Island

  Did you identify this photo from November 16,1901?

• Nov 01 2022

  Profile of George Robertson- Winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  In preparation for Wednesday's Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society Meeting, below is a profile of driver George Robertson.

• Oct 19 2022

  A 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race painting by Peter Helck sold at the RM Sotheby’s October auction in Hershey, Pennsylvania

  Earlier this month RM Sotheby's sold a Peter Helck painting of Old 16 Locomobile and the #12 Thomas competing in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• Oct 17 2022

  Mystery Friday Foto #42 Solved:  1949 AACA Racing Camp dinner featuring Vanderbilt Cup Race drivers

  Did you identify the famous faces in these Helck Family Collection's Mystery Fotos?

• Aug 24 2022

  Exclusive from the Garden City Archives: Old 16 Locomobile taking a turn in the hamlet of Jericho during the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Garden City village historian Bill Bellmer has forwarded this never-before-published photo from the Garden City Archives.

• Dec 11 2021

  Illustration Magazine: The work of Peter Helck. (112 pages)

  Tim Helck has forwarded the news that the current issue of Illustration is devoted solely to the work of his grandfather Peter Helck.

• Nov 09 2021

  Kleiner’s Korner: Three Accidents Involving Motor Parkway Celebrities

  As the automobile industry brought more people to the roadways, an increase in accidents was inevitable. Originally this post was to detail some of the accidents that occurred on the Motor Parkway but there were just too many of which to report.

• Oct 25 2021

  Mystery Foto #43 Solved: George Robertson winning the 1908 Founders Week Cup Race in Irving Morse’s Locomobile

  Art Kleiner challenged you to identify this weekend's Mystery Foto.

• Jul 07 2021

  1908: The Great American Auto Race Comes to Woodbury

  Historian Tom Montalbano has written a wonderful book on the history of Woodbury. With the assistance of VanderbiltCupRaces.com, one chapter highlights the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race and its impact on this hamlet.

• Jun 16 2021

  Kleiner’s Korner: “Big George” Robertson and “Fireball” Glenn Ethridge tell their story of winning the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  At a 1951 dinner in Philadelphia given by "Antique Automobile", Robertson and Ethridge delivered their account of winning the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race in "Old 16" 34 years earlier. With flair and adventure, the attendees got a true flavor of riding along with these racing icons.

• Jan 16 2021

  Kleiner’s Korner: A Commemorative 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Stamp Designed by Walt Gosden

  Discovered in a 1982 publication of "The Best of Old Cars Weekly" was a Henry Austin Clark, Jr. story of a never to be issued stamp commemorating the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race and the winning racer "Old 16". Here is the story behind the stamp as told by its creator…

• Nov 07 2020

  VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: Photos of Old 16 at the 1948 Antique Auto Show from the Helck Family Collection

  Old 16 was the featured vehicle at the Antique Auto Show held from March 8-14, 1948 at the 71st Regiment Armory in Manhattan. Below are never-before published photos of the event from the Helck Family Collection

• Jun 08 2020

  Mystery Foto #23 Solved: 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Winner George Robertson

  Automotive historian Walt Gosden challenged you to identify this weekend's Mystery Foto.

• Dec 17 2019

  Popular Mechanics (February 1938): George Robertson “Making of A Race Driver”

  In a featured cover story in the February 1938 issue of Popular Mechanics (page 178), George Robertson, the winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race, wrote " The Rough Road to Glory". The article described what Robertson believed it takes to become a race driver while highlighting several of his…

• Dec 10 2019

  Alexander Buchan’s Kinetic Sculpture: The Checkered Flag

  The bronze sculpture "The Checkered Flag" is one of the most impressive representations of the 1908 Vanderbilt up Race. This artwork was created by Alexander Buchan, who was featured in the November/December 2019 issue of AutoMobilia.

• Sep 09 2019

  Mystery Foto #36: A Locomobile Limo with a Vanderbilt Cup Radiator Mascot

  This weekend's never before published Mystery Foto needed to be examined very closely.

• Aug 03 2019

  Old 16 Locomobile on Display at the Audrain Automobile Museum in Newport, Rhode Island

  In a rare venture out of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, Old 16 is currently on display at the Audrain Automobile Museum in Newport. I am proud to have contributed to this special exhibit with 17 Vanderbilia items from my collection.

• Jun 26 2019

  Hemmings Classic Car: The Vanderbilt Cup- America’s first internationally recognized road-race

  The August 2019 issue of Hemmings Classic Car features an excellent review of the Vanderbilt Cup Races by Jeff Koch with the assistance of photos from my collection.

