9:02 AM
They're small, but they're big fun--and they could fetch a pile of money when they cross the auction block at a vintage-car event Oct. 10. That's when 11 customized pedal cars will be sold to benefit the Antique Automobile Club of America in Hershey, Pa.
The field includes the "Codorus Cruiser," which is based on a vintage Packard, "Josie's '56," which was spawned from a 1956 Cadillac, and "Y2Kid," which comes from Harley Earl's iconic 1938 concept car, the Buick Y-Job.
These toys are far from child's play. The mini classics are designed and built by a number of noted car enthusiasts, including former General Motors designer Steve Pasteiner, prototype and motorsports company PSI and classic-car restorers Al Prueitt and Sons.
RM Auctions, which is running the sale, estimates the cars will sell for $5,000 to $20,000 each. The cars are expected to be "absolutely spectacular," as Steve Moskowitz, the Antique Auto Club's executive director, put it, and feature intricate details and styling.
For many of the entrants, spectacular is standard procedure. Take Pasteiner, for example. A designer at General Motors for 22 years, he started his own custom firm in 1988, and has since given us commemorative Corvettes that look like 1950s cars, but are based on the recent C5 underpinnings.
His pedal creation, the "Y2Kid," is nearly finished, though he's still doing some painting and welding. It's expected to be true to the one-of-a-kind Y-Job, while invoking the spirit of a toy.
"You have to capture that essence of a kid's perception of a dream car," Pasteiner said.
All of the designers started with a replica of the Champion Comet. In addition to the colorful names, the pedal cars have a number of intricate features, including stock fabric from a '56 Cadillac, real chrome and 24-carat-gold plating on "Josie's," and a navy-blue leather interior with plush seats on the "Cruiser."
Two more classic pedals--a Model T and a 1932 Ford--are to be sold Oct. 8 in a related auction which also benefits the club.
The field includes the "Codorus Cruiser," which is based on a vintage Packard, "Josie's '56," which was spawned from a 1956 Cadillac, and "Y2Kid," which comes from Harley Earl's iconic 1938 concept car, the Buick Y-Job.
These toys are far from child's play. The mini classics are designed and built by a number of noted car enthusiasts, including former General Motors designer Steve Pasteiner, prototype and motorsports company PSI and classic-car restorers Al Prueitt and Sons.
RM Auctions, which is running the sale, estimates the cars will sell for $5,000 to $20,000 each. The cars are expected to be "absolutely spectacular," as Steve Moskowitz, the Antique Auto Club's executive director, put it, and feature intricate details and styling.
For many of the entrants, spectacular is standard procedure. Take Pasteiner, for example. A designer at General Motors for 22 years, he started his own custom firm in 1988, and has since given us commemorative Corvettes that look like 1950s cars, but are based on the recent C5 underpinnings.
His pedal creation, the "Y2Kid," is nearly finished, though he's still doing some painting and welding. It's expected to be true to the one-of-a-kind Y-Job, while invoking the spirit of a toy.
"You have to capture that essence of a kid's perception of a dream car," Pasteiner said.
All of the designers started with a replica of the Champion Comet. In addition to the colorful names, the pedal cars have a number of intricate features, including stock fabric from a '56 Cadillac, real chrome and 24-carat-gold plating on "Josie's," and a navy-blue leather interior with plush seats on the "Cruiser."
Two more classic pedals--a Model T and a 1932 Ford--are to be sold Oct. 8 in a related auction which also benefits the club.
