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Tether Cars

1950s 'Maserati' Tether Car
Located in London, GB
A wonderful tether car model produced by E & M (The Experimental and Model Co.) of Coventry with
Category

Vintage 1950s English Models and Miniatures

Materials

Aluminum

1950s 'Maserati' Tether Car
1950s 'Maserati' Tether Car
H 6.75 in W 19 in D 8 in
Toy Hot Rod Roadster Tether Car
By All American Co.
Located in Ferndale, MI
part of the tether car craze. Sometimes cut up with gas engines installed. This piece is in original
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Models and Miniatures

Materials

Metal

Toy Hot Rod Roadster Tether Car
Toy Hot Rod Roadster Tether Car
H 3.5 in W 5 in D 9 in
Red Metal Body Track Rail Race Car, Circa 1952
Located in London, GB
miniature combustion engines started in California in the 1930s. Whilst ’tether’ cars were raced
Category

Vintage 1950s British Models and Miniatures

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Large 1940s Magnesium Bodied Indianapolis style Tether Race Car
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large 1940s magnesium bodied tether race car. Speed chief.
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Models and Miniatures

Materials

Aluminum, Other

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Orange 1972 Volkswagen Ghia by Karmann Convertible car
Located in Ferndale, MI
Introduced as a styling concept at the Paris auto show in 1953 the Karmann Ghia has a Karmann hand built body designed by Luigi Segre for Italian coach builder Ghia for VW. Convertib...
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Vintage 1970s German International Style More Furniture and Collectibles

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Aluminum, Chrome, Sheet Metal

Vintage Porsche Carrera Pedal Car by Giordani
By Giordani
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage Porsche Carrera pedal car by Giordani Bologna Italy. A white vintage Porsche toy pedal car circa 1970 - 1980. This old pedal car type Porsche 911 Turbo is made of hard plast...
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Late 20th Century Italian Modern Toys and Dolls

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Vintage Porsche Carrera Pedal Car by Giordani
Vintage Porsche Carrera Pedal Car by Giordani
H 15.56 in W 40.16 in D 19.69 in
Pearl Royale 18K White Gold, Diamond, Sapphire and South Sea Pearl Chess Set
By Colin Burn Art
Located in Halls Head, Western Australia
The Pearl Royale chess set stands as one of the world’s finest jewelry artworks ever created. This masterpiece is hailed as the most valuable and opulent chess set in the world and l...
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21st Century and Contemporary Australian Victorian Games

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Pre-17th Century Extremely Rare & Complete Elephant Bird Egg, Madagascar
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An extremely rare elephant bird egg, completely intact. The Elephant Bird, formally categorised as Aepyornis Maximus, is an enormous flightless bird native to Madagascar. Standing as...
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Antique Early 17th Century Malagasy Taxidermy

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Eggshell

Barnfind Antique Large Tadpole Rider Tricycle Pedal Car, France, 1930s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Awesome Barnfind, this large Tadpole Rider Tricycle pedal car. This antique pedal car was made in France circa 1930-1940. It's made of heavy solid metal, has a trunk which can be ope...
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Early 20th Century French Industrial Toys

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PLAYBOY BUNNY
By Andy Warhol
Located in Aventura, FL
Synthetic polymer drawing on paper. Unsigned. Warhol Foundation stamp on verso. Sheet size 31.5 x 23.5 inches. Custom framed as pictured. Artwork is in excellent condition. Cert...
Category

1980s Pop Art Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

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Early Racing Car Model, Indianapolis Type, Brass and Wood, Automobilia
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Fantastic vintage racing car, the Indianapolis type. Very nice done. Handmade. Perfect for any Automobilia, or Car Mascot - Hood Ornament collector. Very good conditions. Just got a ...
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Early 20th Century American Art Deco Models and Miniatures

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Brass

Vintage Fire Engine Toy Pedal Car with Ladders
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A fun bright orange red fire engine toy car having ladders and a bell on the front. Distressed and charming.
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Vintage 1950s North American Toys and Dolls