• Jun 03 2019

  Mystery Foto #22 Solved: Peter Helck, Golfer Gene Sarazen and Old 16 in 1948

  This weekend's Mystery Foto was taken at a New York celebrity party.

• Aug 04 2018

  Jerry Helck and the Old 16 Locomobile Racer

  Old 16 Locomobile, the winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race, was owned by the Helck family for 55 years from 1942 to 1997. Nobody was photographed more frequently with this historic racer than Jerry Helck.

• Jul 21 2018

  Helck Family Collection: Peter Helck Recalls the Greatest Vintage Car Event in Long Island’s History

  Among the treasures discovered in the Helck Family Collection is an unedited 128-page biographical document written by Peter Helck. In the first post from these memoirs, Peter Helck recalls the 50th anniversary celebration of the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race held on Long Island.

• Jul 11 2018

  Vanderbilia: The Old 16 Locomobile Spoon

  While searching through my Vanderbilia display case, I rediscovered this Old 16 Locomobile spoon. I have no idea who manufactured it and why. Can anyone help?

• Jun 18 2018

  Updated: Mystery Postcard Foto #24 Solved: The Massapequa-Hicksville Road Bridge Under Construction

  My favorite co-author Al Velocci challenged die-hard Motor Parkway fans to solve this difficult Mystery Postcard. Full disclosure: Both Al and I do not have a definitive answer.

• Feb 17 2018

  Helck Family Collection: The 1942 Bill of Sale From Joseph B. Sessions for Old 16

  Another gem of the Helck Family Collection treasure is the original January 30, 1942 bill of sale transferring the 1906 Old 16 Locomobile from the estate of Joseph B. Sessions to Peter Helck .

• Jan 29 2018

  Mystery Painting #4 Solved: A 1962 Peter Helck Painting of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  This weekend's Mystery Friday painting featured an unusual 1962 Peter Helck painting.

• Jan 12 2016

  Hemmings Motor News Needs Your Assistance in Solving This Mini-Old 16 Mystery

  Hemmings Motor News is looking for assistance in solving this Mini-Old 16 mystery found in their hometown of Bennington, Vermont.

• Dec 04 2015

  Holiday Gift of the Week: Old 16 Tin Can Art Coffee Mug

  Steve Wasserman has produced a coffee mug featuring a reproduction of his father's amazing tin can art painting of "Old 16" during the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• Nov 02 2015

  A Salute to the Mets & Mystery Foto #44 Solved: A Gift to George Robertson From Peter Helck

  The owner of this important Peter Helck painting forwarded these images for this weekend's Mystery Foto.

• Feb 07 2015

  Exclusive: Glenn Ethridge in the Isotta Fraschini that Won the 1908 Briarcliff Trophy Stock Car Race

  A relative of Glenn Ethridge, the mechanician of the winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Old 16, has forwarded this photo and requesting assistance:

• Feb 06 2015

  Saturday Search: A Jericho Ford Fire Truck (Updated: 2/15/2015)

  Betsey Murphy, local history librarian for the Jericho Library, is researching this fire truck.

• Jul 05 2014

  Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series #48: Plainview Road Bridge in Central Park (Bethpage)

  The 48th bridge in the series documenting the 60 bridges built by the Long Island Motor Parkway is the Plainview Road Bridge in Central Park (now Bethpage). It was one of the original bridges built for the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• Jun 18 2014

  Another VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: The 1908 Local Pride Cup Presented to George Robertson

  A viewer has forwarded this never before published photo of a cup given to driver George Robertson and requested background information.

• May 28 2014

  Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup Sold for $2,300 on eBay

  A Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup issued by the Locomobile to celebrate their victory in the 1908 race was sold for $2,300 on eBay earlier this month.

• Apr 23 2014

  First Brigade of Irish Volunteers Guard the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course

  The Vanderbilt Cup Race Comission was always looking for ways to keep crowds off the course. For the 1908 race, they hired the First Brigade of Irish Volunteers to guard the course.

• Apr 21 2014

  Mystery Foto #64 Solved:George Robertson & Glenn Ethridge at the 50th Anniversary of the 1904 Race

  This week's Mystery Foto documented a historic event.

• Jan 28 2014

  Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series #43: Massapequa-Hicksville Motor Parkway Bridge in Plainedge

  The 43rd bridge in the series documenting the 60 bridges built by the Long Island Motor Parkway is the Massapequa-Hicksville Road Bridge in Plainedge.

