The InstaGRAM Report: Archive Adventures- A view behind the scenes with Gram Spina
An inside look at the VanderbiltCupRaces.com archives room
By Gram Spina
I've been working for Howard Kroplick as an automotive historian intern/archivist for over a year. This job never feels like "work" to me because of how much enjoyment and automotive knowledge I've gained. Before I give an overview of how I've streamlined the archives room and share some of my favorite finds, let me formally introduce myself.
My name is Gram Spina.
I met Howard at a car show when I was eight years old. He gave me a ride in the Alco Black Beast, and I've been obsessed with classic cars (especially traditional Hot Rods and historic race cars) ever since. The car guy's DNA was always in me, but that day sealed the deal. I was hooked for life. In 2021, I graduated from Pennsylvania College of Technology with an associate's degree in Vintage Automotive Restoration, and I am currently pursuing a BA in Photography and Related Media from FIT's School of Art and Design. My passion drives me to succeed, and at nearly 22 years old, I still have a lot of driving to do -- and I enjoy every moment of it.
The process of streamlining the archives room is an ongoing adventure and one that I take great pride in. I am working on organizing and documenting Howard's extensive collection of automotive history, artwork, and media so that it will be easier to locate and find individual items in the future. Working closely with Greg O. and Art Kleiner, we've made great strides. We also were able to extend our square footage into an adjoining room, which has created a much more efficient storage space.
This is what the archives room looked like when I first started.
The archives room today.
One of my tasks has been to organize the automotive books from the Peter Helck collection into a system that makes finding a book simple and efficient. I taught myself how to use Excel, and I created and expanded existing book group categories into what you see here. You name it, and if it is automotive- or Long Island-related, we probably have a book that documents it.
One of my personal goals is to do everything I can to preserve and promote automotive history, which is why this job is so perfect for me. I have great respect and admiration for Howard and the entire team here, and I look forward to sharing more of this journey with you in upcoming website uploads. And as you can tell from the photos, there is still a lot of automotive history to document!
Here’s a handful of my favorite finds within the organization/documentation of the Peter Helck collection.
Here is a Pencil sketch drawn by Peter Helck for the cover of the 1968 Grand Prix Watkins Glen racing program.
A glimpse into our vast collection of Long Island Automotive Museum Postcards. I plan to publish more articles about the cars that were once displayed at the Austin Clark Museum; stay tuned!
1903 Shelby Motor Car Co advertisement clipping. And while it shares no relation to the Shelby we all know today, it's an interesting piece of automotive history.
A photo of Ralph DePalma at the 1920 Indy500. As well as a look into one of our file drawers filled with Peter Helck's collection of photographs he collected over the years.
A sample of an article covering the Ormond-Daytona Race meet in 1906 and a look into one of our racing history file drawers. I feel like I know Peter Helck personally after spending so much time organizing the history he had collected during his life.
I cannot thank Howard enough for this amazing job and I look forward to writing new articles for the VCR website!
Comments
Love this! So great to get a peek behind the scenes.
I’ve been a bit curious of the Archives, so this a great introduction. Nice to meet you, Gram. We’ve seen great input from you and your Dad over the years on this site. Tending to the archives has to be interesting and fun for you, especially coming across new or unseen items.
Great story, great job
keep up the good work you doing
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks to Howard for all he does for our hobby.
So excited AND PROUD OF YOU reading this Gram.
Great job! Gram may consider joining the Society of Automotive Historians and discussing his work. And, this archival experience can provide the foundation for many opportunities to enhance car culture.
Your organizational skills and assistance with the archives has been invaluable InstaGram!
Thanks for all you do!
Gram, you are a pleasure to work with. Keep up the great work! Howard
I’m sure you have been a tremendous help to Howard. It’s nice to know you love the work and all of us in this hobby will benefit from your efforts Gram.
Gram it is so refreshing to see a young man like you doing this important work. Congratulations to you and to Howard and the rest of the team for preserving this history. Jerry and Rita Trapani
Great job Gram! I’m so glad that I left the archives in such good hands - both yours and Greg’s. It’s a dirty job (it can be) but someone’s got to do it. I always considered it a work in progress. And your passion comes thru in your work! Keep at it - we all appreciate it very much.
I was not expecting this many responses! Thank you everyone for the support and the heart warming comments!
I see Greg has a cool nickname for you, Gram : ) We’re all glad for you giving us a peek into the archives. Most of us haven’t seen the archives prior to this. This is a nice treat, thank you.
and here’s a follow-up to the numerous responses about getting a behind-the-scenes look at the archive room, if you have a Instagram, you can follow me and watch for my Instagram stories. I regularly post behind-the-scenes photos while working at the waterfront. my Instagram is : @hotrod_crazy hence why Greg gave me the very fitting nickname InstaGram
This was an amazing behind-the-scenes. Keep up the good work !
Nice work on putting the archive room in order!
Nice work Gram! It’s comforting to hear the laborious efforts involved in preserving the archives are in good hands by you and all involved. As you know, it’s essential for early automobile history to be accessible for future generations to access and to learn from. Please keep up the good work.
For any LIMPers interested in seeing the archive room in person, this Sunday at 10am, the NewYork region of the Classic Car Club Of America and their cars will be meeting at the Waterfront Garage at 55 Lumber Rd for a tour of the car collection. We can also open up the archives room for all interested in taking a peek behind the scenes at VanderbiltCupRaces.com! Just ask myself, Howard, or Gram and we can take you in.
C’mon out!
Greg O.
Thanks Greg for the invitation to see the Archive room. I was at the Archive room in Jan. 2020 when it was cluttered, and again last year. I wonder if Gram has ever met Walt Gosden, a very prominent Automotive Historian? During his student days Walt helped with Austin Clark’s HUGE archive collection. Shared Interest? Hope Walt can come that day? He been a member the LISR/CCCA, along with Meredith Jaffee dad the late Roy Jaffee another prominent auto person. Reminisce time?
Gram Spina. You are most fortunate to be working for and learning from a great gentleman, fine mentor, and splendid collector of valuable automotive matters and vehicles. It is great to read and see how you recognize and appreciate your wonderful opportunity.