How to Build a Soap Box Racer: Blueprints, Construction Details, Helps and Hints

Bobby Ballard

Published by Whitman Publishing Co., 1938

About this Item

Collectible first edition, first printing of 1937 All-American Soap Box Derby and International champion Bobby Ballard's How to Build a Soap Box Racer: Blueprints, Construction Details, Helps and Hints. Published near the dawn of the soap box derby era, Ballard's how-to includes detailed instructions for building the Ballard car, blueprints and numerous photos of the then 12-year-old Ballard. Also includes an 11" x 8 1/2" sheet of additional instructions (presumably issued with the booklet) and a 1938 red, white and blue 8" x 5 1/2" Soap Box Derby entrant badge - Class A - with a Chevrolet logo along bottom edge. Topics include Tools and Materials, The Frame of the Car, The Axles, The Sections of the Body, The Brake, Assembling and Placing the Sections, Steering Gear and Covering the Body of the Car. Ballard was later a long-time inventor - among his accomplishments were the automobile rain switch and heated seat - he recently passed away at the age of 96. Scarce. 48 unnumbered pages. 9 1/2" x 7 3/4". Tight, unmarked copy with tiny corner crease to front panel and light age toning to internals. Photographs of or additional information about this item are available on request. All inquiries answered promptly.

Seller Inventory # 376706

Bibliographic Details

• Title: How to Build a Soap Box Racer: Blueprints, Construction Details, Helps and Hints
• Publisher: Whitman Publishing Co.
• Publication Date: 1938
• Binding: Softcover
• Condition: Good