• Dec 30 2013

  Mystery Foto #48 Solved: D.F. Maltby Automobile Garage in Jericho After the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  The final Mystery Foto of 2013 was a previously unpublished image and a bit of a challenge.

• Dec 11 2013

  The Motor Parkway Toll Collection Structures: #11 Massapequa Lodge in Plainedge

  Going west to east, the tenth Motor Parkway toll collection structure was the Massapequa Lodge in Plainedge.

• Dec 07 2013

  Vanderbilia Postcard Series #1: The Locomobile Postcards of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Ron M. Jr: "I love the site. Thank you for your hard work on it. I am a Long Island postcard collector and am wondering if you have a complete 'checklist' of the Long Island Vanderbilt Cup postcards that were produced. I have a few and am interested in learning…

• Dec 05 2013

  Chaos at the Finish of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  The primary goal of the newly built Long Island Motor Parkway for the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race was to keep crowds under control and off the course. Unfortunately, chaos once again prevailed at the end of a Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• Nov 16 2013

  Arcadia Publishing Announces the Availability of the Book “North Hempstead” In January 2014

  My third book "North Hempstead" has been completed and will available for sale on January 20, 2014.

• Nov 12 2013

  Three Legendary Racers at the Henry Ford Museum

  Jim Blanchard has forwarded this photo of three amazing racers from the Racing in America exhibition at the Henry Ford Museum -Old 16, 999 and Sweepstakes.

• Oct 23 2013

  Happy 105th Anniversary- The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  In celebration of the 105th anniversary of the Fourth Vanderbilt Cup Race held on October 24, 1908, here are several of my favorite race images photographed near the grandstand and press box/officials' stand in the Hempstead Plains (now Levittown).

• Sep 17 2013

  Mystery Foto #33 Update: Three Possible Locations for this Rare Photo of “Old 16”

  The Homer Historical Society has submitted this Mystery Foto of "Old 16", the winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• May 20 2013

  Mystery Foto #16 Solved: A 2013 Photo of a Model of Old 16 Locomobile

  This trick Mystery Foto has been solved: It is a 2013 black and white photo of a scratch-built model of "Old 16" built by Frank Schaeffer.

• May 18 2013

  In Search of the Grandstand, Press Box/Officials Stand and Pits in Levittown

  From 1908 to 1910, the center of the auto racing world was a 200-yard strip of the Long Island Motor Parkway in the Hempstead Plains, now Levittown.

• May 14 2013

  Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup Sold on eBay for $2,300

  The small Locomobile Vanderbilt Cups is one of the most collectible of Vanderbilia. A Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup was sold on EBay last week for $2,300.

• Apr 16 2013

  Article “1908: The Great American Auto Race Comes to Syosset/Woodbury” By Tom Montalbano

  Tom Montalbano, author of the the Arcadia book "Syosset", has written this excellent article on the impact of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race on Syosset and Woodbury.

• Feb 12 2013

  Article: “The Cup Races- Recollections of 1904-1905-1906” by Joe Tracy

  VanderbiltCupRaces.com contributor Walter McCarthy has forwarded this July 1944 article by driver Joe Tracy published in Veteran Motor Car Club of America's Bulb Horn. Illustrations were provided by the prominent artist Peter Helck.

• Jan 14 2013

  Three Amazing Photos from the Starting Line of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Three amazing photos of cars preparing for the start of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. Courtesy of Paul Osika.

• Jan 28 2012

  George Robertson’s Last Practice Run

  After skipping the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup Race, the 1908 winner George Robertson was preparing for a triumphant return in the 1910 Race driving a Benz. His hopes for a repeat win and his future racing career were dashed with one of the strangest accidents in Vanderbilt Cup Race history.

• Jan 21 2012

  From the Malcolm Collum Collection: More Classic Images of “Old 16”

  When he was conservator at the Henry Ford Museum, Malcolm Collum was responsible for the care and maintenance of "Old 16". Now chief conservator at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, Malcolm is sharing six classic "Old 16" images on VanderbiltCupRaces.com: :

• Jan 17 2012

  Classic Photos of “Old 16” Locomobile

  The most photographed car in all the Vanderbilt Cup Races was the 1908 winner "Old 16" Locomobile. Among my collection of over 250 "Old 16" images, these are ten of my favorites taken during the race:

• Dec 30 2011

  Archives: Old 16 Locomobile

  Below are related links to Old 16 Locomobile on VanderbiltCupRaces.com (Updated: February 1, 2012):

• Nov 26 2011

  Film “The Greatest Vintage Automobile Event Ever Held on Long Island”

  In my opinion, the greatest vintage automobile event ever held on Long Island occurred on October 9, 1954 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Vanderbilt Cup Race. The event was organized by Long Island Old Car Club and the Mineola Fair and Industrial Exposition.

