Vanderbilt Cup Races

Related Posts

• Mar 23 2024

  The Irish Volunteers at the Vanderbilt Cup Races

  Author and Mitchel Field historian Paul R. Martin III's wonderful excerpt from his book 'Beneath the Shadows of Wings' about the Irish Volunteers and the Vanderbilt Cup Races

• Nov 07 2023

  A 1906 Souvenir Scrapbook sold at the 2023 Hershey RM Auction

  A souvenir scrapbook was recently sold with many previously unpublished Vanderbilt Cup Race images.

• Aug 11 2021

  Greg O’s Garage; From the Helck Family Collection: The official 1904 Vanderbilt Cup race program

  The complete 1904 race program

• May 12 2020

  A Keystone View of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Some of the best documentation of history from 1892 to 1963 was conducted by the photographers of the Keystone View Company of Meadville, Pennsylvania. Among Keystone's subjects were the Vanderbilt Cup Races of Long Island including this wonderful photo from the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• Nov 13 2019

  Garden City Archives: The “Snake Turn” of the 1908-1910 Courses of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

  As a follow-up to Mystery Foto #45, my favorite co-author Al Velocci and I visited Garden City historian Bill Bellmer and reviewed the one-of-a kind 1908 Motor Parkway Construction Book. Below is documentation of the "Snake Turn" of the 1908-1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race courses.

• Aug 27 2018

  Update #1: Mystery Foto #34 Solved: Floral Park During the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  This weekend's Mystery Foto documented a great viewing location for a Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• Mar 26 2018

  Mystery Foto #12 Solved: William Lutgen’s Mercedes at a Pit Stop During the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Mitch Hackett challenged you to solve this Vanderbilt Cup Race Mystery Foto.

• Aug 05 2017

  The 16 Mercedes Race Cars of the Vanderbilt Cup Races of Long Island

  Mercedes was one of the most successful marques in the early history of automobile racing. Despite participating in all six Long Island Vanderbilt Cup Races and entering more automobiles than any other marque (16), a Mercedes never finished in the top three places.

• Jan 02 2017

  Mystery Foto #53 Solved: A Rare Look Inside William K. Vanderbilt Jr.‘s Long Island Garage in 1904

  This holiday weekend's Mystery Foto was a never-before-published image from the Helck Family Collection, gifted from Joel Finn in 1970.

• Nov 22 2016

  The Incredible Vanderbilt Cup Races on Long Island: The Role of Hicksville Updated: 11/22/16

  Great turnout for tonight's special "Incredible Vanderbilt Cup Races" presentation highlighting the role of Hicksville in the races. The program was sponsored by the Hicksville Historical Society and held in the Hicksville Public Library within walking distance of the Vanderbilt Cup Race courses for the 1904, 1909 and 1910 races.

• Aug 09 2016

  October 23, 1958 Newsday: The Races That Made History

  On the 50th anniversary of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race, Newsday published a celebratory article "The Races That Made History." The article is particularly noteworthy because it included one of the last interviews with George Robertson, the winner of the 1908 race.

• Jul 27 2016

  Translation: October 1904 La Stampa Sportiva: The Vanderbilt Cup

  Professor Pau Medrano Bigas, Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Barcelona, has forwarded several articles on William K. Vanderbilt Jr. and the Vanderbilt Cup Races from the Italian magazine La Stampa Sportiva published from 1902 to 1910.

• Jun 21 2016

  Translation: December 1906 Les Sports Modernes: The Vanderbilt Cup in America

  Professor Pau Medrano Bigas, Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Barcelona, has forwarded an article on the Vanderbilt Cup Race from a December 1906 French magazine Les Sportes Modernes. Sam Berliner III has provided its English translation.

• Mar 21 2016

  Mystery Foto #12 Solved: A Memorable Moment at Krug’s Corner at the 1906 American Elimination Trial

  This weekend's Mystery Foto documented a surprising, memorable moment at Krug's Corner in Mineola.

• Jan 14 2015

  Video: “The Ellison Avenue LIRR Bridge of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course”

  The Velocity Channel's 2013 AmeriCARna "Vanderbilt Cup" episode focused on the six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island and the Vanderbilt Cup trophy. This three-minute segment highlighted the Elllison Avenue LIRR Bridge on the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race course and the creation of the Long Island Motor Parkway.

• Jan 03 2015

  The Unsolved Mystery of William K. Vanderbilt Jr.‘s 90-HP Mercedes Automobile(s) (1904-1908)

  From 1904 to 1908, William K. Vanderbilt Jr. owned 90-HP Mercedes automobile(s) which he used as race car, a hill climber and a course patrol car. The mystery is determining how many 90-HP Mercedes did Willie K. actually own during this period; 1,2,3 or 4?

