The people at Marx Toys knew they had a hit on their hands when they came out with the Big Wheel in 1969, so they scaled it down a bit for the younger kids.
Before you knew it, the Little Wheel was on the market. The Big Wheel was 38" long and the Little Wheel was 30" long and 19" high.
The Little Wheel was on sale for $7.97 when this ad ran in the Erie Morning News on November 15, 1972, just in time for children to add it to their Christmas wish list.
Millers Discount Department Stores were located in the Eastway Plaza and at 2330 West 26th Street (near Pittsburgh Avenue) in Erie, PA. James Pettinato was the manager at the West 26th Street store in 1972.
Marx Toys were made by the Louis Marx Company. They had a plant at 1816 Raspberry Street in Erie.
Enjoy more Erie, PA facts and photos at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com
Remember the first time you saw one of your friends screaming down the sidewalk on a Big Wheel? Most kids back then didn't know that Marx manufactured Big Wheels in Erie, PA, unless one of their relatives worked at the plant.
The Big Wheel was billed as the world's first three-wheeled speed cycle. The ad to the left ran in the Erie Morning News on November 3, 1969, just in time for children to add the toy to their Christmas wish lists. The Big Wheel was on sale at Grant City at 12th and Pittsburgh Avenue for only $8.88. Good luck finding one for that price today.
The Big Wheel was "Low-slung for no-tip stability, modified longhorn handlebar for quick, positive turns, on-off engine sound, rear wheel racing slicks for action turns, 38" long; for ages 3 to 10."
I only knew a couple of kids that had Big Wheels, and from what I remember, the front wheel quickly developed a flat spot from jamming on the pedal brake or doing the Tokyo Drift.
Marx Toys were made by Louis Marx Company. They had a plant at 1816 Raspberry Street in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Enjoy more Erie, PA facts and photos at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com