• Nov 19 2011

  The 50th Anniversary of the First Vanderbilt Cup Race on October 9, 1954

  The Vanderbilt Cup Races have been celebrated by vintage car clubs and historical organizations for over 75 years. The grandest and most memorable celebration was held on Long Island on October 9, 1954, marking the 50th anniversary of the first Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• Aug 27 2011

  A Tribute to the Mechanicians of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

  Every race car that participated in the Vanderbilt Cup Races of 1904 to 1910 carried two men, the driver and a riding mechanic called a mechanician. The mechanician assisted with repairs, helped navigate the course, and, when needed, worked a hand pump to maintain fuel pressure. The mechanician was the…

• Aug 13 2011

  Collectorsweekly.com Show & Tell: The Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup Race Poster

  Last week Mark L. posted this request for information on Collectorsweekly.com Show & Tell and VanderbiltCupRaces.com .

• Dec 04 2010

  The Mystery Segments in the Film “Old 16- An American Legend”

  The November 14th post -1997 Exhibit and Film “Old 16- An American Legend”- recorded the second highest daily viewership in VanderbiltCupRaces.com history. The primary attraction was the exhibit's film on Old 16 narrated by Paul Newman.

• Nov 16 2010

  Old 16 Fun Facts from the Henry Ford Museum

  When the Henry Ford Museum introduced the Old 16: An American Legend exhibit in 1997, they developed a press kit with information on the car, the exhibit and the Vanderbilt Cup Races. Here is the "Old 16 Fun Facts" sheet from the press kit (courtesy of The Henry Ford):

• Nov 12 2010

  1997 Exhibit and Film “Old 16- An American Legend”

  After obtaining Old 16 from Jerry Helck in 1997, the Henry Ford Museum developed a multimedia exhibit to display the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race winner. The elaborate exhibit included a simulation of the Long Island Motor Parkway, display cases, three figures dressed in 1908 period race clothing and a…

• Nov 08 2010

  Detroit Road Trip: Old 16, the Ford Quadricyle, 999, Ford Factories and the Jets!

  I spent a really fun weekend in Detroit. Here are my "road trip" highlights:

• Aug 01 2010

  Archives: 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Links to related posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com (Updated: December 31, 2011):

• Mar 30 2010

  The Six Winners of the Vanderbilt Cup Races (1904-1910)

  These are the six winners of the Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910:

• Mar 10 2010

  Article “Driving The Ford” & the Future of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Winner

  The Spring 2010 issue of Hagerty's magazine profiles Bob Casey, curator of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. The article "Driving "The Ford" describes the current condition of Old 16 and speculates about its future.

• Mar 03 2010

  Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup Radiator Mascot Sold on EBay for $1,225

  On March 1, 2010, an Ebay action was held on a 1909 Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup radiator mascot. Despite its relatively poor condition, the winning price was $1,225 with ten bidders participating.

  
  

• Feb 18 2010

  Then & Now: The Locomobile Factory in Bridgeport

  Old 16, the first American car to win a Vanderbilt Cup Race, was manufactured directly across the Long Island Sound in Bridgeport. Here are some photos of the Locomobile factory, one of the largest automobile manufacturing plants of its era. Remember to click on the photo to…

• Feb 06 2010

  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…

• Jan 14 2010

  Another Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup on Ebay

  As noted by J. D. Marklin, another miniature Vanderbilt Cup mascot celebrating the 1908 victory by Locomobile is up for auction on Ebay. With less than two days remaining, the current bid is $1,525.

• Sep 23 2009

  Film “Old 16 Locomobile”

  This five-minute film pays tribute to an American racing legend, Old 16, winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• May 01 2009

  Old 16 Rides Again In Dearborn: September 2008

  For the 58th Annual Old Car Festival held September 6th & 7th, 2008 held at the Henry Ford, Old 16 was brought out and driven for the last time before being permanently retired to static exhibit according to the Youtube description.

• Feb 24 2009

  Old 16 at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours

  Old 16, the first American car to win the Vanderbilt Cup Race, made a rare appearance outside the Henry Ford Museum at the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance last October. Conceptcarz.com has done another wonderful job documenting the event through photos and a summary article.