Lucas and Smith "Contestor" Engine, 1946

01

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 "Contestor" engine, from Lucas and Smith Manufacturing Company of Los Angeles, California, was suitable for use in model cars or model airplanes.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Engine (Power producing equipment)

Date Made

1946

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2013.47.47

Credit

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

Material

Metal
Cardboard

Color

Silver (Color)
Black (Color)
Blue
Yellow (Color)
Red

Dimensions

Height: 5 in (engine)
Width: 3 in (engine)
Length: 5.5 in (engine)

Inscriptions

Box lid: Contestor | D 60 R | AIRCRAFT ENGINE | MADE BY LUCAS AND SMITH MANUFACTURING | LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA USA Box side: CONTENTS: COMPLETE ENGINE | AND INSTRUCTION MANUAL Box side: THIS BOX CONTAINS ONE BLOCKTESTED AND INDIVIDUALLY TUNED CONTESTOR ENGINE | DESIGN BY | Bunch Box side: HANDLE WITH CARE | PRECISION BUILT AIRCRAFT ENGINE