Sunday, January 15, 2012

Gym-Dandy Surrey - Recommended by Art Linkletter

Roger found this Gym-Dandy Surrey on Craigslist last fall and couldn't resist it. It was made in the 1960s by the Gym-Dandy company, who also made jungle gyms! This particular surrey was owned by the same woman since it was new and was played with by her children, too. Unfortunately, the family were the victims of a house fire. The surrey suffered some fire damage, and they decided to sell it.



The entire things was taken apart and repainted. Roger replaced the tires, pedals and handgrips, then put it all back together. He cleaned and repainted the seats, as well. He was even able to find a source for the original style graphics!

 Sally and Connor took it for a test drive through our living room! Not super easy to pedal (I tried it myself), but Connor did a great job!
 Sally, on the other hand, is going to need longer legs before she's ready to be the driver!


We're still working out the logistics of the canopy, but we certainly have the perfect fabric.

Don't you wish everything were?


Head over to Her Library Adventures for more great vintage finds!

We get questions all the time from others asking about restoring their own Gym Dandy Surreys! Roger uses Cowboys and Kidillacs as a major resource for his pedal car restorations. Here's a link to their Gym Dandy page.

38 comments:

H said...

Absolutely amazing find and you have certainly done it justice.

Madeline said...

This is so cool! I love it and the stripy canopy is perfect.

Bluebird Daydreams said...

Oh that is the sweetest makeover ever. Love it.
D
x

patricia said...

I have the exact same surrey from the 1950s. My daughter and I just dis-assembled it today. It is all original and missing only the top canopy ( it has the metal frame and the metal cross-bar). It is also missing the top half of the steering column and the handle bars. It will need to be stripped and repainted. If anyone is interested, please E-mail me at pswiatlows@aol.com.
We were going to sell it piece by piece but would prefer if it stayed together since it has sentimental value.
Thank you,
Patricia

Fran said...

How do you get replacement tires?

Anonymous said...

Hello again!
I am finally going to list my dis-assembled Gym Dandy Surrey on Ebay the first week of June for 10 days. I am listing it with a starting price of $400. I based my price on the fact that I have been offered $200 for the front wheels alone and there seems to be a market for the canopy frame as well. I guess we will see if any one bites on the listing. If I cannot sell it all together I will be selling the parts and scrapping the rest :o(
If anyone wants to be updated on how it goes, let me know!
Thank you everyone,
Patricia

Connie said...

Where did you find the decals? I have hunted them for years.

BeckyKay said...

Try this site, Connie! http://www.cowboysandkidillacs.com/gym_dandy.html

teresa said...

that is an AMAZING transformation - yes, your husband is a magician/wizard!
- teresa

candy said...

Would love to know your resources for the wheels, decals, and fabric for canopy. I have the exact surrey that was mine growing up, and now my great nieces and nephews are enjoying it. Wouldn't dream of selling it, but would love to replace the wheels, and canopy, and maybe the decals if I repaint again. Thanks, and would appreciate the info. Candy

Anonymous said...

Hey what is the thing called that is where you step into the cart. It is red and says Gym Dandy Surrey. Looking for one and don't know what it is called?!? Thanks

Unknown said...

Looking for the chain sprocket cover like the posting above and the pedals. Anyone have a source. Cowboys doesn't have either one.

Anonymous said...

Anyone know where I can find the red and white canvas for the canopy?

Unknown said...

I have A JIM DANDY in "PERFECT" condition .I HAVE had several offer and have owned it since i was 10 years old,i am 68 now. Call me if interested. 757-707-7956 bobbyvwyn@yahoo.com

AdamJ said...

I too have a Surrey. I'm looking to sell it as I really have too many projects at the moment and it just hangs on the wall at my storage. No canopy, I have a complete set of wheels but rubber is bad on 1 or 2 and hub is bad on one. no seat or anything. Would sell for $150. Local pickup in WI

Anonymous said...

I had one of these growing up! Would love to get one for my grandchildren!

Anonymous said...

Hello, I was wondering what kind of material was used on the canopy of the item as I have just purchased one. If you can email me (info@mondotradingcompany.com) that would be greatly appreciated.

jenna said...

Hi, I am in the process of restoring my moms surrey for her grandkids. Could you please let me know where you were able to find the wheels? Could you email me at verge@ollsmc.com

Anonymous said...

Hello,
I am getting ready to restore a Gym Dandy and need the front wheels, chain guard and decals. Where can I get them? Thank you, Jim. email: sanjim76@live.com

Anonymous said...

I need the hard rubber tires and decal for my serray any information would be appreciated vdavis
35@woh.rr.com

Anonymous said...

I need the two rear wheels, especially the one with the sprocket.
Any sources out there?
tjohnson1036@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I have one just like it. I got the surrey for Christmas when I was 5, 55 years ago. I have restored it for my grand kids and they love it. I made a few improvements to it I added pneumatic tires so it is much easier to ride.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous on 4/22/2016...
where did you find pnuematic tires and were they hard to install? I had one,my dad restored for my kids, and now I am restoring for my grandkids. Wish my dad were here to help me.
And I sewed the new canopy myself. I did have the original to use as a pattern, and it looks like I might need to replace this one too. Most fabric stores have the red and white striped material
kaschwarz@att.net

Anonymous said...

Do u still have

Anonymous said...

I did a little research on these... since I recently purchased one. A lot are restored, repainted, etc. If you have the original, and its in original condition, they are selling for over $600.

Gart said...

Does anyone know where I can get replacement pedals for the surrey? We finally have a grandchild and want to spiff it up but the pedals are gone.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I too have my original Jim Dandy Surrey from the early 1960s given to me by Santa! It is still working and has almost all the parts, needs some TLC and has some rust but it has been in storage for many many years. Sadly I now need to liquidate my storage unit if anyone is interested in buying it contact Carla at 760-845-5217 it would be best to pick up I would consider shipping at your cost I live in North San Diego County Coastal area. Asking $650.

Unknown said...

...or if interested i can go take photos also you can email me (Carla) cwallyall@yahoo.com

AdamJ said...

I have one I put some modern wheels on, I might still have some of the original wheels, no seat, etc. $100/offer Located in WI
email me sillyfresh@gmail.com for photos

Red said...

I have an original, it is very original. The Surry Top was worn and I found a original new Surry Top and it goes with My Surry for sale at $500.00 Just cleaning out one of my storage places and it could be your lucky find!
mcfadden@i2k.com Michigan can ship at new owners expense.

Anonymous said...

Hi I have just bought one of these at auction here in the UK and I need to replace the front wheel as spokes are broken and I am missing canopy and support poles (this is less of a problem than the wheel). Does anybody know where I can purchase spares online from the states?

Any tks

Plowgirl1 said...

I see you repainted yours Red & Yellow. Do you know if they actual where those colors. Because mine has the original paint. Its faded but it appears to be a burnt orange with more of a mustard yellow trim! Any clue? Thanks Ann

patricia said...

I have only seen red and yellow Gym-Dandy surreys. If you do a google search for Gym-dandy surrey or art linkletter surrey you will see many photos.

Unknown said...

I need the sprocket rear wheel. Do you still have that? Geo. Rvcgeo@aol.com

Unknown said...

I have my buddy buggy I had since I was 5. I have restored it for my grandkids but cannot find the bushing or whatever that connects the handle bars to the main part...lost it when I took apart to paint etc. I've searched high and low for this piece and cannot find. I also could use the "pin" for the front wheel. Anybody know of where I can look or have one?

Thanks, Anita
Contact me at 405-306-7420 text preferred :)

Anonymous said...

I have Surry Jim Dandy for sale, canopy very good condition. $900.00