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.
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38 comments:

  1. HJanuary 15, 2012 at 6:52 PM

    Absolutely amazing find and you have certainly done it justice.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MadelineJanuary 15, 2012 at 8:13 PM

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

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  3. Bluebird DaydreamsJanuary 18, 2012 at 7:27 PM

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

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  4. patriciaApril 19, 2012 at 9:28 PM

    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

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  5. FranMay 20, 2012 at 10:07 AM

    How do you get replacement tires?

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  6. AnonymousMay 26, 2012 at 5:55 PM

    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

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  7. ConnieJuly 4, 2012 at 9:19 PM

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

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  8. BeckyKayJuly 5, 2012 at 9:25 AM

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

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  9. teresaAugust 26, 2012 at 5:05 PM

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

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  10. candyApril 23, 2013 at 5:28 PM

    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

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  11. AnonymousMay 4, 2013 at 8:52 PM

    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

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  12. AnonymousNovember 26, 2013 at 9:51 PM

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

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  13. AnonymousJuly 23, 2014 at 10:58 PM

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

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  14. UnknownOctober 12, 2014 at 10:12 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  15. AdamJNovember 4, 2014 at 3:27 AM

    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

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  16. AnonymousNovember 28, 2014 at 7:07 PM

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

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  17. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2015 at 7:56 PM

    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.

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  18. jennaApril 12, 2015 at 8:54 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousJune 6, 2015 at 1:14 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousJune 12, 2015 at 9:53 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2016 at 2:23 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousApril 22, 2016 at 11:10 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousApril 24, 2016 at 11:41 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousMay 23, 2016 at 9:27 AM

    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.

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  25. GartJune 18, 2016 at 3:26 PM

    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.

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  26. UnknownNovember 7, 2016 at 3:41 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  27. UnknownNovember 7, 2016 at 3:43 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  28. UnknownFebruary 16, 2017 at 12:34 AM

    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.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownFebruary 16, 2017 at 12:42 AM

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

      Delete
  29. AdamJFebruary 22, 2017 at 7:43 PM

    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

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    Replies
    1. UnknownJanuary 25, 2021 at 6:52 AM

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

      Delete
  30. RedNovember 17, 2018 at 4:22 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousAugust 7, 2019 at 12:10 PM

    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

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  32. Plowgirl1September 3, 2019 at 1:51 PM

    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

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  33. patriciaSeptember 3, 2019 at 10:33 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  34. UnknownMay 26, 2021 at 1:38 PM

    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 :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2023 at 5:41 PM

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

    ReplyDelete