Pursuit Pedal Plane

Taking to the air for Military purposes, were thought of as early as 1783, and then during the Civil War hot air balloons were used by the armies to look at enemy troops. The first airplane that was flown was a glider, however was non-motorized and difficult to manipulate.                                                                 In 1903 the Wright Brothers made their first powered airplane that they named the “flyer.” It was a biplane (two winged plane) that had a 12 horse power engine, they had built themselves. The wings were 40 feet wide, wooden, and covered with cotton cloth. The pilot would lay on the lower wing on his stomach and steer the plane. In 1908 the Wright Brothers finally made a plane that could fly for more that one and a half hours.                                                                  In 1908, Thomas Selfridge went up in a plane with Orville Wright. When they were 75 feet high, a propeller broke. The plane crashed, which killed Thomas and left Orville injured, yet the Wright Brothers did not give up. In 1909, they were commissioned by the military to build the first military plane.                                                                                                                        Airplane travel has improved a great deal since the first efforts of the Wright Brothers. Airplanes now travel thousands of miles at altitudes of more 30,000 feet, carrying hundreds of passengers. These passengers enjoy in comfortable seats and heated environment. Jet engines have replaced propellers and speeds are greater than 600 miles per hour. Not even the Wright brothers could have imagined what air travel would be like today.       The XP-72 Wasp Major Thunderbolt, was a hearty performer with the historical numbers and a stellar history to reinforce it’s respective legacy, symbolized like our Army Pursuit Pedal Plane utilized in the Pacific campaign.  Designs utilized during war time tend to outclass all those other “impressive” designs appearing during peacetime or in low-level conflicts. War was a driving force bringing out the best (and worst) in any weapon, and helps to separate superior designs from average ones.

Corsair Pedal Plane

Since the end of the Second World War, there has raged a on-going debate over which was the best overall fighter aircraft to emerge from the Pacific campaign. This debate shows no sign of slowing down to this day. From the era of “Pedal Planes“, school boys of the mid nineteen forties to the aviation “Top Guns” of the 1990′s, P-51 advocates pitch their case with Spitfire men and Rocket defenders, and so goes the debate.                                                             While these debates certainly do not lack for passion, they frequently lack realistic perception of the aircraft in question. There is some foundational evidence that strongly shores up the argument that the Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair was the finest all around fighter of the war. Certainly it qualifies as the best fighter/bomber, of the Pacific.                                  The F4U-4 was thrust into combat early in 1945. Therefore, it had only about six months to establish its superior record against the Japanese. It gained a sterling reputation for delivering ordnance with great accuracy. Indeed, the Corsair earned quite the respect of enemy pilots flying the MiG-15. Vought’s Corsair was a fighter that could not be treated lightly. In a turning fight below 350 knots, the MiG pilot could find himself in big trouble very quickly.                                                                                                                                                               It was fitted with an un-matched Pratt & Whitney R2800-18W or -42W engine. This powerplant rendered 2,450 bhp with water injection. It was also equipped with a four blade hydromatic propeller which provided the efficiency to utilize the superior power. The carburetor inlet was moved from the wing root leading edge to a duct located under the engine. The exhaust stacks had to be re-routed as a result. Armament remained the same as the F4U-1, with six .50 caliber Browning MGs. Up to three 1,000 lb. bombs along with eight 5 inch rockets could be carried. Reportedly, it was not unusual to rig the F4U-4 with as much as 6,000 lbs of ordnance. Apparently the reinforced structure of the Corsair could bear these loads without excessive wear and tear on the airframe. Almost certainly, such overloaded Corsairs did not operate from carrier decks, but exclusively from shore bases.

