Vanderbilt Cup Race “Locomobile” Race Car

At the turn of the 20th century the superiority of European automotive craftsmanship cast a long shadow over America’s fledgling car industry. To encourage American automobile manufacturers to challenge European quality, 26-year-old William K. Vanderbilt Jr., heir to a railroad fortune and a pioneer race car driver, organized America’s first international road race, modeled after those held in Europe. The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day. These colorful, exciting, and dangerous races drew huge crowds from 25,000 to over 250,000 spectators.

This inkwell commemorates the 90 Horsepower “Locomobile” which placed America second by countries in the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup Race. Four examples are pictured. Two men sitting in bucket seats with caps and goggles lean into a turn. Underneath the hood (bonnet), there are two removable reservoirs for ink, underneath the trunk (boot cover), there is a storage space for writing accessories.

Example #1 – Has running boards on both sides. Missing the spare tire over the trunk. Made of mixed metal with bronze finish. Sold for $398 in February 2019.

Example #2 – Missing inserts. Sold for $797 in July 2008.

Example #3 – Mounted to a marble base. Sold for $1088 in September 2024

Example #4 – Silverplated. Currently it is on sale for $2,697.