Volunteer Craig Ellis curated the pedal car exhibition at the Heritage Centre.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
Head-turning vehicles will flood Shepparton over the coming fortnight, with two major automotive events taking place, and lovers of things on wheels are in for an extra surprise with another unique exhibition running at the same time.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The Shepparton Heritage Centre will host a pop-up pedal car exhibition over the next two weekends to coincide with the 20th GT Nationals at MOVE this weekend and next weekend’s Rotary Motor Show at the showgrounds.
Pedal-powered toys will be on display for a limited time only.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Visitors will be able to chuck the stick in reverse and rediscover the era of pedal cars in a nostalgic journey through their childhood playtimes.
Younger ones can peep into the past when they see the fabled miniature vehicles up close in real life for perhaps the first time.
Unlike the primary-coloured plastic trikes found in many family backyards today, these pedal cars feature intricate details, including chrome accents, functional lights and horns, upholstered seats, hood ornaments, adjustable windows and windshields, and custom paint finishes.
Shepparton Heritage Centre executive officer Kristy Rudd said the exhibition had been made possible by a private collector who had allowed the museum to share their treasured pieces with the public.
The extensive collection includes some of the most vintage.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“The exhibition celebrates the enduring appeal of pedal cars, featuring a stunning collection that spans decades of design and innovation,” she said.
“Whether reliving childhood memories or discovering these vintage treasures for the first time, visitors will be transported to an era when a simple pedal car represented the ultimate freedom and adventure.”
These children’s toys first appeared in the 1890s as the automobile industry was taking off.
They reached peak popularity around 1930 and by the 1950s and ’60s, chain-driven models dominated the market.
A Silver Streak and its biker bear rider.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Makers then introduced other pedal-powered vehicles, including rockets, aeroplanes, boats, motorcycles and trains.
The rise of plastic manufacturing led to the decline of traditional steel pedal cars by the 1970s.
While ride-on toys remained popular, they were mass-produced using cheap materials, void of the craftsmanship and aesthetic of real cars.
Pedal cars are still in some demand as toys, but are also highly sought after as collectibles throughout the world.
The pedal car exhibition will be held at the Shepparton Heritage Centre’s History Hub at 156 Welsford St, from March 14 to 16, and March 22 to 23.
It will be open from 10.30am to 4pm each day.
Entry costs $10 for adults, $5 for under 16s and $20 for families.
Children under five are free.
Cost includes entry to the exhibition and adjacent history museum.
