Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Giant Screen Experience will be closed Monday, March 16 for a day of staff learning and development. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

1939 Soap Box Derby Car

01

Artifact Overview

Mason Colbert placed third with this car in the 1939 All-American Soap Box Derby national championship in Akron, Ohio. The first official derby was held in 1934. Young contestants built their cars from soap boxes, orange crates, and baby carriage wheels. Over the years, designs became more elaborate and materials more sophisticated. But the "fuel" remained the same -- gravity.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Coaster car

Date Made

1939

Creator Notes

Likely made by Mason Colbert, the driver of the car, in the area of Nebraska City, Nebraska

Location

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

Object ID

87.199.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Mason Colbert.

Material

Metal
Rubber (Material)
Wood (plant material)

Technique

Homemade

Color

Dark blue
Orange (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 18.5 in
Width: 33.5 in
Wheelbase: 67.5 in
Length: 79.5 in (Wheel Diameter)
Weight: 108 lbs

Inscriptions

Either side: NORTH PLATTE NEBR. DAILY TELEGRAPH