We are excited to bring you this rare and wonderful, Regulation Daily News, Burlington, Vermont soap box derby car with the original helmets.
Circa 1954 and weighs about 225 pounds. Measures 78" long and has a 32" wheel base.
Features painted wood panels, which a double tapered form with red & white stripes and a blue American Flag theme with the ad for the Burlington Daily News, Burlington, Vt. on the sides. Does have the official Soap Box Derby wheels and hard rubber tires along with 2 official Chevrolet Body by Fisher, Soap Box Derby helmets.
This came out of an Estate in Massachusetts and we brought it back to Vermont! What a rare opportunity to own such a beautiful piece of folk art, one that will definitely be an eye catcher and would be a great focal point to any collection. This definitely is a museum piece!
I have tried contacting the All-American Soap Box Derby Headquarters and the Vermont Historical Society; however, we have been unable to find out who the original racer was, if you happen to know, we would definitely love to hear from you!
We just heard from Ron Reed, the curator of the All-American Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame and Museum in Akron.
He writes: I am the curator of the All-American Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame and Museum in Akron. As per your request here is the info I have on the Burlington Champ in 1954. The heat lineup was as follows:
Heat 35
Lane 1 105 Merritt James Omaha Neb.
Lane 2 14 Harry Meeth 3rd Baltimore Md.
Lane 3 28 Stuart D. Campbell Burlington Vt.
Baltimore won the heat and Omaha finished second. The Burlington champ was third. Meeth's winning time was 28.07 seconds which was rather slow. He was then beaten in the second round by Monty LaFaber of Ashtabula Ohio who went on to place seventh overall.
We have no photos of the Burlington car so if you could email me a photo of it I would be grateful.
This piece in wonderful condition for the period, wear commensurate with age and use. Scattered areas of light paint loss, especially along the seams and edges. Fading to the red and white from age or how it was stored. Looks to be some of the advertising was removed from the top of car, as you will see in the photos provided.
