Mechanical toy car, friction drive mechanism, pressed steel, probably made by DP Clark, United States, about 1900

Toy friction-powered motor car, made from pressed steel which is painted red. It has a high, four-seated design, similar to a carriage, with four large, spoked wheels. The wheels are of cast iron.

Given by Mr. F. Gordon Roe

Given to the V&A's Furniture and Woodwork department in 1940, with the intention they would be displayed in the Children's Gallery at the Bethnal Green Museum (later known as the V&A Museum of Childhood). They were formally transferred to BGM/MoC the same year (see MA/1/R1399 for acquisition details, and MA/62/1/21 for the transfer).
[40/1294]

F. Gordon Roe was an antiquary who gave many items to the V&A between 1922 and 1981. This object is part of a group of toys (W.22 to 33-1940) which he offered 'owing to the unsettled times'. The acceptance and delivery to the Museum had to be fitted around Mr. Roe's A.R.P. duties. Roe published about all the objects in various articles for the magazines Antiques and The Connoisseur.

On entry to the Museum, this object's condition was noted as 'scratched'. The donor made no apology for this, stating it 'had been one of my most popular possessions. Hardened antiquaries have played with it quite nicely!'

Probably made by Ohio-based company D.P. Clark, who in 1897 were the first to patent the friction motor. Clark toys can usually be identified by a large, squared-off flywheel which usually contacts both the axles. Most also have their wheels set closely together.

W.26-1940