Items Similar to Dooling Mercury First Series Front Drive Tether Car 1939
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21
Dooling Mercury First Series Front Drive Tether Car 1939
About the Item
This is a Dooling Mercury First Series tether car built in 1939 by the Dooling brothers, Tom, Russell and Harris. They began building racers in 1937 for their own pleasure. These early crude, buggy-type creations, powered by model airplane motors, nurtured what would become a thriving business beginning in 1939. Their first car, the one shown here, was known as the First Series Front Drive or the “Mercury Midget”. Two other cars were produced in this series. The name “Mercury” was taken from the ancient, fleet-footed Roman god - a fitting reference to the first three Dooling products. They eventually went on to make other models as the business grew. However, it is this car that had the distinction of being the first of the trio of the Mercury series cars.
The tether car era began circa 1937 in California. Hobbyists took small gas-powered engines from their model airplanes and mounted them on a board with four wheels to make a powered car. A cable or string connected to the car was then attached to the center "tether pole" and the car was push-started and began racing around the pole. As the sport grew, professional racetracks were built where full-scale competitions were held and large crowds could meet.
After professional restoration, we can confidently say that this car is in excellent condition with no scratches, chips or dents.
The car is made from sheet metal, metal rod, cast and sheet aluminum with solid rubber wheels.
Reference: “Vintage Miniature Racing Cars” by Robert Ames
DIMENSIONS:
Length: 17.5 in. (44.4 cm.)
Width: 8 in. (20.3 cm.)
Height: 6.75 in. (17.2 cm.)
- Creator:Dooling Brothers (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 6.75 in (17.15 cm)Width: 8 in (20.32 cm)Depth: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- Style:Streamlined Moderne (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1939
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Hampstead, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7242238836182
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
1stDibs seller since 2022
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Hampstead, Canada
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- 1940s Tether Car Powered by Original Super Cyclone EngineBy RexnerLocated in Hampstead, QCThis original 1940 Rexner Zipper Tether Car Racer with its streamlined design is in excellent condition. It is powered by a Super Cyclone .60...Category
Early 20th Century American Streamlined Moderne Toys
MaterialsAluminum
- Art Deco Macassar Ebony Dining Table and Chairs, 1930’s - 1940’sLocated in Hampstead, QCAn exceptional Art Deco dining set in exotic macassar ebony veneer featuring a stunning table and six chairs completely reupholstered in cream-coloured faux leather, all in excellent...Category
20th Century Unknown Art Deco Dining Room Sets
MaterialsMacassar
- 20th Century Rare Pascal Mourgue “Atlantique” Dinette Set, 1980’s for ArtelanoBy Pascal MourgueLocated in Hampstead, QCA rare dinette set by famed French designer Pascal Mourgue (1943-2014), son of the legendary French industrial designer Olivier Mourgue (born 1939), best known as the designer of the...Category
Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Dining Room Sets
MaterialsMetal
- Paul Evans Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Mixed Metal Console Table, 1970’sBy Paul EvansLocated in Hampstead, QCPaul Evans (1931-1987) was an iconic American furniture designer, sculptor, artist and a leading figure in the mid-century modern American movement with his now famous Brutalist furn...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
MaterialsBrass, Copper, Steel
- Original Arne Norell “Ari” Lounge Chair and OttomanBy Arne NorellLocated in Hampstead, QCOriginal Arne Norell “ARI” lounge chair with matching ottoman, 1970’s. Designed in 1966, the Ari was awarded “Showpiece of the year in 1973 by the British Furniture Manufacturers in ...Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Antique George van der Straeten Art Nouveau Bronze Bust of Woman with CherriesBy Georges Van der StraetenLocated in Hampstead, QCGeorges Van Der Straeten (Belgian, 1856-1941) created this lovely bronze bust sculpture of a young woman with two cherries held between her teeth. It is in excellent condition with n...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Busts
MaterialsMarble, Bronze
You May Also Like
- Vintage Toy Car, Wind Up Red Car, Early 20th CenturyLocated in Roma, ITThis Wind up red car is a vintage toy made by unknown manifacturer, probably model from 1920s-1930s. Original key not included. Surface lightly scratched. Mechanism perfectly wor...Category
Early 20th Century German Toys
MaterialsMetal
- Antique Child's Pedal Toy CarLocated in Oakville, CTAmerican vintage, antique child's pedal tricycle metal toy car in great working condition.Category
20th Century American Folk Art Toys and Dolls
MaterialsMetal
- Original Vintage Toy, Wind Up Jeep CarLocated in Roma, ITThis wind up jeep car is an original vintage metal toy. Unknown manufacturer and age. Functioning but lightly damaged mechanisms. Not in p...Category
Early 20th Century French Toys
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Toy, Schuco Examico 4001 Car, 1950sLocated in Roma, ITThis Schuco Examico 4001 car is a wind up mechanical toy car, made between 1950s/60s. Working stick shift and reverse. Vintage toy made in tinplate and plastic. Lighthly scrat...Category
Mid-20th Century German Toys
MaterialsMetal
- San Francisco Trolley Toy Friction Car. Japan, circa 1950sLocated in Incline Village, NVSan Francisco trolley toy Friction cable car; made of all tin; important to note because this was the first of it's kind having been made in the 1950s. They were all tin (no plastic); 7 1/4" long (not shorter); green (not red or multi-clored); "Bay and Taylor St" placard; #504" and most importantly the figures are actual FIGURES made of formed pressed steel and then hand painted and lithographed. Cheaper later models were simply lithographed into the flat sheet steel. Also, my example works (see video). It is a friction toy...Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Toys
MaterialsTin
- Vintage Toy Car, Schuco Patent 2001625, Made in Germany, 1950sLocated in Roma, ITThis Schuco Patent 2001625 car is a vintage toy made in Germany in 1950s. Schuco Patent 2001625 model. The clockwork works, even though it is a bit slow. Original key not incl...Category
Mid-20th Century German Toys
MaterialsMetal
