Korn "Indianapolis" Tether Car, Promotional Model Race Car, circa 1945
THF162868 / Korn "Indianapolis" Tether Car, Promotional Model Race Car, circa 1945
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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. This promotional model of an Indianapolis-style car was made by Barney Korn, one of the hobby's most skilled builders. It wasn't meant for racing -- it lacks an engine.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Model car
Date Made
circa 1945
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Manufactured by B.B. (Barney) Korn and the B.B. Korn Specialty Manufacturing Co. in Los Angeles, California.
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2013.47.141
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
Yellow (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 3.75 in
Width: 5.5 in
Length: 12 in
Inscriptions
tires:
INDIANAPOLIS
Keywords |
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Related Content
SetBarney Korn: Tether Car Craftsman
- 14 Artifacts
Tether cars, gas-powered model race cars, were popular in the 1930s and 1940s. Few tether car makers matched the skill of Barney Korn. His remarkably detailed and largely hand-built models stood apart from mass produced units by larger manufacturers. Korn's models weren't big sellers – they were too slow for serious racers and too expensive for amateurs – but modern collectors value them for their beauty and rarity.