Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Car, Racing |
Catalog Number |
2003.58.13 |
Maker |
Luthy, James; Luthy, Lisa |
Date |
1975 |
Material(s) |
Fiberglass/Wood/Steel/Foam rubber/Rubber |
Dimensions |
H-21.25 W-35 D-72 inches |
Description |
This is a soap box derby race car named the "Purple Butterfly". It has a streamlined purple enameled fiberglass body designed for the driver to lay down feet first. The flat axle covers extend out at front and back. It has red enameled steel wheels with narrow black rubber tires. There is a metallic silver sticker with butterfly on top of the nose. It has a hinged cockpit cover with black foam rubber lining and magnets at the sides of the cover hold it closed. There is a wooden frame on bottom interior of car body. There is a brake column with pads between rear wheels. There is a triangular steering handle in front of cockpit connected by steel wires fed into steel tubes to the front axle. |
Notes |
At age 15, Lisa Luthy of Campbell County became the first young woman in Kentucky to win a regional championship in the Soap Box Derby, from the Northern Kentucky-Greater Cincinnati region. In August 1975, Luthy competed in the national competition in Akron, OH, winning her first heat but losing in the second round. Luthy began racing in the derby in 1972 in cars built by her father, James Luthy. Luthy's car failed its initial inspection for the Akron event and had to have her cockpit cover replaced. The Soap Box Derby, a race for gravity powered cars, began in 1934. |
Collection |
James Luthy Collection |
People |
Luthy, James Luthy, Lisa |
Subjects |
Sports Sports equipment Athletes Car racing Soap box derby racers Racing |
Search Terms |
Female Athletes Campbell County (Ky.) Kentucky Cincinnati (Ohio) Ohio |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |