Dooling "Mercury Midget" Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1939-1940

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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 "Mercury Midget," Dooling's first production model, was introduced in 1939. The "Midget" was somewhat unusual in having front-wheel drive.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Model car

Date Made

1939-1940

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Driven to Win: Racing in America

Object ID

2013.47.96

Credit

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

Material

Aluminum (Metal)
Leather
Rubber (Material)
Steel (Alloy)
Wood (Plant material)

Color

Red
Gray (Color)
Silver (Color)
Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 8.75 in
Width: 9.25 in
Length: 20 in
Weight: 5.5 lb