The Vanderbilt Cup Races

The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day. These exciting and dangerous races were the first international automobile road races held in the United States, drawing huge crowds from 25,000 to over 250,000 spectators. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways and are a testament to the early racing spirit and drama.

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Saturday,3/13/10: Vanderbilia to be Displayed at Upcoming Museum of the City of New York Exhibition

posted on Friday, March 12 2010 by Howard kroplick

"Cars, Culture and the City," opening at the Museum of the City of New York on March 25th, will be the first exhibition to "document New York's role in the promotion, marketing, and proliferation of the automobile as well as its transformative effect on the city and, ultimately, the country." The exhibit has been reviewed at core77.com, a design resource website.

Vanderbilia from the Vanderbilt Cup Races and the Long Island Motor Parkway will be displayed in the exhibit including these six items:

Vanderbilt Cup Race Broadside: Original textile promoting the 1905 American Elimination Race and the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race

1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race Board Game: Based on the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course showing details of towns on the Long Island course. Game was manufactured by Bowers & Hard, Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Official Program Scorecard and Guide 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race: Guide provided information on the race, maps, car and automobile supply ads and a cardboard scorecard. The programs sold for 25 cents.

1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Tiffany Plaque: The rarest memorabilia from the Vanderbilt Cup Races are the 22 oval bronze plaques produced by Tiffany & Company from 1904 to 1916. The race sponsors produced two plaques for each race that were presented to the winning driver and manufacturer. This plaque was given to driver George Robertson for winning the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup Paperweight: To celebrate “Old #16”, the first American winner of the Vanderbilt Cup Races, the Locomobile Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut produced a sterling silver paperweight.

1928 Long Island Motor Parkway License Plate: A porcelain “Easy-Pass” for the Long Island Motor Parkway. Cars with this pass indicated that their owners had paid a yearly fee and were allowed to pass the toll lodges without paying an additional fee. During the 1920s, the Long Island Motor Parkway would supply two No. 25 plates free every year to the National Highway Association which was formed for the betterment of highways.

Enjoy the weekend,

Howard Kroplick

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Feedback and contributions are much appreciated on VanderbiltCupRaces.com . Please leave your comments at the end of a post on the Blog or send an email to me at Howard@Kroplick.com .

Future Howard Kroplick and Black Beast Events

-March 25, 2010 to August 8, 2010, Exhibition "Cars, Culture and the City", Museum of the City of New York

-Monday, March 22, 2010: Presentation "The Incredible Vanderbilt Cup Races" by Howard Kroplick. Restored Rusty Relics Car Club, St Matthew's Episcopal Church, 167 Spring Valley Road, Paramus, New Jersey, 8:00 PM. To benefit Child Abuse Prevention Services.

-Sunday, April 11, 2010, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Fifth Annual Spring Car Show Fundraiser, Smithtown. To benefit the St. Patrick School.

-Saturday, May 15, 2010: National Police Week Family Day, 1490 Franklin Avenue, Mineola. To celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Nassau County Police Department.

-Sunday, July 18, 2010, New York AutoFest 3, Hicksville. To benefit St. Paul the Apostle Knights of Columbus Council 6802.

-Sunday, August 8, 2010: Third Annual Vanderbilt Autocross, Roosevelt Field, East Garden City

-Sunday, September 12, 2010: The LI Moose Classic Car Club's 10th Anniversary Show, Mattituck. To benefit the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge, #1742.