Casting Plate for Matthews "Silver Streak" Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 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. The Matthews Foundry, owned by model racer Percy Matthews, produced the "Silver Streak," a model of an Indianapolis-style car. Matthews models were successful in sales and on race courses.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Mold (Shaping tool)

Date Made

1939

Creator Notes

Manufactured by Percy Matthews and Matthews Foundry, Fresno, California.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2013.47.34.3

Credit

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

Material

Metal
Wood (Plant material)

Color

Silver (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 2.5 in
Width: 25 in
Length: 14 in
Weight: 12.6875 lb

Casting Plate for Matthews "Silver Streak" Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1939