Custom pedal cars sell for over $17,000 in US
Each one was built by a US custom restoration or hot rod shop, with each producing a different take on the classic '32 Ford hot rod style. The top seller amongst the three was the example built in salt flat racer-style by Troy Trepanier from Rad Rides by Troy.
The salt flat look had particular relevance for Trepanier, who has enjoyed many successes on Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats, with the pedal car built in the same style and appearance of a full-size racer under construction in Trepanier's Illinois workshop.
The Rad Rides by Troy car featured unique suspension components to get it closer to the ground, a roll cage and Moon-style sold disc wheels. Against a pre-auction estimate of US$8,000 - US$12,000, the Trepanier pedal car sold for US$9,200.
Second-best seller was the "Respect Tradition" roadster, built by Hollywood Hot Rods (HHR) in the style of Troy Ladd's full-size '32 hot rod of the same name, which was also built by HHR.
With its mini Hemi engine, authentic Duvall-style split V windscreen, whitewall-style wheels and I-beam axle, the Respect Tradition pedal car was a stunner. The lucky buyer's child would pedal in style, too, with a full-leather interior and powder-coating on the hand-built steel body. This one sold for US$5,750.
The final pedal car of the auctioned trio was built by Steve's Auto Restoration in Oregon. Like the HHR car, Steve's '32 pedal rod featured a leather interior, whitewall-style wheels and distinctive red exterior.
A clever touch on this one was the leather sliding roof, while the mini Woodlite headlamps, chrome hubcaps and stainless steel grille were other standouts. Fixed "window" pillars distinguished this pedal car from the others, while the interior featured a detailed, Art Deco-style steering wheel and instrument panel.
Complete with a rear-mounted spare wheel and striking forward rake, the Steve's Auto Restoration '32 pedal car sold for US$2,300.
At RM's Monterey auction, these mini hot rods were joined by some truly rare and stunning classic, race and performance cars - in full-size! The top seller was a 1968 Ford GT40, previously used in the filming of Steve McQueen's Le Mans movie, which sold for US$11 million. This was a new record for an American car sold at auction.
At the same auction, two Ferraris sold for more than US$8 million each, with other top sellers including a rare 1938 Horch 853A (US$5.17M), 1955 Aston Martin DB3S (US$3.65M) and a Bentley Speed 8 Prototype racer, which finished third at the 2001 Le Mans 24 Hour Race (US$2.53M).
For full details and further results from RM Auctions' 2012 Monterey auction, go to www.rmauctions.com.
Images: RM Auctions
