Not currently on display at the V&A

Remote control driving test

Table Game
ca.1955 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The aim of the game is to move the vehicles around the streets avoiding the obstacles. Each player plays individually and although scores may be acquired, the game is more for skill and dexeity than for gaining points. It also teaches road safety.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Remote control driving test (manufacturer's title)
  • A test of skill (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Printed card, plastics, metals
Brief description
Remote Control Driving Test, boxed; Card metal & plastic, English, Randalls?, 1955-58
Physical description
Boxed game. The box is printed in colours. Inside is a shelf printed with a street plan and a drawing of a street, vehicles, and a policeman at the bottom. At the centre bottom is a yellow plastic disc containing a red plastic and metal ball joint. Into this fits a metal post with a yellow plastic knob. By moving this handle, a trellis with a magnet is moved beneath the shelf. There are a cream car, a red car, a cream motorcycle and a red motorcycle, each with a loop of metal. These are moved around the playing surface by the magnet. There are also plastic obstacles placed on the board - a bus stop, double street lamp, letter box, telephone box, two Belisha beacons, policeman, a man and a woman, and a yellow garage which is glued to the board.
Dimensions
  • Length: 37.5cm
  • Width: 26.3cm
  • Depth: 6.6cm
Measurements taken from paper records - not checked on object.
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given by Major Charles Kirke.
Object history
Given by Charles Kirke in 1983 [83/1156]. Charles Kirke was born January 26, 1949. His mother worked in the toy department of Marshall & Snelgrove, many of the toys which he donated to us were given to him as Christmas presents between 1954 and 1962.
Historical context
Rewards: passing the test
Forfeits: not passing the test
No. of Players: 4
Equipment required: the playing surface
joystick
4 vehicles - cream car, red car, cream motorcycle, red motorcycle
*plastic obstacles which may be placed on the board-bus stop, double street lamp, letter box, telephone box, 2 Belisha beacons, policeman, woman, man, and a yellow garage (glued on).

Rules: The original box has a pictorial label printed in colours. Inside the box is a shelf printed with a street plan and a drawing of a street, vehicles and a policeman at the bottom. At the centre bottom is a yellow plastic disc containing a red plastic and metal ball joint. Into this fits a metal post with a yellow plastic knob. By moving the ball joint with the post, a trellis with a magnet is moved beneath the shelf. Each of the vehicles has a loop of metal and these are moved around the board by the magnet.

The body of the original box has a shelf, printed with a street plan and a drawing of a street, vehicles and a policeman at the bottom. At the centre bottom is a yellow plastic disc containing a red plastic and metal ball joint. Into this fits a metal post with a yellow plastic knob at the top. By moving the post in the ball joint, a trellis with a magnet is moved beneath the shelf/playing surface. There are two cars and two motorcycles of cream and red plastic, each with a loop of metal. These are moved around the playing surface by the magnet and the movement is controlled by the post. As well as navigating the street plan, there are obstacles, of plastic, which may be placed at random on the board - bus stop, double street lamp, letter box, telephone box, tw Belisha beacons, policeman, woman and man; a yellow plastic garage is glued to the board.
Production
randalls, a merit toy
Subjects depicted
Summary
The aim of the game is to move the vehicles around the streets avoiding the obstacles. Each player plays individually and although scores may be acquired, the game is more for skill and dexeity than for gaining points. It also teaches road safety.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.139-1983

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Record createdMarch 5, 2000
Record URL
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