The Maytag Toy Racer was a series of small one-passenger automobiles built by the Maytag Company between October 11, 1934 and December 1, 1941 for promotional purposes.
The toy racer was powered by Maytag Model 92 one-cylinder or, later, two-cylinder air-cooled Multi-Motor engines.[1] Previously in 1932 the Winston Corporation of Joliet, Illinois made a toy racer powered by the Maytag Multi-Motor.
Many of the toy racers were sold to Maytag dealers who raced in small groups to advertise their brand. These Winston racers were sometimes also called Maytag Toy Racers[2][3][4]
Early versions of the Maytag Toy Racer used a Model 92 Maytag Multi-motor for power and a cone clutch for power transmission. Later models used a double-purpose hand lever to adjust drive-belt friction and to apply braking action. Maytag Toy racers manufactured beginning in October 1937 used the Model 72, twin cylinder, Maytag Multi-motor.[5]
Records show that 498 Maytag Toy Racers were built, and approximately 25 survivors have been located to date.
References
^"Maytag Toy Racers boost Dealers' Sales. Small Autos Prove Good 'Stimulators'. Boys and Girls Prove Ardent Canvassers When Automobiles are Offered as Premiums for Work," Maytag News, 8 (10)(November 1934): 2-3.
^"Winston Racers use Multi-Motors for Power," Maytag News, 6 (4)(May 1932): 10-11.
^Bill McBride, "The Race is on--in Division 1200," Maytag News, 6 (12)(January 1933): 2.
^"New Twin-Cylinder Multi-Motor Offers Dealers and Salesmen a New Opportunity to contact Every Home Without Electricity in a Season of Farm Prosperity," Maytag News, 11 (9)(October 1937): 1, 5.
