can someone date my Marx cars?

I'll let the Marx experts do the dates. I like those. Just think of the joy some child had making all those scratches! sure beats sitting in boxes in the closet.

Roughly 1937-52 on the cars. You would be amazed at how well some elbow grease and polish would clean them up.

Steve

I'm looking forward to cleaning them up, but leaving them in their "play clothes". If I get the engine running, it will be bonus.

I'll bet you get it running, Marx locos are bullet proof!

 Steve I have some 3/16 cars that need cleaned, anything special to use? I have some auto polishing compound, would this be OK, any special care?

 thanks

A shot of the headlight may be of use, ifsomeone is capable of dating it more precisely.

  I own two versions, each with a different headlight (electrically too, #1 had a horizontal, screw in, side dimpled, smoke bulb). My #1 has a "lip" or "visor" made from thick metal and welded above the headlight opening, it has copper nameplates, stainless(?) boiler handrails, chrome plated stack/domes/rods, but a black painted boiler front with no copper plating(except the front "cigar band" nameplate) . The second has a tabbed headlight bezel (chr.plated, domes too, plain steel rails) extends forward about 3/8" from the light recess, and black and white nameplates (also black boiler front). The rods on #2 are plated, but it is a dull silver when compared to the chrome of C.V.#1. Im repainting #2 due to a 30% loss of paint up front. The Evaporust bath worked wonders on the metal, but it cant bring back paint that isn't there. Since I have another C.V., I am still trying to decide about whether Im turning #2 into the Crusader, or the Chippewa.

Cool cars!

I had the Commodore driving around the track today, after almost 1/2 a can of Zep Elect II electrical cleaner. Now to add a touch of oil...

Steve "Papa" Eastman,

I was glad when Meguiar's released their rendition of a wonderful product. I used Mother's brand (Cleaner Wax) for years. Until it became almost impossible to find in northern CA.