Barney Korn: Tether Car Craftsman

Korn honed his skills partly by working as a machinist for aviation innovator Howard Hughes, whose organization he joined in 1924. As tether cars became more popular, Korn formed B.B. Korn Specialty Manufacturing Company in 1939. The "Meteor" was Korn's first — and rarest — production model. Only 18 examples are believed to have been made.

The buyer could save more money by purchasing an unassembled "Indianapolis 29" kit instead of a fully assembled car. It was up to the buyer to finish the rough edges of the balsa wood body — and to purchase the engine separately.

Most tether car owners raced their models — either against the clock while tethered to a central pivot, or against each other on a scaled-down track. Large size and superb detail — qualities evident in Barney Korn's "Indianapolis" models — weren’t necessarily compatible with high speeds. This promotional model wasn’t meant for racing in any event — it lacks an engine and drivetrain.