This original vintage friction activated toy sedan” Fire Chief” Car by The Marx Toy Company, circa 1930, is a difficult toy to find, especially in this variation, which I have not seen before. It is earlier than most of the other examples, and is painted and lithographed in red with black lines and markings with a tanish brown roof. All paint is completely original except for the front black bumper which has been repainted (too many bumps). There are a few dents here and there from normal play and usage; passenger side has a thin horizontal 1′ slight dent; roof and bottom of trunk has slight creasing from pressed steel—-caused in manufacturing. All four wheels are original. Markings include in stenciled writing “Fire Chief” to the passenger side and the Marx logo “MAR” with “American Made” and “Patent Applied For” on the trunk door.
Operates fine (see operational short movie accompanying listing).
Instead of driving the car into the ground as kids would have done to get the car going, simply roll the wheels with your thumb with car in hand and place on the floor; watch it move across the floor.
Dimensions: 8″ long x 3 1/2″ wide x 3″ high
Note: Please see all of my other toy listings. Good opportunity to build a toy collection as I have many wonderful original toys for sale currently, and after forty years of dealing and collecting, be assured that I have accurately described the condition and integrity of each toy.