American National Deluxe Coupe pedal car, luxury version with opening doors, sliding windows, interior upholstery and curtains 68 inches long, topped the sale, selling for $66,000 against an estimate of $20/40,000.
WILLOUGHBY, OHIO — Milestone Auctions gave collectors what they wanted on September 24, rolling out a diverse offering of antique and vintage toys from the Mark Smith collection along with additions from several other consignors. The 755-lot sale was active from start to finish, with many international bidders taking part. After a long but rewarding day at the podium, auctioneer and company co-founder Miles King closed the books at $505,200.
Rare pedal cars from the early days of motoring dominated the day, with a swanky American National Deluxe Coupe pedal car in the lead. Boasting every possible luxury option, including opening doors, sliding windows, a dashboard with simulated gauges and interior upholstery and curtains, the 68-inch car was presented with a $20/40,000 estimate. Well aware of its rarity, collectors pushed it to a final price of $66,000.
Another scarce production was the early, all-original Gendron chain-drive Packard pedal car with a steel body and wood radiator, tires and frame. Its paint was 100 percent original, and it was so complete, it even retained its Gendron Wheel Co factory decal. Against an estimate of $8/12,000, it glided to a stop at $24,000.
Big boys love their Buddy L’s. With their hefty pressed-steel construction and authentic look, they’re classic automotive toys and never have a problem finding a new owner. A scarce Buddy L 1-ton Express Truck with original black paint, red spoked wheels and factory decals came to the podium with expectations of landing in the $1/1,500 range. But fueled by aggressive bidders, the 14-inch-long “flivver” put it into overdrive and sped to an impressive $7,200 finish.
Rare and early all-original Gendron 50-inch-long chaindrive pedal car with steel body and wood radiator, tires and frame, sold for $24,000 against an estimate of $8/12,000.
More than a dozen gas-powered “tether” racers were offered. The cars gained their name from the fact that, before the days of being raced on tracks, they were raced one at a time while tethered. Such racers enjoy a fanatical following, said King, because they’re “as close as you can get to feeling like you’re a professional driver without actually being behind the wheel.” Many bidding cards were in the air for a 17-inch-long Domo Maserati gas-powered tether racer in all-original condition. Made in Trino, Italy, and exhibiting the modern Italian styling of its period, the racer crossed the finish line at $6,600.
All original and never played with, a Kingsbury windup Golden Arrow Racer with its original pictorial box had another exciting bonus: the original factory tag with an image of Major H.O.D Segrave. The toy authentically replicates the streamlined racer driven by Major Henry Segrave in March 1929 when he broke the world land speed record at Daytona Beach, Fla. Clocking at 231.45 mph, Segrave beat the existing record held by American Ray Keech and won a new distinction for his native United Kingdom. Ninety-three years after its release, the Golden Arrow toy racer still charms collectors. The example at Milestone’s sale commanded nearly twice its high estimate, selling for $1,980.
An Ideal Fix-It Tow Truck, complete with parts, tools and its original box sold for $1,260 against an estimate of $300/500; while a Marx battery-operated 18-inch-long Giant Bulldozer, new/old stock in its still-sealed original box, realized $4,920, more than 12 times the high estimate.
Prices given include the buyer’s premium as stated by the auction house. For information, www.milestoneauctions.com or 440-527-8060.
