Tricycle Fetish Blog

Q: Back in the early1950′s to 1957 I got a tricycle for Christmas .It was a black and white police tricycle with windshield bell and I think a siren The windshield was lettered with POLICE at the bottom section. I can’t recall who made the tricycle it was one of the larger tricycles back then If you could help me find a picture and or the maker of this tricycle I want one in almost any condition to restore for my grandson tanks for any help you might give me.

A: Garton produced one that seems to fit that description in the early 1950′s. Visit our Garton manufacturer’s page for some more info and pictures. The problem that you’re likely to encounter is finding one that is intact with all of the accessories. They were basically a standard Garton tricycle with a siren and windshield and then some stars applied on a police blue paint scheme.

They have showed up on eBay occasionally intact and complete and windshields for them also show up occasionally. You can also always get a similar Garton tricycle and add a siren and windshield as well as the proper paint colors when restoring it. Would not be completely accurate, but it would look good and be fine for a child to ride.

Q: Looking to see if you can identify this unique tricycle/bicycle. Looks original, was told it is original. Sticker/plate on head tube is missing, no markings whatsoever. Your help to I’D make/year/value is appreciated in advance.

A: This is really a bicycle, but it was made by a company that did also make tricycle and didn’t really specialize in bicycles. It was made by Garton, probably circa 1950′s. I’m unsure of the exact age or if it had a model name. I’m sure bicycle collectors would be more up on this than us. Also you might try a site specializing in Garton pedal cars for more specific info.

Originally the basket would have been pretty much on top of the rear wheel and the front wheel had a fender than matched the “tank” and had graphics with spurs on them.

Q: Thank you.  I recently acquired the tricycle you see in the pictures.  I can find no marks to identify it.  I also can’t find any similar tricycle on your site or on other sites.  It is 15″ high and 22″ long.   I would appreciate any information you can share.

A: Your tricycle is a streamline Garton tot trike from circa 1937-40 era. Garton made this design for a number of years. The 1930′s tricycles seem to have the batwing type handlebars, which were later switched to a metal bar type handlebar with wooden grips. You can find other pictures of similar tricycles on our Garton manufacturers page.

Q: I purchased this tricycle at a farm auction in 2009 and have been unable to determine the manufacturer. Also, I want to know if it is possible to but new “tires” for the trike as I would like to give it to my new grandson.

A: Your tricycle is a late 1930′s Garton.  You can learn a bit about Garton and see some more Garton photos on our Garton manufacturers page.  As far as new tires go, you can check out our article on retiring your tricycle for methods of replacing the tires.  If you need a source for rubber, you might try Speedway Motors pedal car parts.  They sometimes have the rubber in the correct size.  Also it can be sourced from other places, as the same basic type of rubber is still used by buggy makers.

Q: I was wondering if you could help ID a tricycle I picked up with a lot of older beach cruisers?

A: Your tricycle looks to be a 1940′s era Garton tricycle.  You can view more information about Garton and see other similar Garton tricycles on our Garton manufacturers page.

The latest tricycle restoration to be submitted to TricycleFetish.com is the cool early 1950′s Garton Delivery Cycle pictured at the left.  Normally we’d say something about the restoration, but the restoration was done by the author of the Racycle Blog and he has a nice detailed write up with lots of pictures of the process.

Q: What can you tell me about this tricycle?

A: You look to have an early 1930′s Garton trike.  You can see more info on that company and Garton trikes on the Garton Manufacturers page.