• Dec 27 2014

  VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive:The 1908 Race Album of William Luttgen & William K. Vanderbilt, Jr.

  William Luttgen participated in four Vanderbilt Cup Races, three as a driver (1904, 1906, and 1908) and one as a mechanician (1905). Today, I met with his grandson Robert Luttgen of Key Biscayne, Florida, who brought along a rare photo album of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• Dec 15 2014

  Mystery Foto #98 Solved:The #4 Chadwick on the Ellison Road RR Bridge During 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Frank Femenias has forwarded this weekend's Mystery Foto that he discovered while searching the Detroit Public Library's National Automotive Collection.

• Apr 30 2014

  Newsday “LIRR bridge replacement proposed in Westbury”

  The MTA is proposing to build a new bridge over the LIRR tracks at Ellison Avenue in Westbury for $39.2 million. The 1899 bridge was used as part of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race course.

• Apr 05 2014

  Vanderbilt Cup Race Historical Marker Unveiling Ceremony to be Held on Saturday, April 26, 2014

  The Floral Park Historical Society has announced an unveiling ceremony for a Vanderbilt Cup Race Historical Marker on Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 12;00 pm to 2:30 pm.

• Feb 14 2014

  Film of the Week: “Crazy Cars: 1906 -1950”

  Sam Berliner III, the convenor (and father) of the Long Island Motor Parkway Panel, has forwarded this week's film of the week.

• Dec 21 2013

  The Vanderbilt Cup Race Fantasy Team

  Wiliam K. Vanderbilt Jr loved competitive sports and was a member of his St. Mark's Preparatory School's football team (first row, far right).

• 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.

• 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).

• Jul 06 2013

  Then & Now: The Massapequa Turn for the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  One of the most exciting locations to watch the first Vanderbilt Cup Race was the turn from Massapequa-Hicksville Road onto the new Bethpage-Hempstead Turnpike in present day Plainedge. Here's the "Then & Now."

• Feb 25 2013

  Mystery Photo Solved #3: The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race on Ellison Road (Avenue) in Westbury

  Last Friday's mystery photos of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race were courtesy of the Witmer Photograph Collection of the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society in Port Washington.

• Feb 13 2013

  Watching the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race in Floral Park

  Walt Gosden, Village Historian of Floral Park, has provided these photos from the village archives. The race photos were taken from the Creedmoor Branch Railroad Bridge over Jericho Turnpike.

• Jan 08 2013

  Mechanician Joe Marx in the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Jack T: "I was going through some of my Dad's (age 87) pictures and found two photos of the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race. It appears my great-grandfather, Joe Marx, was a mechanic for the #7 car driven by William Luttgen. "

• Dec 15 2012

  Then & Now: The Home of Driver Foxhall Keene in Old Westbury

  The hometown favorite of the 1905 and 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Races was millionaire sportsman and Wall Street broker Foxhall Keene. Keene lived just one mile north of the 1904 and 1906 starting lines in his Old Westbury estate called “Rosemary Hall.” The house still stands today.

• Oct 08 2012

  108th Anniversary of the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Monday marked the 108th anniversary of the first Vanderbilt Cup Race on October 8, 1904. In celebration of this historic race, here are the two-minute American Biograph film of the race and several of my favorite 1904 race images.

• Jun 28 2012

  Images from the George McKesson Brown Scrapbook: The 1906 #7 Mercedes

  Ro: "Howard, would you have additional pictures of the George McKesson Brown, or his auto? Thank you for posting what you have of the McKesson Brown scrapbook!!"

• Apr 04 2012

  Then & Now: The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course Through Hicksville

  Richard Althaus, President, Hicksville Gregory Museum: "I am interested to know if you have any info especially photos in regards to Hicksville in your collection. Mainly the 1904 race, where they had to traverse the railroad in Hicksville, not far from the station. Any info you have would be appreciated."

• Jan 31 2012

  Then & Now: Krug’s Corner in Mineola

  Krug's Hotel, on the north-west corner of Jericho Turnpike and Willis Avenue in Mineola, was a favorite viewing site for the 1904, 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races. This Then & Now look found a rarity- A building on the Vanderbilt Cup Race course that is still standing!

• Dec 12 2011

  Starting Lineup: The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Eighteen racers participated in the first Vanderbilt Cup Race held on October 8, 1904. Photos of 17 of the 18 entrants at the Westbury starting line on Jericho Turnpike are shown here for the first time. The #10 Fiat arrived late at the starting line and began with a running…

• Dec 10 2011

  Then & Now: The 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race “S Turn” in Albertson

  One of the most exciting places to watch the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race was the "S Turn" at the intersection of I.U.Willets Road and Willis Avenue in Albertson.