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Metal

Mercedes Retro Racing Model
Located in Paris, FR
Model Mercedes Retro Racing with aluminium structure, with plastic and aluminium details. Model in black paint finish.
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21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Models and Miniatures

Materials

Aluminum

Mercedes Retro Racing Model
Mercedes Retro Racing Model
H 3.55 in W 12.21 in D 5.75 in
Tyrannosaurus Rex Tooth Fossil
Located in London, GB
The tooth of an adult Tyrannosaurus Rex, dating to the Late Cretaceous, approximately 67 million years old. A large, beautifully preserved specimen, with mottled caramel-coloured ena...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Natural Specimens

Materials

Stone

Tyrannosaurus Rex Tooth Fossil
Tyrannosaurus Rex Tooth Fossil
Free Shipping
H 3.75 in Dm 1.38 in
Model Lotus Eleven Car
Located in London, GB
Model of the 1956 "Works" Lotus Eleven, by internationally recognised British model maker Jeff Luff. The Lotus Eleven was one of the most successful race cars in its 1100 cc class...
Category

Early 2000s British Models and Miniatures

Materials

Metal

Model Lotus Eleven Car
Model Lotus Eleven Car
H 3 in W 11.75 in D 4.38 in
Black & White Vintage Toy Police Pedal Car
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fun vintage Police Highway Patrol metal pedal car by Glide Ride. Great graphic design complete with crank siren on the side. In working order, but we recommend only using it for di...
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Vintage 1940s American American Classical Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

Vintage Red Metal Pedal Fire Department Car
Located in Sofia, BG
Large sized vintage pedal fire department car in red metal. Very good condition with some traces of use and age. France, circa 1970.  
Category

Late 20th Century French Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

Vintage Red Metal Pedal Fire Department Car
Vintage Red Metal Pedal Fire Department Car
H 17.72 in W 18.9 in D 34.65 in
Vintage Wind Up Small Car Toy, Made in Germany, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
This wind up small car is a mechanical vintage toy. Very small nice car beautifully detailed and with his perfectly working clockwork. Made in Germany. Unknown manufacturer and...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Toys

Materials

Metal

Set of Two Vintage Bugatti MatchBox Car Toys, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two vintage Bugatti MatchBox car toys. By MatchBox, circa 1960. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Mater...
Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls

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Metal

Set of Two Vintage Bugatti MatchBox Car Toys, circa 1960
Set of Two Vintage Bugatti MatchBox Car Toys, circa 1960
No Reserve
H 0.99 in W 1.19 in D 3.15 in
1963 Chrysler Concept Turbine Car Promotional Model with Box
By Elwood Engel, Chrysler Corporation
Located in Ferndale, MI
Chrysler promotional model of Elwood Engel designed turbine concept car. Vehicle did go to limited production of fifty five units. The bodies were built by Ghia in Turin Italy shippe...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Space Age Models and Miniatures

Materials

Plastic

Recent Sales

Ohlsson & Rice Rare Streamline American Art Deco Tether Race Car Model No. 88 with Trailer circa 1950
By Ohlsson & Rice
Located in New York, NY
OHLSSON & RICE (founded 1941) Los Angeles, CA Tether Race Red car Model No. 88 Gas powered
Category

Vintage 1940s American Models and Miniatures

Materials

Steel

Bugatti Tether Car
Located in London, GB
The Wasp was a tether car model produced by M&E Models of Exmouth with a C-class capacity engine
Category

Vintage 1940s British Toys and Dolls

Bugatti Tether Car
Bugatti Tether Car
H 6 in W 14.5 in D 6.5 in
Electra ‘Buck 2A’ Tether Car, circa 1947
Located in London, GB
(height) Tether Cars are model racing cars powered by miniature internal combustion engines. The cars are
Category