32' Ford Roadster Antique Toy Pedal Car

If you’re having wistful thoughts, thinking deeply or seriously, maybe even at moments having some sad or melancholy thoughts; you’re in a sate of “Nostalgia”.  A state of  deep thoughtfulness, or excessively sentimental yearning for return to a time period, or of some past period or irrecoverable trend;  that trend could be one that has lived on across America, cherishing Antique Toy Pedal Cars.                         You’re having a yearning to return to a past period , that evokes music from Oldies Jukeboxes, hamburgers from drive-in-diners, and riding in charming Pedal Cars with pedal-power that could not be extinguished.  This is a juvenile reminiscence that takes you back in time. You’re visualizing a vintage collectible,  collected for it’s ornateness, age, beauty, rarity, being original, condition, use, unique design or inlay, charm, and emotional impact to you the beholder.                        At Pedal Car Express we feature a wide selection of Antique Toy Pedal Cars with an ” Attitude”, an Attitude of “Joy”- from the 55′ Classic Chevy, to the Jalopy Pedal Cars, Antique Pedal Fire Trucks, to 32′ Ford Roadsters, Tow-trucks and more. These are the stunning, delightful Pedal Cars that have stood the Test of time, our Antique Toy Pedal Cars, because of their quality and uniqueness, the Joy exudes from children and collectors, and because of their charm , a reminder that nothing but time and Tender Loving Care ( TLC ) is evident in these Pedal Cars, that  seems to radiate from these beautifully crafted Heirlooms.

1932 Ford Antique Pedal Fire Truck

Even military surplus vehicles have been modified and equipped for use thru the past years. From the earliest Fire Truck to what we have today, is the improvement and development into the state-of-art Trucks, as a result of the Safety needs of the courageous Firemen. Though some personnel used to ride on the back of engines, protected by roll bars, better, larger and more efficient Fire Engines evolved with fully enclosed air-conditioned cabs for personnel to ride safely and with comfort. Enclosed cabs are being added to Bull-dozers as well used in the Forest Fire operations, protecting the operators from heat, dust, noise and fire.                                                                              Fire truck cabs used to be considered just a place in which to sit and ride to the fire. Older vehicles didn’t even have tops on the cabs, let alone windows, seatbelts and air conditioning. But these days, safety is the buzzword, and when nobody gets hurt, it is considered a win. To that end, fire departments and apparatus manufacturers are installing safety devices to help ensure that everyone goes home. Roofs soon arrived, making them the first cab safety feature. They kept firefighters dry and allowed manufacturers to begin developing new warning lights to mount on top.Today’s rigs feature lightheads on practically every square inch of the cab, and each will flash 300 times per minute. Along with roofs came proper doors and windows, which helped keep firefighters safe and trap heat.                                                                                                                      Someone then came up with the idea of dual-blade windshield wipers, which gave firefighters a little better view during challenging runs in the rain.Firefighters in the back still were riding in jump seats with only a seatbelt and a death grip  — which they perfected during their days of riding on the tailboard. Firefighters frequently fell from tailboards, and learned every bump in their local towns roads, while riding sideways. So it is – the Antique Pedal Fire Truck is a wonderful reminder of how simple life was 90 years ago, and how much more Safe we are today.

1932 Ford Roadster Pedal Car

Antique Pedal Cars tend to exude a class, a class rooted in craftsmanship, thought of as a craft or skill, that renders a result – setting a “Standard” for the niche, made by artisans. A standard that is set, speaks for quality, for detail and a design that is fresh, original and unique. A uniqueness that eliminates clutter and replaces it with simplicity and gracious lines. It does not copy or mimick its predecessors, rather emerges with a design crisp and new, a departure from any other while retaining that ” Old Antique” nature.                                                       As adults, we tend to adorn our children with trivial toys, common toys having no impact on your precious child. We need to un-clutter our minds with the thought ” I cannot afford that toy for my Lil child”. Step out of this thought, into “Class”; into a thought that says “My child deserves nothing but the Best” ! This is transformation, a “Class-act”, that sends a message to your loved one – that they’re loved by you. Antique Pedal Car Class has transformed you into a breed apart.                                                                                                                                                             Upon responding to this charming antique class, just sit back and watch the “Thrill”, that consumes the heart of your Lil One; a Pedal Car will instill joy for hours upon hours. Even more memorable, you’ll find that “Thrill” will live on thru the coming decades, and your little one, will no doubt pass on another wonderful Heirloom to their child as well.

1919 Packard Pedal Car

The implications of an Antique, can have many fingers or factors to consider. We’re going “Antiquing”, means a departure from the repetitious work routine, an outing seeking an object that takes you back in time. And the time element is measured by many as before the 30′s or at least 75 years old, representing a previous era.                                                       Generally speaking an Antique is an aged collectible item, collected for it’s ornateness, age, beauty, rarity, being original, condition, use, unique design or inlay, charm, and emotional impact to the beholder. So it is with the Antique Pedal Car, which fills the “Wish List”, that possesses most of these qualities that Antique Collectors are drawn to. Drawn to a degree of Craftsmanship, and an attention to detail.                    Some of the oldest Pedal Cars charm collectors with Running Boards, oversize Headlights, Kerosene Lanterns, Ornaments, Brass Gauges, Fire-bells, and Engine Noise-makers, and trimmed in dazzling Brass or Chrome framed Windows, Door handles and levers.  Regardless of the degree of ornateness to the most simplistic design in Antique Pedal Cars, children and collectors simply love a toy, that has a uniqueness and charm that most other toys do not offer- why a Love Affair continues that cannot be extinguished .

