Tether car knowledge

[Steven Meixner]

Does anyone have tether car knowledge, especially from the early 50s. Call or message Steve 701 212 5009 

[Peter Gariepy]

Is "tether" a brand or a type of car? (new to me)

[Steven Meixner]

Tether cars were miniature sprint cars, ranging from maybe 12" to 18" long. They had a rope ( tether) attached and raced on a track in a circle. Some also hooked the left side wheels to the track and were raced that way.

[tripwire]

When I was a kid we always called these things "Spin Dizzy" cars.  Like everything now there is lots of websites & forums with people discussing, trading, selling & buying these things.

I don't have any direct information for you but good luck with your search.

 

Wes in VT

[TerryB]

Thimble Drome race cars made in California.  Some were motorized and some were not.  They were metal bodied.  A friend of mine had a 1950s green non motorized one and I bought it from him.  He got it for delivering newspapers in the 1950s.  I had, as a kid, the Cox 1963 tether race car Corvette.  It had a metal frame and plastic body with an .049 model airplane engine mounted to the back wheels. The engine was mounted to the metal chassis and was located behind the seats.  I have since sold both cars.

[Peter Gariepy]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tether_car

 

 

[TAKerry]

I got a magazine a couple of weeks ago at a show and there was a multi page article about the 'spin dizzy' cars. I dont recall the name of it but am looking through my pile to see if its still there. It was quite interesting, I had no idea these kind of things existed.

 

Like Terry B. I had a Cox dragster when I was a kid. It was a birthday present. Nailed the string to the asphalt road and it followed along. This was around '73,'74. Also had a couple of airplanes that did had the same kinda idea.

[Steve Moskowitz]

It was in Automobilia September/Oct issue page 26-31.  Ken Gross wrote the article and also had his email address available:  KenGross@rrroadster.com  It is a great article and should provide you with a lot of info.  Knowing how many guys collect these jewels can't believe there is not an expert here on the forum!

[John348]

I live about 15 miles from the track in the Youtube video that Peter posted and I never heard of that track, pretty cool! I know there is a big R/C plane park in that area but not in the town that the woman mentioned  

[Bhigdog]

I don't care what it is. If it's capable of motion someone somewhere will be racing it...................Bob

[Rusty_OToole]

They appeared in Mechanix Illustrated magazine in the forties and early fifties including articles on building your own. I understand the old models are quite desirable and expensive to buy.

[John348]

9 hours ago, John348 said:

I live about 15 miles from the track in the Youtube video that Peter posted and I never heard of that track, pretty cool! I know there is a big R/C plane park in that area but not in the town that the woman mentioned  

 

Actually I looked where the track is located and it is not in the town where the woman on the video mentioned, it is part of the R/C Airplane area that I knew about. When my parents moved out of The Bronx they lived in walking distance from where the track is now located, I have not been down there in awhile, but I never knew it was there

Edited September 26, 2022 by John348 (see edit history)

[chistech]

Every year at Hershey I see tether cars for sale at many booths. I used to do cars , planes and boats but many build scale WW II aircraft now. That’s of course when I’m not working on a restoration, hunting, or my garden railroad!

[1937hd45]

Pre WWII four lane track must have been fun to watch. 

 

Bob 

[KURTRUK]

https://theoldmotor.com/?p=128796

 

Some good racing footage at a track in Fresno, Ca.

[JACK M]

I remember these when I was a kid.

There was a guy a few years older that always had the cool toys.

I don't think he was as fast as I see in the video.

Like all racing, the technology keeps moving on.

[Scott Bonesteel]

I remember there being a demonstration track for these (on wires, not on rails) in Disneyland/Anaheim in the late 50s-early 60s.

[31nash880]

Dad had a few r/c airplanes. My brother and I "borrowed" some wheels and motor, nailed them to a 2x4 with string. Man was it fast but better watch your fingers on the prop.

[30DodgePanel]

Try searching for members name, Bob Scafani. I believe he used to be into those at one time in the NoCal area.

Edited September 26, 2022 by 30DodgePanel (see edit history)

[8E45E]

On 9/25/2022 at 9:44 PM, 1937hd45 said:

Pre WWII four lane track must have been fun to watch. 

 

Bob 

 

I wonder how many of those what would be quarter scale designs got made into real, driving cars.

 

Craig

[avgwarhawk]

I owned a tethered prop car.  Upon starting the small Cox engine the prop whacked two of my fingers.  To this day I have the scars on my fingers.  They just don't make great toys like that anymore. 

[avgwarhawk]

2 hours ago, avgwarhawk said:

I owned a tethered prop car.  Upon starting the small Cox engine the prop whacked two of my fingers.  To this day I have the scars on my fingers.  They just don't make great toys like that anymore. 

 

This was the exact prop car that I had.  Wish I still had it! 

 

[Max4Me]

On 9/26/2022 at 12:03 PM, Scott Bonesteel said:

I remember there being a demonstration track for these (on wires, not on rails) in Disneyland/Anaheim in the late 50s-early 60s.

OMG! Thank you! I went to Disneyland in the early 60s and I swore I remembered this track. My sisters said I made it up.  I guess I’m not crazy after all! (Well….)