Syncro Rocket Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car Kit, 1938-1939

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Artifact Overview

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. Syncro Devices, Inc., of Detroit, Michigan, made this model kit of an open-cockpit racer about 1938. Syncro built approximately 75-100 kits during its two years in production.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Kit (Set)

Date Made

1938-1939

Location

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

Object ID

2013.47.19

Credit

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

Material

Balsa (Wood)
Metal
Plastic
Rubber (Material)
Cardboard

Color

Light brown
Black (Color)
Silver (Color)
White (Color)
Blue
Red

Dimensions

Height: 3.125 in (box)
Width: 18.875 in (box)
Length: 12 in (box)
Weight: 9.5 lb

Inscriptions

Top of box lid: ROCKET | RACER | MINIATURE | RACING CAR | FOR 1-5 TO 1-4 H. P. MOTORS | A COMPLETE KIT READY FOR ASSEMBLY Front of box lid: MANUFACTURED IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN--U. S. A. Side of box lid: Syncro Rocket Racing Car | SYNCRO DEVICES, INCORPORATED | 743 BEAUBIEN STREET, DETROIT, MICHIGAN