Mystery Friday Foto #10 Solved: Willie K. in the 1902 Paris to Vienna Race in his Mors
Harold Vanek in the Netherlands challenged you to solve this weekend's Mystery postcard.
Answers to the Mystery Foto questions:
Identify the following;
- The driver and his age
24-year old William K. Vanderbilt, Jr.
- The racer
- Year
1902
- Kudos: Name the race
Comments (3)
Congrats and Kudos to Dick Gorman and Steve Lucas for correctly identify 24-year old Willie K in his Mors.
Greg O. and Howard Kroplick
1902 Paris to Vienna Race- William K. Vanderbilt, Jr.
Willie K in the 1902 Paris to Vienna race in his #107 Mors car. Note; His hat and jacket. In these 2 photos his hat is turned around backwards.
Willie K. is far right.
A Log of My Motor 1899-1908-William HK. Vanderbilt, Jr.
The 1902 Paris to Vienna Race was one of the first contests captured on film.
Comments
Mystery Foto #10… The driver in the photo is 24 year old William K Vanderbilt Jr., The racer is Willy K’s 60 hp Mors and the year is 1902.
The race he was participating in was the Paris to Vienna run which included the 1902 edition of the James Gordon Bennett Cup.
Willy had much car trouble in the is race and was unable to finish.
Maybe this is Herb Lytle. Age 32 if this picture was taken in 1906. He would be a “familiar face” due to the fact that he participated in more Vanderbilt associated races than anyone else (6). As for the race, my only guess is that maybe he is practicing for the 1906 American Elimination Race.
That looks like a very young (pre-moustache) Willie K. Since I think this photo was taken at the 1902 Paris To Vienna race, that would make Willie K. 24 years old. He is probably sitting in his 1902 Mors.
Great story, I have Wille K. also setting a speed record in the Mors August 4th 1902 at Ablis at 76.08 mph. From the Cyril Posthomus Land Speed book. Could some one check the Motoring Log to see if this Vanderbilt encounter could be true. It would have to be before May 31, 1902 as that was when the Baker Torpedo crashed in Staten Island at a speed event. I am helping a friend research a book on the two Baker electric racers. Any insights appreciated
I hope you don’t mind me mentioning that we have a book available on the race if anyone is interested.
https://rareandunique.media/product/the-1902-dedietrich-the-paris-vienna-race/