Here's a link to a huge archive which contains some lovely motor racing shots from the early part of last century. Look under 'automobile racing'. There's also a great shot of a steam roller preparing the banking at indianapolis and some terrific aeroplanes - apologies if it's been posted before...
http://lcweb2.loc.go...Subjects01.html
Wonderful old photos
Started by
smarjoram
, Nov 08 2005 14:30
18 replies to this topic
#3
Gary C
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Posted 08 November 2005 - 17:20
these are wonderfully atmospheric photos!
#4
Kvadrat
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Posted 09 November 2005 - 03:56
There's a question on this picture: http://memory.loc.go...1400/01457v.jpg
Original caption: Janatzy in Vanderbilt Cup Race
Can someone suggest year?
Original caption: Janatzy in Vanderbilt Cup Race
Can someone suggest year?
#5
Racing Lines
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Posted 09 November 2005 - 06:13
Hi,
I think, the Jenatzy's picture was taken in 1905.
Jenatzy's 120 hp Mercedes is the first car on the road with number 3. he had to retire on lap 4 (craked cylinder). It was his first attempt in this race. He was more lucky in 1906 (his last attempt), finishing 5th.
Second car on the road is number 18 80 hp Darracq of Victor Hemery... the winner of the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup !
Peronnaly, I think I would have written the caption in a different way !!
Those pictures are great !!!!
(it was my first post !)
I think, the Jenatzy's picture was taken in 1905.
Jenatzy's 120 hp Mercedes is the first car on the road with number 3. he had to retire on lap 4 (craked cylinder). It was his first attempt in this race. He was more lucky in 1906 (his last attempt), finishing 5th.
Second car on the road is number 18 80 hp Darracq of Victor Hemery... the winner of the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup !
Peronnaly, I think I would have written the caption in a different way !!
Those pictures are great !!!!
(it was my first post !)
#6
robert dick
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Posted 09 November 2005 - 08:57
Photo Jenatzy in Vanderbilt Cup :
The second car is Duray's Lorraine-Dietrich so that the year is 1906.
= = = = = = = =
Any idea concerning the identity of the driver in this photo :
http://memory.loc.go...5300/15364v.jpg
The car is a 130/180-mm Mercedes, similar to DePalma's famous "Grey Ghost".
I think it is George Clark. Any confirmation?
The second car is Duray's Lorraine-Dietrich so that the year is 1906.
= = = = = = = =
Any idea concerning the identity of the driver in this photo :
http://memory.loc.go...5300/15364v.jpg
The car is a 130/180-mm Mercedes, similar to DePalma's famous "Grey Ghost".
I think it is George Clark. Any confirmation?
#7
leeturne
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Posted 09 November 2005 - 09:14
How's this for a monster!http://lcweb2.loc.go...6sf=3b21116:@@@
Also love the photo from the Targa Florio.
Also love the photo from the Targa Florio.
#8
leeturne
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Posted 09 November 2005 - 09:50
Also very interesting :
L Strang in Racing Renault
If you amend the search criteria there are some hidden gems there (and I came into the office to do some work, fat chance!)
L Strang in Racing Renault
If you amend the search criteria there are some hidden gems there (and I came into the office to do some work, fat chance!)
#9
HDonaldCapps
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Posted 09 November 2005 - 10:33
To me, this, Start of Vanderbilt Race , is the sort of photograph that I can look at for hours and mull over what is there and the events surrounding it....
#10
leeturne
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Posted 09 November 2005 - 10:42
Another interesting photo (even if it is only half a frame):
Targa-Florio Auto Race, Lancia in "Fiat", second prize, Italy
These photographs are absolutely fascinating.
Targa-Florio Auto Race, Lancia in "Fiat", second prize, Italy
These photographs are absolutely fascinating.
#11
Geoff E
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Posted 09 November 2005 - 15:30
Someone on the GPL forum has some photos that his grandfather took at the 1906 Le Mans race; one of them is to be found in post #6 of this thread-
http://forum.rscnet....ad.php?t=229716
http://forum.rscnet....ad.php?t=229716
#12
Racing Lines
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Posted 09 November 2005 - 22:07
[QUOTE]Originally posted by robert dick
[B]Photo Jenatzy in Vanderbilt Cup :
The second car is Duray's Lorraine-Dietrich so that the year is 1906.
= = = = = = = =
You're right. I made a bug when reading my files. Jenatzy had number 3 in 1906 (he finished 5th) and NOT in 1905. he's ahead of Duray's Lorraine-Dietrich number 18, classified 3th, and NOT Hemery's Darracq.
Sorry for that. Next time, I will be more careful.
[B]Photo Jenatzy in Vanderbilt Cup :
The second car is Duray's Lorraine-Dietrich so that the year is 1906.
