A Hoge Fire Chief Car

July 4, 2012
American Independence Day

A Hoge Fire Chief Car

     Today's instalment is about a Hoge Fire Chief Car. The car was repainted in the colour theme that you see. However, originally,it was all red with some black. Tghe car is pressed steel, and is very well made and heavy.

Dimensions:

14 3/8" (L) x 5 1/4" (W) x 5 1/4" (H)

365 mm x 135 mm x 135 mm

Weight:

3 pounds 6.1 ounces

1.535 kg.

   I thought that  I'd include a photo of a Girard Pierce-Arrow Pressed Steel car for comparison. Both have similar features, and were made about the same time (circa 1930's)

The Girard Pierce-Arrow

 This car is the Hoge.

It has the following features that are common with the Pierce-Arrow by Girard

 1. A wind-up mechanism

2. A brake to hold the tension as you wind up the spring with the key

3. Lights operated by 2 size D batteries

4.  SOund - Inthis case a siren. The sound is created also by the wind-up mechanism.

 The small light bulbs are missing.

 TYou can see the name Hoge imprinted on the tire at the 12 o'clock position.

Many toy manufacturers liked to customize their tires with their brand name.

Wyandotte, Arcade, Girard, Kingsbury are just some of the names that come to mind with regard to branded rubber tires.

The spare tire certainly will be nice when the paint is removed.

It appears to be chrome-plated.

Notice also the brake lever located between the rear right fender and the car body.

 The Wind-up Mechanism with the Siren.

The siren is the round-shaped object with the 2 small holes.

 The Battery Compartment that Holds 2 Size D Batteries.

 A Closer View of the Hard Top

 Here'a a close-up view showing the wind-up key and the brake.

The brake is the yellow lever between the rear fender and the car body.

A Side View of the Car.

You can see the wire that is soldered to the front right  light holder.

A small lever inside the car compartment turns the power on for the lights.

I tried to turn on the lights, but I think either the wire contacts are separated from the lightbulb holder or the paint has blocked the contacts of the battery from providing electricity to the lights.

The rear light is also missing.

Structurally, this car is in great shape, and was built to last.

It's well made, and has heavy gauge pressed steel for the body.

Even the wind-up mechanism is intact, considering the toy is at least 80 years old!

So to all my American readers - Happy 4th of July,

and to everyone else, have a great morning afternoon, or evening, 

wherever you may be.