Update: Photos of the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Races from the Philadelphia Free Library
These 11 photos are courtesy of the Automotive Reference Collection of the Philadelphia Free Library.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race
View of the course looking northwest
Great view of the grandstand during the 1936 race.
The winner Tazio Nuvolari in the #8 Alfa Romeo.
Nuvolari on the right. Can anyone identify the person on the left?
Aldo Zano: The other driver with Nuvolari is Giuseppe “Nino” Farina (1906-1966), third driver of the Scuderia Ferrari Alfa Romeo, ninth on the grid and DNF. He became the first F1 world champion in 1951, driving the works Alfa Romeo 158
1937 Vanderbilt Cup Race
The starting first row of the race:
#12 Mercedes-Benz Rudolf Caracciola
#4 Auto Union Bernd Rosemeyer
#14 Alfa Romeo Rex Mays
Aldo Zano: The driver looking at the photographer while mechanics work on the engine is Attilio Marinoni, chief mechanic of Alfa Romeo and reserve driver on the Italian cars. The photo was taken during early practice, as it could be seen by the missing race number and national flag.
Bernd Rosemeyer during a practice run. Note the swastika on the side of his racer.
Rosemeyer accepting the huge George Vanderbilt trophy after winning the race
Richard Seaman in the #15 Mercedes-Benz
Correction per Aldo Zano: The no.18 Auto Union was taken at the Karussel corner of the Nuerburgring circuit, Germany, during the Eifelrennen 1936, June 14..Rosemeyer, driving, won and received the title of “Nebelmeister” (master of fog) having won in appalling conditions of rain and fog.
Dedication of Roosevelt Raceway
Can anyone identify this race at Roosevelt Raceway?
Answer: As confirmed below from the Cradle of Aviation Archives, this photo documented the 1936 dedication ceremony for the race track.
Courtesy of the Cradle of Aviation Archives.
Comments
The car in front may be the 1934 Studebaker Indy Team car.
In photo 4 above, it looks like Bernd Rosemeyer is on the left.
I question the identification of Cummings #18 (1937 photo 6)
Auto Union
Sieber: it looks more like a Bugatti rad and wheels in the unknown race. Bug fans might be able to help the race year / event question.
$0.02
last photo of the ‘36 group. It could be Hans Stuck. A few pictures of them together in 1936 . See the Nixon book, page 121
check that, Auto Union and MB did not enter the ‘36 race
Without a doubt, the winning car in the unknown race photo is a Bugatti. I haven’t turned up any info about the race, but there are a few curious things about the photo. Firstly, the track is dirt. The vehicles racing appear to be too old to be racers of the day. Passenger cars and people ON the track, are just a few of the things that are a bit puzzling. I’m thinking this must have just been some sort of fun, exhibition type of race with some older racers, but have come up empty handed on searching any #31 Bugatti racers at Roosevelt Raceway.
Howard, The North Shore Historical Museum is having an on line video lecture Tuesday, Dec. 1, on Louis Comfort Tiffany and Laurelton Hall. The lecture will be given by a great grandson, I believe at 7 p.m.
Aldo Zana
Many thanks for mailing the newsletter I always enjoy reading.
About the Vanderbilt Cup photos:
1. The no.8 Alfa Romeo is the 12C-36 driven by Antonio “Tonino” Brivio Sforza (1905-1995), 1936 poleman and third classified due to an scheduled pitstop a few laps before finish to fasten the right cover of the engine bay.
2. The other driver with Nuvolari is Giuseppe “Nino” Farina (1906-1966), third driver of the Scuderia Ferrari Alfa Romeo, ninth on the grid and DNF. He became the first F1 world champion in 1951, driving the works Alfa Romeo 158
3. The driver looking at the photographer while mechanics work on the engine is Attilio Marinoni, chief mechanic of Alfa Romeo and reserve driver on the Italian cars. The photo was taken during early practice, as it could be seen by the missing race number and national flag.
4. The photo of the no.18 Auto Union was taken at the Karussel corner of the Nuerburgring circuit, Germany, during the Eifelrennen 1936, June 14..Rosemeyer, driving, won and received the title of “Nebelmeister” (master of fog) having won in appalling conditions of rain and fog.
Hope to have been helpful.
Have a nice Sunday.
All the best.
Aldo
Post has been updated with information form Aldo Zano and race films.
Howard, Spent some of Sunday afternoon at Raymond Court in Garden City. The Village has cleared and exposed about 50 feet of the concrete extension west of the parking field. After doing some clearing, the Parkway ROW is now walkable westward to where there are some downed wires. Just before that point, there is a cleared pathway to the rear of the house on the east end of Vanderbilt Court. I’m guessing the occupants make use of the Parkway ROW for walking, jogging, etc.,
Pic from a few weeks ago.
The picture shown of the unknown race have the cars going clockwise at the finish line, not counterclockwise as most track races are run ?
Curious about Bernd Rosemeyer, he unfortunately died in a 1938 race. His wife of 2 years, Elly Beinhorn ( 1936 - 1938 ) was an accomplished aviatrix and lived to be a century old ( 1907 - 2007 ). Much more about them with web search.
WOW, amazing info keeps pouring in with photos never seen before! Great stuff. Al, looking forward to walking the GC RoW once again. It’s long overdue. New 1938 race pics are incredible. Amazing stuff!
Amazing stuff and details!
A photo of the 1936 dedication of Roosevelt Raceway was added.
That blue stone parking lot is an eye sore over original Motor Parkway roadway. A better design/solution could’ve been had. Shameful respect for historical artifacts of the earliest samples of automotive history. Please Garden City make amendments!