Mystery Foto #36 Solved: Louis Chevrolet at the 1906 Ormond-Daytona Races
Paul Osika, a great collector and seller of racing and automobile photos, challenged you to identify this veteran of Vanderbilt Cup Races.
Mystery Foto questions:
- Who is the driver?
Louis Chevrolet
- Which Vanderbilt Cup Races did he particpate in?
Louis particpated in four Vanderbilt Cup Race; 1905, 1908, 1909, and 1910. the most of any driver who participated in the six-year series on Long Island.
- Bonus: Although there was no caption with the original photo, what is your best guess for the location and year? Provide a rationale.
1906 Ormond-Daytona Races held in January 1906 in Ormond Beach, Florida. The March 1906 issue of The Automobile Magazine (posted on Mark Dill's great website Firstsuperspeedway.com) detailed the races. "Chevrolet, a favorite who invariably preserves an unfruffled exterior under the most trying circumstances, was entrusted with the 200 H.P. Darracq taken away from the choleric Hemery, and over the sands he went with a velocity that measured 19 2/5 seconds in time -115.30 miles in 60 minutes. This now rates as the world's gasolene record."
Congrats to Chuck Rudy, Greg O., Billy Dunbar, Steve Lucas, Frank Femenias, Dick Gorman, Gary Hammond, and Lee Stohr (see below Stohr's Stories) for identifying Louis Chervrolet. Kudos to Lee Stohr, Steve Lucas and Billy Dunbar for identifying the location as the Ormond-Daytona Races.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
Stohr's Stories (Submitted by Lee Stohr)
Lee Stohr: In the background you can see Walter Christie in the leather jacket.
The photo must have been taken at the same time as the one shown in this link http://theoldmotor.com/?p=156415 ( see the story that I did for David Greenless Old Motor.)
Howard Kroplick: Amazingly, I believe that is Louis Chevrolet standing to the right of #14!
Comments
I have to believe that is one Louis Chevrolet, racer in 4 Vanderbilt Cup races in ‘05, ‘08, ‘09 and ‘10.
I believe the photo to be 1917. Noting, what appear to be, palm trees in the background it would hint to Florida or southern California. I see his only visit to either place in the AAA zone of races was at Ascot in 1917 where he finished first and third in a Frontenac in two separate races on the same November day, possibly Thanksgiving Day.
All is based on the assumption that is a palm tree…....
Who is the driver?
Louis Chevrolet
Which Vanderbilt Cup Races did he particpate in?
1905, 1908, 1909, & 1910
Bonus: Although there was no caption with the original photo, what is your best guess for the location and year? Provide a rationale.
Unsure. Palm tree in the background and might able to match a southern race, but just a guess from what his age looks like-1915
The driver is Louis Chevrolet, and the photograph was taken at Ormond Beach Florida in January 1906. The car is the front wheel drive Christie machine. Beautiful, razor sharp, early photograph!
That looks like Louis Chevrolet, who participated in four Vandebilt Cup Races: 1905, 1908, 1909, and 1910. Based on the unusual helmet and goggles that he seemed to favor in 1908, I’m guessing that year. Looks to be a palm tree in the background, so I’ll guess Florida, maybe Daytona?
Nice capture. That’s the real Louis Chevrolet caught unsuspecting, none of this smiling paparazzi BS. Somewhere in the south, probably FL
I will call him Louis Chevrolet. He participated in the Vanderbilt cup in 1905, 1908, 1909, 1910.
From Gary Hammond:
Louis Chevrolet
From Lee Stohr:
Hi Howard,
This is a great photo that I’ve never seen before. It shows Louis Chevrolet next to the Christie V4 engined-racer that he drove at Ormond Beach, January 27, 1906. Chevrolet drove the Christie in a 100mile race called the Minneapolis Trophy. Car troubles put him out at around half distance. Chevrolet’s trip was not wasted however, he ended up driving the 200hp Darracq V8 and setting a one mile world record for gasoline cars.
In the background you can see Walter Christie in the leather jacket.
The photo must have been taken at the same time as the one shown in this link http://theoldmotor.com/?p=156415 ( see the story that I did for David Greenless Old Motor. )
Chevrolet participated in the 1905, 08,09 & 1910 Vanderbilt Cup races.
Best regards,
Lee Stohr
Thanks for the mention Howard. Of course you and the other gentlemen are correct. Here is a link to another item on that particular Ormond year and Chevrolet’s participation. http://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/photo-gallery/louis-chevrolet-1905-darracq
As always, keep up the fantastic work!
For the linked J. (mustn’t forget the “J.”!) Walter Christie bio, the picture on Guinea (Woods) Road-cum-Glen Cove Road just north of Jericho Turnpike, I cooked up this similar view:
http://sbiii.com/limpncpx/gwds25no.jpg
Hey, at least there are still wood fences!
Sam, III
You can see the duffle bag behind Chevrolet, to the right, in Paul’s photo, and you can just make out the same bag in the photo that I linked to. It’s to the left of Chevrolet’s shoulder.