Lionel Mechanical Handcars
All information and trains supplied by Russ MacNair unless otherwise noted
Lionel No. 1100 Mickey Mouse Handcar
Lionel No. 1103 Peter Rabbit Chick-Mobile
Lionel No. 1105 / 1106 Santa Car
Lionel No. 1107 Donald Duck Rail Car
Lionel No. 1105 / 1106 Santa Car
General Information
The Lionel No. 1105 Santa Claus Handcar (referred to by Lionel as the “Santa Car”) was introduced in 1935 and was cataloged through 1937. The Santa Claus Handcar features a Santa Claus figure with a Mickey Mouse figure riding in a sack on Santa’s back and a Christmas tree. The handcars are powered by a mechanical or clockwork motor operated by a wind-up key. The handcars are constructed with a stamped steel frame and motor housing painted red. The composition Santa Claus and Mickey Mouse figures and the Christmas tree are mounted on the frame. The motor is connected to the handcar handle with an eccentric rod that activated the two figures. The motor has a lever that serves as a brake when engaged. The handcar has an identifying decal on one side of the handcar body. The handcar measures 10 1/2-inches in overall length. The handcars were always offered for separate sale with a circle of “027” 2-Rail track.
Lionel offered two versions of the Santa Claus Handcar. One version has a Mickey Mouse figure in Santa’s sack as described above. This is the most common version of the handcar and was offered for sale throughout the United States. The second version of the Santa Claus Handcar was very similar, but did have the Mickey Mouse figure in Santa’s sack. This version of the handcar was offered exclusively for sale in Canada since Lionel did not have the rights from the Disney Company to sell Mickey Mouse outside the U.S. This version of the Santa Claus Handcar is very scarce and seldom seen. The second version of the Santa Claus Handcar was cataloged as No. 1106.
Lionel No. 1105 Santa Claus Handcars
1. No. 1105 Santa Claus Handcar with Mickey Mouse in Santa’s sack (1935-1937).
Lionel No. 1106 Santa Claus Handcars
1. No. 1106 Santa Claus Handcar without Mickey Mouse in Santa’s sack (1935-1937).
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Lionel No. 1105 Santa Claus Handcars
1. No. 1105 Santa Claus Handcar with Mickey Mouse in Santa’s sack (1935-1937).
Lionel No. 1106 Santa Claus Handcars
1. No. 1106 Santa Claus Handcar without Mickey Mouse in Santa’s sack (1935-1937).
PHOTOS NEEDED
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