Matthews Achiever Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1940

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. This model, with interchangeable front and rear axles, is from Matthews Foundry of Fresno, California. It's of the enclosed "cabin car" style and doesn't have an open cockpit.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Model car

Date Made

1940

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2013.47.82

Credit

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

Material

Aluminum (Metal)
Rubber (Material)

Color

Black (Color)
Red
Yellow (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 7 in
Width: 9.25 in
Length: 18.5 in

Inscriptions

hand-lettered: Achiever tires: Matthews Fresno Calif. 600-17
Matthews Achiever Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1940