Car, Coaster
Object number2011.78.1 a,b
Made by
Jessie Clarke
Made by
Gerard J. Clarke
Date1982
MediumFiberglass, Rubber, Wood, Metal
Credit LineGift of Clarke Family
DescriptionWhite soap box derby car. White body, length-wise it is oval in shape while the cross section is more circular; body is made of wooden slats covered in fiberglass. Two axles of metal and wood. Wheels are plastic and rubber. Numerous decals on the body. Cables run from the front axles into the body. Interior of body houses steering mechanism and support structure; heavy steel plates in bottom protect steering cables. Curved canopy of wood covered in fiberglass that encloses the cockpit. Foam padding is glued to the underside.Dimensions18 x 13.5 x 84 x 40.5 in. (45.7 x 34.3 x 213.4 x 102.9 cm)InscriptionsNumerous decals on the body: "SCCA", "West Penn", "82", "Jessie".
Historical NotesSenior Division car from the Soap Box Derby. This car was handmade by father Gerard Clarke and daughter Jessie Clarke and used by Jessie in the Akron Championship. Gerard Clarke's two children both participated in the soap box derby in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His daughter, Jessie, started in 1979 at the age of eleven and participated for four years. She went to the Akron Championship representing Western Pennsylvania in the Senior Division in 1982. Girls were not allowed to participate in the derby until 1971. His son Jerry also participated, although not to the degree of Jessie, he also went to Akron in the Junior Division. Locally, the Clarke children would race down Cumberland Road in McCandless.
Previous owner
Gerard J. Clarke
Related person
Nancy Clarke
Related person
Jerry Clarke
Previous owner
Jessie Clarke
On View
Not on view
1966-2010
