National Products "Standard Oil Research Test Car"
National Sales and Mfg Co., Des Moines, Iowa, serial number S1252, patent pending
Specifications: Children's Gas Powered Race Car, 7' long, 2' wide, 2' high, red painted metal with 8-1/4" diameter 2-1/4" wide balloon tires, powered by one-cylinder engine
Submitted by Julie Cornelius of Bagley, Iowa
Provenance: Won in a drawing by Julie's father at age 9 or 10, circa 1932-1933

On September 5th, 2003, Julie Cornelius of Bagley, Iowa - jrcorne@netins.net - wrote:

Q: Can you help me out with information on a kiddie car? It was made out of metal and powered by a one-cylinder engine. The overal length is 7 feet, width 2 feet, and height 2 feet. The tires were blow-up rubber tires. They seem to be 8-1/4 inches diameter and 2-1/4 inches wide. There is an emblem on the front reading "Standard Oil Research Test Car." It also says that National Sales and Mfg. Co., Des Moines, IA, made it. It also shows patent pending, but a serial number of S 1252 is shown.

My father had won this in a drawing at about age 9 or 10. He was born in 1923, so I am guessing that this was manufactured in the early 1930s.

I would like to restore this as original. If you have any information, please share.

A: Thank you for sending the photos of the National Products riding toy car. I don't know whether this is the same National Products as the company purchased by Banthrico in 1940. Banthrico started in Chicago in 1931 as the Banker's Thrift Corporation, producing promotional coin banks. National Products was best known for producing scale model promotional cars for dealerships, but I have found no previous information documenting the company's production of kiddie cars, especially gas-powered. Your toy car could be an important historical connection between the two companies.

In original mint condition, this car would be worth somewhere in the area of $2,500-$7,500. In current condition, it's still likely worth $250-750. If faithfully restored, it could bring $1,500-4,500 or more at auction. I would suggest contacting a conservatory such as the Henry Ford Museum, or antique toy expert Noel Barrett (to whom I am sending a copy of this e-mail), to more accurately determine its value and how much it would cost to restore.

Contact:
Noel Barrett
PO Box 300
Carversville PA 18913
215-297-5109
toys@noelbarrett.com
www.noelbarrett.com