Vintage 1940s British Models and Miniatures

Materials

Aluminum

Electra ‘Buck 2A’ Tether Car, circa 1947
Electra ‘Buck 2A’ Tether Car, circa 1947
H 6.25 in W 18.75 in D 8.63 in
M&E 'Wasp' Bugatti-style Tether Car
Located in London, GB
The Wasp was a tether car model produced by M&E Models of Exmouth with a C-class capacity
Category

Mid-20th Century British Models and Miniatures

M&E 'Wasp' Bugatti-style Tether Car
M&E 'Wasp' Bugatti-style Tether Car
H 5 in W 14.25 in D 6.25 in
M&E Models Wasp Tether Car, circa 1940s
Located in London, GB
The Wasp was a tether car model produced by M&E Models of Exmouth from the late 1940s with 'Bugatti
Category

Vintage 1940s British Models and Miniatures

Materials

Metal

M&E Models Wasp Tether Car, circa 1940s
M&E Models Wasp Tether Car, circa 1940s
H 5 in W 14.25 in D 6.25 in
ERA Tether Car Model by M&E, circa 1948
Located in London, GB
A rare ERA (English Racing Automobiles) 'Tether Car' model produced by M&E Models of Exmouth, circa
Category

Vintage 1940s British Models and Miniatures

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

ERA Tether Car Model by M&E, circa 1948
ERA Tether Car Model by M&E, circa 1948
H 6.5 in W 19 in D 8.25 in
Dooling 'Mercury Front Drive' Rail Track Tether Car, circa 1940
Located in London, GB
(height). The Dooling Brothers of California are arguably the most well known of the American tether car
Category

Vintage 1940s American Models and Miniatures

Materials

Aluminum

Streamlined Wood Race Car
Located in Peekskill, NY
a large and early tether car. There is still an inside cable to work the steering and some type of
Category

Early 20th Century American Futurist Models and Miniatures

Streamlined Wood Race Car
Streamlined Wood Race Car
H 9.5 in W 14 in D 36 in
Streamlined Wood Race Car
Located in Peekskill, NY
a large and early tether car. There is still an inside cable to work the steering and some type of
Category

Early 20th Century American Futurist Models and Miniatures

Streamlined Wood Race Car
Streamlined Wood Race Car
H 9.5 in W 14 in D 36 in
‘Ferrari 500 F2' Cast Aluminium Pylon or 'Tether' Racing Car Toy by Vega, 1952
Located in London, GB
Vega: ‘Ferrari 500 F2’ An all cast, heavy aluminium pylon racer, with exhaust and hubcap detailing, with side mirrors, steering wheel and stylized ‘windshield’, powered by a rear-...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Other Toys and Dolls

Materials

Aluminum

Scratch Built Tether Car, Circa 1950
Located in London, GB
. Tether Cars are model racing cars powered by miniature internal combustion engines. The cars are attached
Category

Vintage 1950s British Models and Miniatures

Materials

Metal

Scratch Built Tether Car, Circa 1950
Scratch Built Tether Car, Circa 1950
H 5.13 in W 14.75 in D 7.25 in
Maserati Tether Car
Located in New York, NY
A rare and superb Maserati petrol-powered aluminum tether car borrows elements from both the
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Decorative Objects

Materials

Aluminum

Rare Teardrop shape Gas powered tether Car
Located in New York, NY
These Gas powered cars are extremely hard to find and very collectable. They have actual working
Category

Vintage 1950s American Toys

Materials

Aluminum

Classic American "air Car" Tether Racer
Located in New York, NY
Made from carved and painted balsa wood, this delightful tether car is distinguished by its unique
Category

Vintage 1940s American Models and Miniatures

Materials

Steel

Original Aluminum Tethered Racing Car by Mc Coy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic futuristic car was made in the 1930's. It was raced around a track on a tether
Category