55' Black Classic Chevy Pedal Car

As Jalopies were riding on the popular wave of week-end fun on the Icy Lakes in the north, and dry Lake Beds in the south in the 40′s – combined with the growth of gasoline pumping stations around America and the insatiable desire for more power in cars; this became the perfect Automotive Cocktail for the birth and explosion of the Pedal Classics Cars in America, in the early 50′s.                                                           Thus Muscle Cars were coined from the appearance and high-performance from cars such as the 55′ Chevy, Ford Mustang, Dodge Charger, Firebird and the Pontiac GTO, that evolved from the feverish consumerism that followed World War II, when bigger and faster were always better. The big V-8′s were stuffed into a customized space, and wheels spun out on Main Street USA, and on drag-strips across America from the early 50′s to the late 70′s.                                                                                                                                       Most of the time, these were beautiful cars with sweeping lines, and stunning appointments and striking paint jobs, rendering breath-taking and jaw-dropping results, enjoyed by Pedal Classics Car enthusiasts all across America. Most U.S. car manufacturers began packaging a factory hot rod with youth-oriented advertising, bringing about the muscle car phenomenon of the Sixties. These cars do leave a long lasting impression, rarely the most powerful and with no risk, touting a charming brilliance that comes with each model, elevating the Pedal Car to be up there with the best of ride-on-toys.

32' Ford Roadster Pedal Car

The Pedal Cars Kids love, makes one find nothing but happiness in the kids face. Making them go in the car as a driver for their own vehicle is something interesting and helps them enjoy to the core, while gripping their very own! So for parents who would like to revive the beauty of the past while letting their kids enjoy their childhood, getting a pedal car is the perfect answer.                                                                                               Forget about keeping in mind that a ride-on car needs to be in a pedal racer design. It is about time to explore other car styles that will certainly feed every kid’s imagination. There is a car for kids that does work great outside, inexpensive, and can bring years of enjoyment. These are pedal cars, very much like the push kart I had as a child. Pedal cars are larger than push cars and work great outdoors, especially on hard surfaces. These cars are driven through a pedal and chain system just like ones found on bicycles so they are easy to operate and enjoyed a lot more by older kids than push cars.                                                                          Allowing your child the freedom to play in safety whilst keeping fit is also good for your peace of mind. You know that your child is enjoying himself and you also know that he is getting essential development and exercise. In addition – Antique Pedal Cars have become quite collectible. Replicas of these historical “machines” provide the perfect solution to the perplexing frustration in kids who are just itching to get behind the wheel, offering charm that seems to lubricate all the moving parts. Offering much of what a real car does, these foot-powered vehicles are exhilarating; casting memories for a lifetime.

1932 Antique Pedal Car Fire Truck

“You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen, Comet, and Cupid, and Donner, and Blitzen; But do you recall The most famous reindeer of all?                     Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose and if you ever saw it you would even say it glows.                   All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names. They never let poor Rudolph play in any reindeer games.                       Then one foggy Christmas eve Santa came to say: [Ho ho ho!] ‘Rudolph with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?’                   Then all the reindeer loved him and they shouted out with glee, [yippee!] ‘Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, you’ll go down in history!’                                                     And this magic has thrilled children down thru the ages, with the thrill of something so unique that may be theirs, they wait up all hours in bed on the nite-before-Xmas in anticipation they may hear Reindeers coming or maybe even see Santa slipping thru the chimney, to only drift off to sleep.                                                                                                                 Santas thinking of leaving something so special- something that lives up to a Universal experience shared around the world, that will continue to leave an everlasting sparkle in every children’s heart – that gift is a Pedal Car, adorned in hood ornaments, bells, chrome hub caps and steering wheel, and wooden ladders and more.                                                                                                                                                            With all the help Santa has had from his elves, there’s a charming Antique Pedal Car for any child, in many different styles and colors, and will make wonderful Heirlooms for life.