The toy pedal car craze of the 20th Century came out of the desire for young buys to have a car of their own. I had one as a kid along with the requisite Radio Flyer pull wagon. In those days, they were made of metal but migrated to plastic as time went by. This one looks to be from the 1970s given its design and styling and it cleaned up nicely after being found. It looks all there and is available in Toledo, Ohio and here on Facebook Marketplace for $75.
Back in the day (and probably today, too), it seemed like pedal cars were everywhere. There may have been as many different makes and models as there was the real thing that our parents had. Before the advent of the internet, you dragged your folks into the store and pestered them for the pedal car of your dreams until you finally got it for Christmas or your birthday. It seems the first factory-built pedal cars come along in the 1890s and were well made, appealing mostly to kids who had some money behind them. They become less expensive and more plentiful after the turn of the century. A pedal version of the Model T sold almost as well as the real deal!
Baby Boomers consumed a lot of pedal cars as the postwar prosperity of the 1950s saw parents and kids alike getting new wheels. You could buy one out of the Sears catalog that was chain driven with battery-powered lights for $37, but most were a lot cheaper. Especially when production moved to the Far East and plastic took over for metal. That’s likely the era when the seller’s pedal car was made. Putt-Putt Mobile seems to be the nameplate, but I’ve had no luck finding out exactly who made it. Most online searches for that will get you miniature golf.
More than likely this was another forgotten toy that was found in someone’s basement or attic. The seller says it works as it should and has no broken or cracked parts that he could find. He did some cleaning up of the car and it looks rather good now. Perhaps ready for someone’s pedal car collection or just to be enjoyed by another child. For $75, how can you go wrong?
SBC, just because someone has to say it.
I was gonna say LS swap. Or maybe a Mazda rotary…
6-71 Detroit diesel…
Ha, I was going to say young “buys”.
Finally something in my price range
Or how ’bout a Tesla? When I was young, my grandparents bought me a
pedal car called a Scat cart. That was
1961 and I can’t recall who made it. Wanna say Radio Flyer but I might be
wrong. And if you want an adult pedal
car, you can still get one today. An outfit called Rhoades car has been making them awhile now. They’re still
around, but their products cost as much as a good used car! Can’t pedal far?
you can get one with an electric motor
to assist you along with a 42 speed
gearbox to boot! Wanna build one
yourself? You can buy the plans from
American Speedster that allow you to
build the pedal car of your dreams. You
build the frame from PVC piping and then add whatever bike parts, or electric
motor or both to give you just the pedal car you want. To see more, just go to
YouTube and type in Adult Quadricycle.
You’ll find everything you ever wanted to
know about these fascinating vehicles.
Better hurry on this one though, this one
will go very quick.
I totally had one of these! I remember seeing it on the shelf in the Bohack’s grocery store in Queens, NY. My grandfather bought it for me. He died when I was five or so, but one of my only memories of him was this car. When he gave it to me, it was very windy outside and one of the hubcaps blew off. We spent the entire day in his garage pretending to work on the car and he fastened the hubcaps. I haven’t seen one of these in years. If memory serves, it came with a top as well. Thanks for posting. This made my day!
Looks like a Bantam!
Not familiar with this exact model, but should run thru the std list of questions…..
“Nicest One Left?: Yes, until a nicer one pops up.
“1 of 1?” Doubtful. One-offs aren’t the norm from toy companies (matter of ROI).
“Rod or Restore?” Would think a good washing will suffice.
“Worth Saving?” Yes, would bring a child somewhere great joy.
Wow! I had one of these too. Forgot all about it. Brings back memories; and yes they had a top that came with them, more like a vinyl awning. There were 4 metal poles that would go into the 4 holes you see on the car where a windshield frame would be and on each side behind the seat. The plastic front hood panels also lifted so you could pretend to get to the engine. Forgot what was in there, probably a big sticker that looked like an engine. lol Have no idea what ever happened to it.
Oh wow, I still have mine, the first thing I bought with my own money, probably in 1974. It’s been outside for a while, though…doesn’t look nearly as nice as this one. I need to restore it and try to get it in the hands of a child who might appreciate it in its un-powered glory.
Finally! a restoration project I can afford!
Needs a new ball joint on the left side…..
I was a “Big Wheel” kid myself.
the molded plastic era cars will never hold the same value as pressed steel ones….just saying..
Wait a minute. I need to check my calendar…it must be April 1st.
To me it’s uncle Donald’s car!
Good to see an underside pic!
Wow! What a great find. I got this same car for Xmas back in 1974. I have some great photos of it with the canopy (made of vinyl?).
In 2020, I actually found the small owners manual for this car when I was searching through old files of my mothers. Thought it was long gone.
Here are some notes about the car from the manual:
Putt Putt Mobile
Model No. P189
Manufacturer: Pines of America Inc., Ft. Wayne, Indiana
The manual has an exploded view of the car parts and a list of all the parts, if you needed to order a replacement. They even included a postcard “Something Missing?” for you to send off for the parts.
I’ve made scanned copies of the manual as a back up. Reach out to me, if you’d like to see them.
I’d post pics, but don’t have a membership. I guess it’s time to return to my Youtube videos of vintage toys.