= = = = = = = =
You're right. I made a bug when reading my files. Jenatzy had number 3 in 1906 (he finished 5th) and NOT in 1905. he's ahead of Duray's Lorraine-Dietrich number 18, classified 3th, and NOT Hemery's Darracq.
Sorry for that. Next time, I will be more careful.
#13
robert dick
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Posted 11 November 2005 - 13:46
Originally posted by Geoff E
Someone on the GPL forum has some photos that his grandfather took at the 1906 Le Mans race; one of them is to be found in post #6 of this thread-
http://forum.rscnet....ad.php?t=229716
1906 Le Mans????
- The car looks like a Mercedes Sixty (Jenatzy won the 1903 Gordon Bennett Cup in a Sixty),
- no leaves on the trees (the 1906 Grand Prix was run on June 26/27),
- background in the photo rather hilly (Le Mans is rather flat).
So maybe Jenatzy driving a Mercedes Sixty in a 1903 hillclimb, but most probably not 1906 Le Mans.
Would be interesting to know where and when the photo was taken.
#14
robert dick
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Posted 11 November 2005 - 14:22
The background of the 1908 Briarcliff race was similar to the "1906 Le Mans" photo - see
http://www.geh.org/f...html#topofimage
or
http://www.geh.org/f...html#topofimage
The car in the "1906 Le Mans" photo carries two spare tyres, not common for a hillclimb.
1908 Briarcliff is another possibility, in this case maybe Parker's Fiat.
http://www.geh.org/f...html#topofimage
or
http://www.geh.org/f...html#topofimage
The car in the "1906 Le Mans" photo carries two spare tyres, not common for a hillclimb.
1908 Briarcliff is another possibility, in this case maybe Parker's Fiat.
#15
Speed Eraser
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Posted 13 November 2005 - 04:32
Originally posted by robert dick
1906 Le Mans????
- The car looks like a Mercedes Sixty (Jenatzy won the 1903 Gordon Bennett Cup in a Sixty),
- no leaves on the trees (the 1906 Grand Prix was run on June 26/27),
- background in the photo rather hilly (Le Mans is rather flat).
So maybe Jenatzy driving a Mercedes Sixty in a 1903 hillclimb, but most probably not 1906 Le Mans.
Would be interesting to know where and when the photo was taken.
Not sure about the car, but it was 'Le Mans', but bear in mind, its not the same route we normally associate with Le Mans. The 1906 GP was a 65 mile long circuit that ran through the county of Sarthe.
Photos were taken by my grandfather who was in Europe accomponying Clifford B Harmon, whom he worked for as a chauffeur/mechanic at the time. We have the original 1906 race program from him to prove it
(hence the poster we're making)As a point of interest, he also work for a period of time as the mechanic for Winton, and (on occassion) worked as the mechanic on one of the early Winton Bullets when Barney Oldfield drove it in the northeast. Its presently in the the Smithsonian collection (on loan to a museum in Cleveland I believe).
#16
Hans Etzrodt
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Posted 13 November 2005 - 06:16
Unfortunately the quality of the picture is one of the worst I have yet seen but sufficient details can be detected to disqualify it as a 1906 Grand Prix de l'ACF picture. You can fool yourself but not me.Originally posted by Geoff E
Someone on the GPL forum has some photos that his grandfather took at the 1906 Le Mans race; one of them is to be found in post #6 of this thread-
http://forum.rscnet....ad.php?t=229716
#17
Roger Clark
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Posted 13 November 2005 - 07:43
I think this thread refers to the same photos, although the link is now broken.
http://forums.autosp...ght=rambouillet
http://forums.autosp...ght=rambouillet
#18
robert dick
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Posted 13 November 2005 - 08:33
To avoid any misunderstanding : I do not doubt that your grandfather was at Le Mans in 1906 and took photos.
But if the photo in question was taken at Le Mans, it is mysterious concerning the location on the circuit and the car.
Is it possible that your grandfather also took photos of the 1908 Briarcliff race and that some photos were mixed?
But if the photo in question was taken at Le Mans, it is mysterious concerning the location on the circuit and the car.
Is it possible that your grandfather also took photos of the 1908 Briarcliff race and that some photos were mixed?
#19
Speed Eraser
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Posted 17 November 2005 - 18:32
Based upon a couple of the vehicle numbers I think its entirely possible that he was in France long enough to have taken photos at both the GP as well as the 1906 Coupes Des Voitturettes. Because the other pics certainly numbers that correspond to the LeMans race (i.e. 1B), but one pic I believed showed number 21 which would imply he was at the Coupes Des Voitturettes November race.
Who knew. I thought he was only at the race at Sarthe. I pictures would suggest that he was there several months and saw both races.
Who knew. I thought he was only at the race at Sarthe. I pictures would suggest that he was there several months and saw both races.