• Oct 12 2011

  The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race Tickets Purchased by the Owner of the #7 Mercedes Entry

  Just ten days before the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race, pharmaceutical magnate George McKesson Brown of Huntington purchased the #7 Mercedes to compete in the race. Excited by his new acquistion, Brown commissioned photographers Spooner and Wells to document his new Mercedes in a scrapbook with photos taken before and after…

• 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…

• Jan 28 2011

  Film “The William Luttgen Story (1877-1965)”

  Relatives of William Luttgen, who participated in the Vanderbilt Cup Races from 1904 to 1908, met earlier this month for a family reunion. As part of the celebration, this 4-minute film was created documenting the career of this road racing pioneer.

• Jan 17 2011

  A Family Remembers a Vanderbilt Cup Race Driver- William Luttgen

  From Lisa Conley: "Howard, I finally can answer your question about what my grandfather William Luttgen did after he quit racing. I got a lot of stories from several family members over the past year and have compiled them. Thanks for all the fun and sharing!"

• Jan 14 2011

  The American Mercedes Manufactured in Astoria Queens

  Most car enthusiasts do not realize that an American Mercedes automobile was manufactured by the Daimler Manufacturing Company in Astoria, Queens from 1905 to 1907.

• Aug 11 2010

  The Pits of the 1908-1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races

  Robert Richer comments: "Yes, there was a time when the “pit men” who serviced the cars were actually in a pit below the racing surface. What a terrifying view it must have been."

• Aug 01 2010

  Archives: 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

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

• Aug 01 2010

  Archives: 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Links to related posts on VanderbiltCupRaces.com (Updated: February 1, 2012):

• Aug 01 2010

  Archives: 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Links to posts related to the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race (Updated: December 31, 2011):

• Jul 31 2010

  Archives: William Luttgen

  Links to posts related to William Luttgen:

• Jul 20 2010

  From the George McKesson Scrapbook: Preparing the #7 Mercedes for the 1906 Race

  As posted last week, pharmacuetical magnate George McKesson purchased a Mercedes racer just ten days before the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race. Brown immediately commissioned photographers Spooner & Wells to document his car before and during the race. The following photos show driver William Luttgen and his mechanican Marx…

• Jul 13 2010

  Found-The 1906 George McKesson Brown Scrapbook

  Just ten days before the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race, pharmaceutical magnate George McKesson Brown of Huntington purchased the #7 Mercedes to compete in the race. He selected veteran driver William Luttgen (left) and his mechanician Joe Marx (right) to lead his racing team.

• Feb 10 2010

  The Vanderbilt Cup Race Pits: An American Innovation

  One innovation of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race was the first use of service racing pits in an American automobile race.

• 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…

• Dec 30 2009

  Starting Lineup: The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  For the last post of 2009, here are the 17 cars that competed in the third Vanderbilt Cup Race held on October 6,1906. The race was won by the #10 Darracq driven by Louis Wagner. Remember to click on the photos to enlarge the image.

• Nov 07 2009

  Driver Profile: William Luttgen Part IV -The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  In response to a Luttgen family request, this week I have been profiling William Luttgen, who participated in four Vanderbilt Cup Races as a driver and mechanician. Prior posts included his initial success as a driver (1904), his dramatic experince as a mechanician (1905) and his…

• Nov 06 2009

  Driver Profile: William Luttgen Part III-The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  In response to his granddaughter's request, this week have been profiling William Luttgen, who participated in four Vanderbilt Cup Races as a driver and mechanician. In Thursday's post, I described Luttgen's background growing up in Germany and his success drive in the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race. In…

• Nov 06 2009

  Driver Profile: William Luttgen Part II:  The 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  In a request from his granddaughter, yesterday I began a profile on William Luttgen, who participated in four Vanderbilt Cup Races from 1904 to 1908. Today's second installment focuses on the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

• Nov 04 2009

  Driver Profile: William Luttgen Part I: The 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race

  Lisa, thanks for the email. William Luttgen participated in four Vanderbilt Cup Races, three as a driver (1904, 1906, and 1908) and one as a mechanician (1905). According to the magazine Antique Automobile, when he died at the age of 88 in 1965, he was “the last living participant…

• Mar 10 2008

  Film “The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race”

  The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race was one of the most exciting sporting events of its era- drawing over 200,000 spectators to Long Island. This rare film shows the race action among the French, Italian, German and American cars at the grandstand on Jericho Turnpike in Westbury and the Hairpin Turn…

• Mar 04 2008

  Film “1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race”

  Welcome to VanderbiltCupRaces.com! In one of the earliest sports films ever made, the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Race action was captured by cameramen G.W. Bitzer and A.E. Weed of the American Mutoscope & Biograph Company in Westbury and Plainedge.