The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race took place on the newly paved Long Island Motor Parkway, specifically conceived and built for the race. This year was also the first that an American won the contest that was invented to attract the best drivers from around the world at the birth of the automobile era. That year, Long Islander, George Robertson became the first American to win the event.

 

Scroll down to see some historical photos from the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

 

Grandstand Vanderbilt Cup Race

 

Photo: Bain News Service, publisher. Created / Published: Oct. 24, 1908 (date created or published later by Bain). No known restrictions on publication.

 

Vanderbilt Cup Race: Irish Volunteers' Patrol

 

Photo: Bain News Service, publisher. Created / Published: Oct. 24, 1908 (date created or published later by Bain). No known restrictions on publication.

Vanderbilt Cup Race '08, Robertson taking gasoline

 

Photo: Bain News Service, publisher. Created / Published: Oct. 24, 1908 (date created or published later by Bain). No known restrictions on publication.

Robertson in "Locomobile"

 

Photo: Bain News Service, publisher. Created / Published: Oct. 24, 1908 (date created or published later by Bain). No known restrictions on publication.

Robertson winning cup race

 

Photo: Bain News Service, publisher. Created / Published: Oct. 24, 1908 (date created or published later by Bain). No known restrictions on publication.

Vanderbilt Cup Race, youth injured by falling into pit

 

Photo: Bain News Service, publisher. Created / Published: Oct. 24, 1908 (date created or published later by Bain). No known restrictions on publication.