Cox Thimble Drome Prop Rod Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1950-1955

Summary

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. Some car designs took inspiration from model airplanes and used propellers to push the vehicles forward. Propeller pusher systems were easy to build, but they weren't very efficient.

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. Some car designs took inspiration from model airplanes and used propellers to push the vehicles forward. Propeller pusher systems were easy to build, but they weren't very efficient.

Artifact

Model car

Date Made

1950-1955

 On Exhibit

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

Object ID

2013.47.105

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)
Steel (Alloy)
Wood (Plant material)

Color

Blue
Red
White (Color)
Yellow

Dimensions

Height: 5.25 in

Width: 6.25 in

Length: 12 in

Weight: 1.125 lb

Inscriptions

THIMBLE DROME / "PROP ROD"

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