Hiller "Comet" Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1940-1942

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 is one of approximately 500 models produced by Hiller Industries of San Francisco. The company's founder, 17-year-old Stanley Hiller, Jr., went on to design and build helicopters.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Model car

Date Made

1940-1942

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2013.47.88

Credit

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

Material

Steel (Alloy)
Paint (Coating)
Rubber (Material)

Color

Black (Color)
Red
White (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 6.5 in
Width: 10 in
Length: 18 in
Weight: 6.125 lb

Inscriptions

decals: Hiller Comet 5 [Mobil logo] [operating instructions]
Hiller "Comet" Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1940-1942