20th Century American Models and Miniatures

Materials

Aluminum

Machine Age Gas Powered Aluminum Tethered Racing Car
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This great original tethered racing car was actually raced on a track back in the 1930's. It is
Category

20th Century American More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Aluminum, Metal

1930's Original Streamline Aluminum Tethered Racing Car
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This great car was manufactured by Dooling Brothers in the 1930's. It retains it's original Dooling
Category

20th Century American More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Aluminum, Metal

Dooling Gas Powered 1946 Tether Racer Toy Car
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a great looking racing car in a gorgeous blue. It is 6 1/8"h x 16.3/4"l x 8.1/2"w
Category

Vintage 1930s American Toys

Materials

Metal

Original 1930's Dooling Bros. Streamline Tethered Racing Car
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This aluminum racing car was manufactured by Dooling Brothers in the 1930's. It even retains it's
Category

20th Century American Toys and Dolls

Materials

Aluminum, Metal

AMERICAN SPRINT CAR
Located in New York, NY
A classic, late-1940s gas-powered model race car in polished aluminum with a model airplane engine
Category

Vintage 1940s American Models and Miniatures

Materials

Aluminum

GAS POWERED MODEL RACE CARS
Located in New York, NY
These three exceptional late 1940s gas-powered model race cars in polished aluminum, each with a
Category

Vintage 1940s American Decorative Objects

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

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Tether Cars For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of tether cars for sale on 1stDibs. The range of distinct tether cars — often made from metal, aluminum and plastic — can elevate any home. Tether cars have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century. Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern tether cars are consistently popular styles. Many tether cars are appealing in their simplicity, but All American Co. and Vega produced popular tether cars that are worth a look.

Finding the Right Collectibles and Curiosities for You

Antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities can bring whimsy and wonder to any interior. 

Decorating with old scientific instruments, historical memorabilia and vintage musical instruments, as well as other authentic collectibles and curiosities that can be found on 1stDibs, presents an opportunity to create a unique, natural history museum-like atmosphere in your home that can provoke conversation as often as it pays tribute to how far we’ve come in understanding our world. 

And bringing collectibles and curiosities into your space is actually on trend — Wunderkammern, or curiosity cabinets, were all the rage in Europe during the 1500s and continued to have adherents there and in the U.S. in the following centuries. Today, however, they’re experiencing a real surge in popularity and influencing how many interior designers are furnishing and decorating homes — combining contemporary with antique, scientific with tribal, earthly with extraterrestrial, Les Lalanne tables with Flemish tapestries.

The original Wunderkammern were entire rooms filled with objects demonstrating their owners’ worldly knowledge: A proper one included artificiala or preciosa (objets d’art); naturalia (such as skeletons, shells, minerals); exotica (taxidermy or dried plants); and scientifica (scientific instruments), frequently alongside religious relics and ancient artifacts.

Pay tribute to a history of rich and diverse musical traditions that have taken shape all over the world by decorating your home with a collection of antique and vintage musical instruments — with a little help from strong hanging wire or some wall hooks, vintage brass instruments such as a gong, French horn or trumpet can help elevate a home office or complement the efforts you’ve made to ensure a welcoming vibe in your home’s entryway. Bells or antique wind instruments can add provocative metallic contrasts to dark woods as tabletop decorative objects.  

Create an intriguing focal point with Georgian scientific instruments, such as stick barometers with mahogany cases or lacquered brass telescopes. These items stem from an era named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who ruled England in succession starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). Just as there was beautiful jewelry produced during the period that today is coveted by collectors, there is much to be found in the collectibles and curiosities realm too.

Wanderlust, nostalgia and a shared love of good design are contributing factors to certain trends in decorating — just as vintage trunks and luggage have reappeared as furniture or home accents in a bedroom or foyer, decorating with globes, maps or nautical objects is similarly rooted in the allure of travel and a penchant for the stylish finishing touch that collectibles bring to our homes.

Find a wide range of antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities on 1stDibs.

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