The Vintage Pedal car - the earliest environmentally-friendly car!

There are different schools of thought regarding the “vintage” designation for cars. Some people think the end of world War I defined the end of the vintage era while the British insist 1930 was the year up to which a vintage car could be built. On the other hand, Americans prefer 1925 since it is the pre-classic car period as defined by the Classic Car Club of America. Some consider the start of World War II to be the end of the vintage period.

Vintage French Eureka Fiat Pedal Car

A Vintage Pedal car is powered by the feet and legs of the rider which is why they are the earliest environmentally-friendly cars. The late 1800s brought a two-seater horse and buggy version of Pedal cars, complete with functional pedals and a set of reigns to steer the horse. In 1930, an enclosed bicycle called the Velocar was invented in France, as the first human-powered car for human transportation.

A pedal car is a quadracycle. The Mochet Velocar seems to be the earliest example. Though originally designed for adult transportation, they were more popular with children and for adult recreation. A vintage Pedal car was usually built for racing. A “Surrey” is a four-wheeled, canopy-covered quadracycle, usually rented to vacationing adults. A racing Pedal Car is a four wheeled human powered single seater sports car used in Pedal Car Racing. Pedal Car Racing is a circuit racing endurance sport where teams of up to six drivers race single-seater human powered sports cars in races of up to twenty-four hours duration.

Vintage French ’40s Bentwood Roadster
In Original Condition

The design of a vintage Pedal car was not limited to an automobile body, here are some other examples:

• Tractors and dump trucks for a farmer or a construction worker
• Motorcycles
• Fire trucks
• A helicopter-style vintage pedal car
• Tugboats, speed boats and cruise ships made into pedal cars

Vintage Pedal cars are very popular with antique collectors and sports enthusiasts Whether it is a vintage pedal car, retro or modern, a pedal car stirs childhood memories and nostalgia.

France circa 1940: A Vintage French ’40s Bentwood Roadster: in original unrestored condition it would make a dynamite prop or the perfect gift for an auto enthusiast of any age.

OldPlank.com offers an incredible collection of Antiques and Collectibles imported from France and England. Antiques on Old Plank Road, 331 East Ogden Avenue, Westmont, IL 60559.

Author: Meshaal McLean