See a new page with all the photos of Unidentified Pedal Jeeps.
A nice example of the pedal Jeep built by Junior-Pro Products in St. Louis has turned up. This one, photographed by Melissa Burton, has the optional electric motor under the rear seat.
See more details and photos of the Junior-Pro Electric/Pedal Jeep.
The pedal-car Jeeps made by Hamilton were a hot toy through the 1950's and early 60's, "loaded with play value" according to an ad for the Air Force Jeep (50K GIF) which for some reason became perhaps the most popular version. This 1957 photo shows Ray Law in Florida in an all-grey USAF Jeep. Hamilton also made a Fire Engine, Tow Truck, Surrey, Army Jeep, and Roy Rogers Jeep.
See more details and photos of the Hamilton Pedal-Drive Jeeps.
While the Hamilton pedal cars ruled in North America, the Tri-ang toys from the UK, with their distinctive narrow rubber tires on large metal wheels, were built as early as 1953 and also in several other countries. They are also found under the brand names Thistle, Cyclops and Anchor.
See more details and photos on a page of Tri-ang Pedal Jeeps.
Torck was a Belgian manufacturer of pedal cars using a Jeep design very similar to Tri-ang. This 1958 example is from the extensive Torck collection of Katrien Lingier and Peter Van Veirdegem in Deinze, Belgium. They also have a black & white 1956 police Jeep (100K JPEG).
See more details on Torck toys on Katrien and Peter's website in Belgium.
The Mobo Scout Car dating from the 1960's had a distinctive shape but was clearly inspired by the jeep. This one was photographed by Andy Doran in the UK.
A nice rear view photo (200K JPEG) of a Mobo that Katrien and Peter have for sale in Belgium shows details including instruments on the dash.
The Steger Jeeps can be recognized by their wood sides and back attached to a steel front end. This example has original "Fire Patrol" graphics. It originally had grab handles and ladders (20K JPEG) on both sides.
A Steger found by Gary Keating has a shorter wheelbase (20K JPEG). Date and location of manufacture are unknown.
Rick Leroy identifies this colorful US Air Force Jeep as a Garton model 5400, dating from about 1964. An Army version (70K JPEG) originally had a bazooka gun attached to the side.
Sherwood in Walden NY made this pedal Jeep with a tall, folding windshield. A March 1948 ad from Playthings magazine (80K JPEG) mentions that the toy was introduced in 1947, and clearly shows that the design was based on the civilian CJ-2A rather than the earlier WWII jeeps. See also a rear view photo (50K JPEG). Dimensions are 42" long, 15-1/4" wide, and 21-1/2" high at the steering wheel with the windshield folded down
Barry McCloskey found this Jeep whose distinctive angled, non-folding windshield indicates it's another Sherwood design, as seen in a photo by D & S Pedal Car Restorations. Colin Peabody suggests it's possible this model was based on the 1948-51 two-wheel-drive Willys Jeepster, and sent along a photo of a full-size Jeepster (70K JPEG) owned by Jimmy Ryder.
See also top view (20K JPEG) and front view (20K JPEG) photos of Barry's find. Does anyone have photos of a complete example of this toy?
This Liberty (still called a Cherokee in Europe) from TotCars is a pedal Jeep for the 21st century:
"The new Jeep Cherokee dual pedal is the ultimate 4x4 pedal car for kids. Made under license from Chrysler Jeep, this is an authentic little version of the real thing. Featuring a spacious two-seater interior with steel chassis, tough polypropolene body, rotary pedals for both drivers, alloy-look wheels and all the authentic Jeep badges. The Jeep is the largest vehicle we sell with an extemely spacious interior and movable seats. The pedal system enables the Jeep to be powered by the driver alone or both the driver and passenger."
The price was about US$560 as of late 2003. There was a 12-volt battery-powered version for about US$800. As of 2011, TotCars.co.uk was selling an example used briefly in a TV show (see YouTube) for £2,500.
In a bit more of a classic style, this all-wood flatfender was built until about 2004 by Vilac, a French company which makes a wide range of wooden toys. Jerome Stevens says he found it selling for about 400 Euros in late 2003. The pink one had flowers and an umbrella. There was also a fire Jeep complete with shovel.
A little cheaper at US$230 is this U.S. Army pedal Jeep, apparently licenced by Jeep Corporation, which was available online for a few years. The last time I checked it was out of stock.
Thanks to Colin Peabody, Andy Doran, Glenn Byron, Rick Leroy, Bill Robinson, Randy Judd, Mike Winchester, David Zidaric, J-F Lavie and Gary Keating. -- Derek Redmond
Also on The CJ3B Page, see:
D & S Pedal Car Restorations has information on pedal car identification, including photos of Jeeps by Midwest, Hamilton and Sherwood.
Return to the Toy Jeeps Pages on The CJ3B Page.
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