Babb "Tiny Tornado" Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1940
Add to SetSummary
Tether cars, gas-powered model race cars, were popular in the 1930s and 1940s. They were raced individually while tethered to a central pivot, or against each other on a scaled-down board track. Gordon Babb of Pasadena, California, built this "Tiny Tornado" model with a wood frame and hand-carved wood body. It was based on plans published in Practical Science magazine.
Tether cars, gas-powered model race cars, were popular in the 1930s and 1940s. They were raced individually while tethered to a central pivot, or against each other on a scaled-down board track. Gordon Babb of Pasadena, California, built this "Tiny Tornado" model with a wood frame and hand-carved wood body. It was based on plans published in Practical Science magazine.
Artifact
Model car
Date Made
1940
Creators
Popular Science Publishing Company
Place of Creation
United States, California, Pasadena
Creator Notes
Tether car appeared as a set of plans published by the periodical Popular Science. Designed by Gordon Babb.
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2013.47.77
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Eric Zausner and the E-Z Spindizzy Foundation.
Material
Non-ferrous Metal
Paint (Coating)
Rubber (Material)
Wood (Plant material)
Color
Blue
Gold (Color)
Silver (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 8.5 in
Width: 9.75 in
Length: 21 in
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