Early to Mid 20th Century Decorative Arts Auction
Thursday, 5 - Thursday, 12 October 2023
Large early tin plate wind up vintage race car
Current Bid $380 (41 bids, reserve met)
This lot is now closed 12 Oct 8:22 PM (NZST)
Buyer premium and GST is additional to your bid.
All bids are subject to our buyer terms and conditions
Lot Details
Large early tin plate wind up vintage race car. Made by Kingsbury toys keene. N. H. USA. This model is an accurate representation of the Golden Arrow Racer circa 1929. It is modelled on the car designed by Captain J. S. Irving and driven by Major H. O. D. Segrave at Daytona Beach, Florida that same year. There the car broke the land speed record, reaching a speed of 231.446 mph. Measuring 500mm in length. One rear Wheel missing. Circa late 1920’s. Captain J. S. Irving, who had also designed the previous 1,000 horsepower Sunbeam, was responsible for the Irving Special, or Golden Arrow, one of the prettiest record breakers made. A new idea which was tried and worked was a telescopic sight so that the driver could aim the car without taking his eyes off the oil-slick ahead. Irving had left Sunbeam by the time he was asked to design the car, and this time decided to use a Napier Lion aero engine of the 900 horse-power Schneider Trophy type as used by Malcolm Campbell at one stage of Bluebird's development. This engine, as used in the Supermarine S.5, ran on a 10-1 compression ratio, and British Petroleum (BP) supplied a special alcohol fuel, used at the rate of three miles to the gallon.
