The 1909 Alco-6 “Black Beast” at Klingberg in June

The 1909 Alco-6 Racer known as “The Black Beast” will be on display on the Lou Biondi Concours d’Elegance Field at the Klingberg Vintage Motorcar Festival in June. This incredible racer is renowned for winning the 1909 & 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Races and running in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in May of 1911. Howard Kroplick purchased the Black Beast in December 2008 returning it to the United States after 15 years in France. The original cost was $6,000 much less than today’s value! It has a 134” wheelbase, an estimated 60 horsepower and a maximum speed of 120 mph.

The American Locomotive Company (ALCO), established in 1901, became the second-largest manufactured steam locomotives in the country, producing over 75,000. ALCO was headquartered in Schenectady, NY with a division in Providence, RI where they produced the automobiles. They manufactured approximately 5,000 automobiles from 1908-1913. The Alco-6 Racer in the only racer among 12 Alco automobiles that exist today.

Howard Kroplick has lectured extensively on the Vanderbilt Cup Races following comprehensive research, gathering 20,000 imagines and accumulating race memorabilia. Howard has authored two books on the races and also has an excellent and informative website at www.vanderbiltcupraces.com. So, come to the Klingberg Vintage Motorcar Festival; see the Black Beast and meet Howard Kroplick.