17 stars from the world’s cutest classic car collection – and they’re for sale!

Pint-sized but packed with potential

There’s a departure from the norm at a forthcoming RM Sotheby’s sale – and the clue is in the name.

The online only ‘Pedal Power’ auction, that runs from 17-24 June, will see 53 apparently ‘museum quality’ classic pedal cars cross the block.

And not just cars, but planes, trucks and boats, too. Enough to fire the imagination of any youngster, surely?

The items date from 1927 to 1977 and were collected by Bruce Callis who, with grandson Michael Ready, restored many of them, and they were previously exhibited at the McLean County Museum of History in Bloomington, Illinois.

All lots will be offered with no reserve and would make a charming addition to – or starting point for – anyone’s collection.

1. c1955 J40 Roadster (est: $2-3000)

We’ll start with this one which will be familiar to anyone who’s witnessed the Goodwood Revival’s Settrington Cup.

Based on the Austin A40, the J40 was built between 1949-1971 in Wales as part of a scheme to keep disabled former mine workers employed, and more than 30,000 were built.

And the good news for any prospective bidder is that earlier this year, classic car carburettor specialist Burlen acquired J40 Motor Company, and has said it will maintain the supply of spare parts.

This example has an opening bonnet and boot, a spare tyre, a functioning horn and battery-powered lights.

2. 1959 Hot Rod Racer #5 (est: $6-900)

This colourful, 61-year-old lot certainly shows its years – and that is because it is one of the items in this no-reserve sale that hasn’t been restored.

Still, its patina is rather charming and its bright finish makes it very distinctive.

Made by Garton Toy Company, this chain-driven racer sold for $18.95 in the 1959 Montgomery Ward catalogue.

3. 1941 Lincoln-Zephyr (est: $2-3000)

This two-tone delight with its sweeping lines and external horn oozes ’40s chic – and it’s expected to be one of the highest achievers in this RM Sotheby’s sale.

Made by Steelcraft, this mini version of classic luxury has us wishing we were kids again.

4. c1935 Chevrolet (est: $1800-2500)

This child-sized Chevy has one up on many of the lots in this quirky sale – it appears to have a cushioned seat! In bronze to match the rest of the car, naturally.

Also created by Steelcraft, these models were built between 1935 and ’37, and this car’s cone-shaped headlight pods are a delightful detail.

5. c1941 Oldsmobile (est: $1000-1500)

Pedal cars were often pretty accurate, if down-sized, recreations of road cars, giving kids of the time a chance to pilot a miniature version of their parents’ car.

This eye-catching Oldsmobile is from late in Steelcraft’s 1938-1941 production run.

6. 1940 Ford (est: $1800-2500)

Lot 120 is this 80-year-old Ford that looks to be in stunning condition – well, it is predicted to hit around $1800-2500.

Callis and Ready invested a lot of time and effort into researching their restorations, to ensure the pedal cars were finished as they were when new, of which this is surely proof

7. c1969 Probe 3 (est: $600-900)

In the world of classic pedal cars – as with full-sized classic cars – there are models like this that stand out from the crowd. And this proves that not all these toys were based on real cars.

Thought to be the only three-wheeled pedal car, these were built by American Machine and Foundry in New Jersey between 1969 and 1973, seen here from behind.

It is steered using levers: pull the right lever back and push the left lever forwards to steer to the right, and vice-versa.

8. 1941 Chrysler Fire Chief (est: $1000-1500)

Now this looks like a bit of fun – although you could argue it was a little cheeky of its maker.

Why? Because the simple addition of a bell and fresh decal meant this Steelcraft-designed Chrysler could be sold as a ‘new’, different model. Still, it looks the part!

9. 1959 Kiddybird (est: $1800-2500)

The wonderfully monikered Kiddiebird is the work of Hamilton Steel Products and was inspired by a ’58 Chevy.

This is one of the earliest plastic-bodied pedal cars, with a steel frame and chain drive.

10. 1960 Speedway 500 Pace Car (est: $1200-1500)

This is pretty cool, don’t you think?

A chain-driven pedal car, it was penned for the Murray-Ohio Manufacturing Company by Industrialist artist Viktor Schreckengost, and was built from 1959 until the late ’60s.

Note the gunsight ornaments with reflectors atop the front wings.

11. c1977 Oreo Formula 1 Racer (est: $300-500)

From pace car to race car in this no-reserve sale brings us to this younger model, an F1-style racer with a plastic shell and a tubular metal frame.

Built by Kingsbury Toys, kids doubtless loved the fact it came complete with a sponsor to tease their sweet tooth (all Nabisco brands).

12. 1935 Pontiac (est: $1500-2000)

We’re winding the clock back with this, lot 111, and another Steelcraft product.

This time the child-sized design apes that of a 1935 Pontiac, finished in dark blue with yellow wheels and a light-blue-trimmed cabin.

13. 1935 Chrysler Airflow (est: $1200-1800)

The Chrysler Airflow is as distinctive in real life as when shrunk to pedal-car size, it seems!

However the miniature version proved more popular than the real thing, and production of Steelcraft’s toy lasted four years longer than the actual car.

This example has working headlamps.

14. 1964 Ford Mustang (est: $1000-2000)

Here’s another unmistakeable shape – the Ford Mustang.

One thing that’s special about these toys is that Ford teamed up with American Machine and Foundry to produce them, and the pedal-powered versions were sold alongside the real cars in Ford dealerships.

Available from December ’64, these were built until 1972.

15. 1936 Ford Roadster Electric Hot Rod (est: $1200-1500)

This lot doesn’t just stand out due to its lowered stance and blue headlamps – it’s electric.

Forget hammering away on pedals, peer into the cabin of this plastic, Kingsbury Toys creation and you’ll see a red ‘stop’ pedal and a green one for ‘go’.

16. c1935 Skippy Racer #9 (est: $1800-2500)

This sweet, stylish design is another of the lots that’s yet to be restored – and another that isn’t intended to be a precise pint-sized replica of a real car.

It is the work of the American National Company and it takes after popular racing cars of the ’30s.

17. 1955 ‘Sad Face’ Ranch Wagon (est: $800-1200)

Don’t be sad because we’ve reached the end – although you can see why this design is often referred to as ‘sad face’.

Produced by the Murray-Ohio Manufacturing Company, it was originally only available in two very period shades of Vermont Green, but we think this black-and-red combination suits it very well.

All these pedal cars and many more will go under the hammer with RM Sotheby’s at its online sale later this month (17-24 June) – find out more here.