1952 Technofix No.266 Twin Car Elevator in Original Box #3
Technofix manufactured some of the most clever and mesmerizing German post-war clockwork toys. This No.266 Twin Car Elevator is no different. It's unusual design alternates the movement of two vehicles independently, yet on the same track. Each continues moving smoothly without colliding until the clockwork motor runs down. The toy, which I've never seen before, is in excellent+ to near mint condition and is complete with its original box and original instruction sheet. It consists of enclosed diorama with a wide cityscape in the background. The toy represents the interior of the large circular futuristic glass parking garage seen in the center of the city. For added realism the floor of the "box" was lithoed with additional parked vehicles. To start, each vehicle is placed on the right corner of both the lower and upper highways. Once wound the stop/start lever is released. With crank-like action the upper highway begins to raise and lower. As this happens the upper car slides down the ramp landing onto the lower ramp and travels forward. Simultaneously as the upper ramp lowers it scoops up the second vehicle and raises it up. This allows the first vehicle to slide down into the position which was just occupied by the second. The crank again lowers the upper highway releasing the second vehicle and the cycle repeats...and repeats....and repeats. It works flawlessly. It's fantastic and hypnotic to watch! Like most German made toy boxes it's almost all illustration with very little text. The front panel shows several cars entering and exiting the elevated parking garage. The city in the background gives it the illusion of height, while the "speed lines" trailing along side each car provide the movement. The side panels show the main highway and the entrance ramp to the garage. To the left are several vehicles parked at different levels. Manufacturer trademark and catalog numbers were printed on the side panels. The underside still has its original 88¢ price sticker from Schuster's, Milwaukee, WI. The instructions were printed bilingually in German and English. Size: 17" long x 3" tall x 1½" wide. Vehicles 1-7/8". Sold: Aug. 2006
Price Sold: $ 310
