1939 Soap Box Derby Car

Summary

Mason Colbert placed third with this car in the 1939 All-American Soap Box Derby national championship in Akron, Ohio. The first official derby was held in 1934. Young contestants built their cars from soap boxes, orange crates, and baby carriage wheels. Over the years, designs became more elaborate and materials more sophisticated. But the "fuel" remained the same -- gravity.

Mason Colbert placed third with this car in the 1939 All-American Soap Box Derby national championship in Akron, Ohio. The first official derby was held in 1934. Young contestants built their cars from soap boxes, orange crates, and baby carriage wheels. Over the years, designs became more elaborate and materials more sophisticated. But the "fuel" remained the same -- gravity.

Artifact

Coaster car

Date Made

1939

Creators

Colbert, Mason 

Place of Creation

United States, Nebraska, Nebraska City 

Creator Notes

Likely made by Mason Colbert, the driver of the car, in the area of Nebraska City, Nebraska

 On Exhibit

at Henry Ford Museum in Driven to Win: Racing in America

Object ID

87.199.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Mason Colbert.

Material

Metal
Rubber (Material)
Wood (plant material)

Technique

Homemade

Color

Dark blue
Orange (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 18.5 in

Width: 33.5 in

Wheelbase: 67.5 in

Length: 79.5 in  (Wheel Diameter)

Weight: 108 lbs

Inscriptions

Either side: NORTH PLATTE NEBR. DAILY TELEGRAPH

Related Content

Connect 3

Discover curious connections between artifacts.

Learn More