1958 Suzuki & Edwards Chevrolet Corvette with Inflatable Driver In Original Box
Awesome, strange, weird, terrific; take your pick! This tin litho friction drive auto is formally called "Inflatable Bear-Car Driver in Friction Sports Car". But the grille design and crossed racing flags on the hood are unmistakably the Chevrolet Corvette. Just as fantastic is the bear driver who literally "blows up". On top of all that it comes complete with its original box. The toy features the unusual combination of a tin litho auto with and inflatable blow-up bear driver. This little guy is all vinyl with the air stem sticking out of the back of his head. Everything on him inflates; head, hat, ears, torso and arms. He even makes that squeaky sound when squeezed! The torso connects to the car interior. Best of all he doesn't have a single leak! Only because of the age of the toy I wouldn't keep it inflated, but he definitely holds air. It also has its original white air plug which fits inside the air stem. The tin Corvette was lithoed red, yellow, and white. The interior is lithoed, but not embossed. However the front hood scoop and trunk are embossed. The car has all the markings of classic Chevrolet Corvette like the front grille, quarter panels, and double headlights. There's only one thing it's missing and that' s the name; Corvette or Chevrolet wasn't included on the toy or box. It's all tin litho with polished tin front bumper, wheel covers, and windshield frame. The chassis is single plate, embossed and lithoed black. It has its original celluloid windshield. The tires are solid black rubber. Oh, and the Suzuki & Edwards trademark along with "Made In Japan" were lithoed near the rear license plate. The box is just as weird as the toy. It features a full panel color illustration of the "Sports Car" with its round, white-headed bear driver behind the wheel. The Corvette markings are even more recognizable on the box. The front and rear aprons were printed with the toy name and a side view of the Car with waving driver. The manufacturer's trademark was also printed on the box cover. Size: 8½" long, stand nearly 9" tall with the bear inflated. Date Sold: Jan. 2010
Price Sold: $ 350
