GEM super racer 1950

In the late fifties , the french toymaker GEM , based in Marseille,

south of France, introduced a gorgeous and impressiv super racer toy

car, a tinplate toy inspired by famous Troy Ruttman Indianapolis 500

winning race car..

18 inches long, the GEM 42 comes out after the japanese Yonesawa

champion race 98 (circa 1950).

The french firm GEM was founded by George Ernest Merli. Two variations were included in his toy range for kids late 1950. A tin car without any mechanism and one fitted (shown here) including a strong friction motor. The steering wheel has three branches. Two combined

colors have been manufactured in the period, a white/red one and a

white/blue one. The body and the chassis of the racer are made with

two tin shells and the pilot is also part of the body of the auto.

His helmet and arms are both made of plastic.

The quality of the workmanship of GEM in this period can bee seen

through the gorgeous lithography of the tin plate. Look the flames in

front of the car and behind the pilot. The race seems to be on fire!

See also the period advertising brands like Solex, Kleber colombes

tires, Shell or British Petroleum, Montlery race cars ring near Paris

and a curious unknown red bird!

The GEM factory had been taken over by France Jouets in 1959.

The range of racers cars was made again but the toy cars were

electrified and the front wheels were fitted with shock absorbers.

The decoration of the tin plate has been also a bit modified after

1960

 Story by Pasky, thanks to HDV auction house in Nîmes south of France and Olivier Vergne, the expert for the nice photographs used here. Email the author at paskytoy@orange.fr