"Speed King" Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1939-1940

Summary

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. Sponsor decals, in this case for Gilmore Gasoline with its "Red Lion" logo, added authenticity to the model racers.

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. Sponsor decals, in this case for Gilmore Gasoline with its "Red Lion" logo, added authenticity to the model racers.

Artifact

Model car

Date Made

1939-1940

 On Exhibit

at Henry Ford Museum in Driven to Win: Racing in America

Object ID

2013.47.169

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Eric Zausner and the E-Z Spindizzy Foundation.

Material

Aluminum (Metal)
Plastic
Rubber (Material)
Steel (Alloy)

Color

Beige (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 8.75 in

Width: 10 in

Length: 19 in

Weight: 8.875 lb

Inscriptions

decals: GILMORE / RED LION / GILMORE OIL CO., LTD. / 7

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