The other day, the creators of a game called Carnology, sent us a copy to take for a spin. The whole point of the game is to test your knowledge of cars. There are cards with pictures of automobiles from the 1900s through the 2000s and you have to guess what they are to advance. We like the concept because we have spent many hours attempting to identify passing cars on the street. That past-time provided the inspiration for this game and even our Name that Car column. Anyway, the game is high quality and recommended by us. In fact, we enjoyed it so much that we started looking for other games that car guys might find interesting.
Carnology is brand new, but seeing as how this is a site about well-used stuff, we thought we should dig up some car-inspired games of the vintage variety. First off is this 1965 copy of Merger. This one is obviously a board game that lets players manipulate the automobile stock market. We have never played it, but it look like a good alternative to Monopoly. This particular copy is currently the only one for sale on eBay.
While on eBay we also ran across this card game entitled Touring. It was made for many years and we wouldn’t be surprised if a few of you have a copy in the closet. Now you can go on a road rally without ever leaving the kitchen! This set is the 1937 edition and is listed for about the same price of a new board game. We know this is not our standard offering here on Barn Finds, but we thought it might provide a nice change of pace. Do you guys have memories of any other car-related games?
Interesting post. I also love car games. I had not heard of “Touring”, but I thought it looked very similar to a French game called “Mille Bornes”. Sure enough, the two are linked, according to Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touring_%28card_game%29
(how do I make that a hyperlink?)
Bobinott
It links it up for you automatically Bobinott. Thanks for sharing.
Oh…. never mind, it became a link all by itself. Cool….
Bobinott
p.s. Mille Bornes is still available, both in an American version and the original French
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mille_Bornes
I never played Touring but I’ve always liked Mille Bornes. If circuit racing is more your thing than a rally theme, this might be worth seeking out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_Circuit
Nice find, Greg. You sent me scrambling to the basement to find my copy of Speed Circuit. I had forgotten still had it! Now I just need to invite some of my old racing buddies over.
Great Idea
I am afraid though, that with this crowd here you’d go through all the difficult cards one time around and then that’s the end (never mind the easy ones).
Unless the game can be adjusted to new or different ‘degree of difficulty’ sets of cards.
Just a suggestion….
A new/more difficult set would be a way to continously improve the game and keep it interesting (plus added revenue ??)
the possibilities are endless …
Some of our facebook followers mentioned these two – Assembly Line and Dealer’s Choice.
My wife and I together with our two girls love playing Mille Bournes. It’s the version in french and my sister who studied at the Sorbonne and has a degree in french just about cries when we kill the language playing the game. One of the best card games ever, epecially if you play for most distance in a half hour.
My dad bought a game of Touring home back in the early 60s. We all enjoyed playing it until the cards got so worn out that they were impossible to shuffle. I’d like to find another.
How about Parker Brothers Dealers Choice from 1972?