VINTAGE ORIGINAL 1930s GAS POWERED INDY RACE CAR

Written by Ralph on 1st February, 2010

Click here to see the auction. Currently $1530.50.

Up for auction is a very unique piece of Americana. This toy (?) race car that came from a local estate, was hand made in 1938 by the owners father at his shop. It was gas powered and could go 60mph. There is a scrapbook page (single page) included with this item that shows the car in its’ heyday and the “bio” of the car. The engine is no longer in the car (the guy and his father were big time into model airplanes and model cars and he long ago took the engine out and used it for something else). This would be a great addition for any collector or anyone seriously into antique toys or racing! This car is approx 20 inches long, by 7 inches high and 8 inches wide. The page out of the srapbook has a photo of the car in 1939 along with a newspaper cutout from the local newspaper. The newspaper article states the following ” Probably the smallest racing automobile ever made is the product of Fred Sickels, proprietor of Sickels Service Center at Pennington Ave and Prospect St. and is on display in his showroom. The car has an overall length of 20 inches, a 14 inch wheel base, with a tread of 8 1/2 inches. It has a one cylinder engine, holds 3 ounces of gas, steers from the seat and has a speed of 60 miles per hour! The car body is of polished metal with leather upholstery, full spring suspension and front wheel drive. Mr Sickels has received an offer from the Mobilgas Co.and the Tom Thumb Racer to maby be at the worlds fair this year. Hers hoping and Congratulations!” The current owner of the car beleives that this car was indeed displayed at the 1939 NY Worlds Fair! The car is in excellent condition, but remember, it does not have its original engine. It does however have the orignal “gas tank”, which you can see in the photos. This is truely a one of a kind piece as the entire thing was made by hand by Mr Sickels (Mr Sickels passed away in the 1960’s) Also, FYI, this car was made here in Trenton, NJ. Please let me know if you have any questions. Buyer to pay shipping plus required insurance. Please note that my auctions state that I ship within 5 business days, if you need your item sooner, please let me know. Thanks!On Jan-28-10 at 06:25:23 PST, seller added the following information: I have spoke to the Sickel family about this car. It was DEFINATELY displayed and demonstrated at the 1939 NY Worlds Fair. It was part of the MobileGas CO. exhibit. Originally I thought this car was made in 1938, but I have been told by the son that it was made around 1935 or 1936. He also states that a class C model airlplane engine (.6 Cubic inches) can easily be adaped to run this car.

VINTAGE ORIGINAL 1930s GAS POWERED INDY RACE CAR

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