About
The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day, and the first international automobile road races held in the United States. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways. This site provides comprehensive information on the races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and current Long Island automotive events, car shows and news.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
Oh well, all streaks must come to an end sooner or later.
From Mystery Friday Foto #19 Solved: The Wreck of George Arents Jr.
October 8, 1904, first Vanderbilt Cup Race. Mercedes. George Arents, Jr. was the driver, Carl Menzel was the mechanic. On the second lap of the race Arents blew a tire on the Queens corner and the car overturned. Both Arents and Menzel were thrown from the car. Arents was injured but survived, Menzel died, the first fatality at the first Vanderbilt Cup Race. August 1957, in practice for the first race at the newly constructed Bridgehampton Racecourse, grandson, George Arents crashed his Ferrari on his second lap. The Ferrari overturned but he and his passenger, Timothy Patrick, were not seriously injured.
From Mystery Friday Foto #19 Solved: The Wreck of George Arents Jr.
Hi guys. Since that parkway was a large part of my life, i think I should be there. And should buy the book, too. Bob A
From Hold the Date Thursday, June 25, 2026 : A Special Evening with the Howard and Al at 150 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge
I think that’s the 1906 Christie 100HP racer that was entered in the 1906 American Elimination trials. It was driven by J. Walter Christie with Lewis Strang as the mechanician. No injuries were reported. I think it was the first V-4 front wheel drive car entered in an international race. As to the Bridgehampton connection: no idea after considerable research.
From Mystery Friday Foto #19 Solved: The Wreck of George Arents Jr.
Correction - got the year of Bob Blakeman’s Lincoln sedan typed wrong, the car was a 1934. Dark blue and was one of the most beautiful spectacular cars I have ever seen.
From The 1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Sedan Convertible Berline attends the Town of Oyster Bay Tobay Beach Car Show
Brucee Blakeman’s father Bob had at least three prewar cars, a 1932 Cadillac V16 town car, 1937 Lincoln 7 passenger sedan, 1930 Pierce Arrow town sedan. Bob and I were friends, and each week would go to the cruise in in West Hempstead on Dogwood Avenue. We took turns buying each other a cup of coffee. We would then sit on the running boards of our cars and have great conversations about cars and people. He was a real gentleman and fun guy to spend time with. Do the Dogwood Avenue cruise nights still take place?
From The 1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Sedan Convertible Berline attends the Town of Oyster Bay Tobay Beach Car Show
I don’t plan on being on LI that day, but I’ll be with you guys in spirit! I would image the facility has live video/audio capabilities such as zoom - just a thought!
From Hold the Date Thursday, June 25, 2026 : A Special Evening with the Howard and Al at 150 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge
Thanks Art, for that Newsday article by Bill Bleyer in 2005, that long ago, WOW!
You moved to NC 5 years ago, you’re a newbie. It been going on for many years many from here move there upon retirement like many from Grumman I heard. IT’S AFFORDABLE! DAMM TAX’S!
From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City
The House that’s shown in the last photo, wasn’t built until 1985 ( year I graduated High School ) The homes on either side were built in the late 1950’s, early 60’s. So for many years, the land was deemed “not buildable”, mostly because of the Transmission Tower Line directly above the west embankment. You’ll notice in the image below that the house is lower in height than the house next door.
From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City
Shameful - but that’s progress I guess. I’m experiencing that here in NC where thousands of acres of timberland are being clear cut for new housing communities. Too many northerners moving here! But I can’t complain - that was me about 5 years ago!
Mark - I found Newsday articles (2005 and 2008) with pictures of Sam in Manhasset and Bethpage. The first in Manhasset was with an article written by Bill Bleyer.
From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City
I remembered the late Sam Berlina lll at the same possible location speaking in a photo speaking to Newsday reporter Bill Bleyer in this VCR website? I tried ‘Search’, no record.
From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City
HI Howard,
Thanks for reminding me of how great Joni Mitchel was!
I ended up listing to hours of her music & stories of her life.
Great memories.
Best regards,
MartyZ
From Upcoming Automotive Events -May 2026
I often say it with music when I write, and your musical choice is perfect for this area as y’all describe it, but with which I am not familiar. Here in Huntington, the song can be played for many places. including those of the old trolley system on what is now NY Ave, the Old Walt Whitman Road, and mostly one side of Rte. 110 (the west side, I believe). Vintage places and things not only preserve the past, but enlighten the future.
From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City
The two spectators on the right are Jerry Seinfeld and our very own president of the LIMPPS, Howard Kroplick. The lady on the left is Juliana Terian. The event was the annual classic car exhibition at “The Bridge” on 9/14/24. I believe the silver sports car is an Aston Martin DB-6 while the antique car could be a 1905 Fiat 60 HP Touring Car. I think Howard had his 1963 “Shorty” Mustang III at that event.
From Mystery Friday Foto #18 Solved: Happy Spectators at The Bridge VIII in 2024
Great photos Howard. Can’t believe it’s been 9 years since that exploration day, which at the time, was the first time I had been back there since 1983. I think of Joni Mitchell’s words also every time I see something like that. And very upsetting to realize that we were lied to by the Village of Garden City.
From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City
The two gentlemen on the right: Jerry Seinfeld and Howard Kroplick
The event and date: Pebble Beach 2017
The make and model silver car: Aston Martin DBS
Which car from the Kroplick Collection attended that event? The Tucker…
From Mystery Friday Foto #18 Solved: Happy Spectators at The Bridge VIII in 2024
It’s very disappointing to see that the village failed to follow through on clearing the site and preserving as much as possible. Not surprising however. Thanks for the update Howard!
From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City
I drove by the LIMP crossing of Westbury Avenue. I knew they built the drainage sump, but it looked as if they made it much larger, and possibly removed some of the old pavement. I will have to go back to take a closer look. Has anyone else seen this?
From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City
That particular site was my son Gram’s first understanding that the motor parkway existed beyond our hometown Alley Pond location.
Guy
From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City
Wonderful piece & pics of Garden City Section. Keep up good work you Vanderbilt Pkwy Finders !
From Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City
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