A Victorian pedal car, circa 1900

A Victorian pedal car, circa 1900,
red painted steel framework with wooden and wicker bodywork, leatherette unholstered deep button padded seat back with removable padded squab, front wheel drive with pedals and cranks to 14 inch diameter wheel, painted white with red rim and white rubber tyre, with early and unusual steering wheel control. The twin rear wheels 22 inch diameter, fitted with twin shoe brakes and red painted lever to right hind side, the rear axle mounting with simple curved sprung supports for the body, white painted mud guards, overall 92cm L x 55cm W x 68cm H.

Footnotes

This is the earliest known pedal car to use a steering wheel, derived from an early tricycle with curved front influenced by the coachwork of an 1890s Benz, the maker is unknown but was most probably made in France or Germany. Sold together with a scan of a period photograph depicting a child in a similar, slightly simpler machine, with no hand brake or button upholstery.