Mustang Pedal Car Article

 It wasn't long after Henry Ford began mass-producing Model T's at the turn of the century that kids took to sidewalks in miniature pedal cars. The steel covered toys remained high on children's wish-lists until the 70's when the company stopped producing them. Just as the 1965 Mustang was a runaway hit, so was its counterpart pedal car, selling over 93,000 units by Christmas of its first year in production. Four decades later, the pedal-car with the Mustang logo is back and demand extends beyond kids, to their parents and grand-parents as well, some of whom may have owned an original.

"That Mustang became one of the hottest pedal cars of all time," said Mark Bentley, Ford licensing manager "At first they were simply toys, but now adults see them as collectables. It's a nostalgia thing."

Created as a promotion, Mustang Pedal Cars sold in Ford dealerships across the United States for a discount price of $12.95. But plastic gained ground over metal as a material for toys in ensuing years and the Mustang's initial pedal car manufacturer AMF-the same company that makes bowling equipment-sold the tooling to a Mexican company. In the early 80's that company closed, leaving the original equipment in a warehouse, where it remained untouched for nearly 20 years.

In 2004. An owner of a small company in California, started importing and producing pedal cars as collectables. Hearing about the original equipment, they flew to Mexico, bought it, and prepared to produce the original Mustang Pedal Car once again. Despite modifications for contemporary safety standards, it would be exactly the same with all-steel construction, adjustable rubber pedals, a clear windshield and authentic Mustang markings.

The biggest difference from the original pedal car is the price. While Ford dealerships sold them at a discount, in stores, they retailed for $25. But just as the cost of the Mustang has increased ten-fold over the last 40 years, so too has the price of the pedal car which now retails for around $250.

"The nice thing is that they're made out of steel, so when kids outgrow them their parents can save them for the grandkids."

Not only are a growing number of pedal cars being sold to car enthusiasts and their kids, there's also a growing market for hot rod shops. Hot rod designers are modifying them to look like miniature versions of their vehicles.

"People are just as nostalgic about pedal cars as they are the real thing because they bring back fond memories," he said. "Besides, they're easier to maintain, don't require oil changes, and they're decorative."
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Excerpts from the article by
Michael Collins | Ford Communications

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