Matthews "V-Car" Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1941
THF157941 / Matthews "V-Car" Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1941
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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 "V-Car," a teardrop-shaped streamliner. Matthews models were successful in sales and on race courses.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Model car
Date Made
1941
Creators
Place of Creation
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2013.47.58
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Eric Zausner and the E-Z Spindizzy Foundation.
Material
Aluminum (Metal)
Paint (Coating)
Rubber (Material)
Color
Silver (Color)
Black (Color)
Red
Dimensions
Height: 4.5 in
Width: 8.375 in
Length: 17 in
Inscriptions
Body:
MATTHEWS V CAR
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Related Content
SetTether Cars: Big Thrills in Small Scale
- 25 Artifacts
Tether cars provided big racing thrills in a smaller size. These miniature gas-powered model cars were raced individually while tethered to a central pivot, or against each other on a scaled-down track. At their peak popularity in the years surrounding World War II, some 25 major manufacturers -- and hundreds of individual builders -- produced tether cars. The artifacts in this set offer a peek into this exciting hobby.