Model or demo Gearbox - anyone recognize this?

[AR1911]

I found this at an estate sale today. It was one of those sales where you think "This guy must have been a real interesting character".
So I brought this home and cleaned it up.

It has 2 speeds forward plus reverse.
The differential works correctly.
It has a connector on the driveshaft that is obviously a connection for a shifter, so I think this must be part of a larger model.
The driveshaft has a long flat that is probably for a sliding connection.
For scale, OAL is 7", the axle is 1/8" as is the input shaft.
Has anyone seen this before and can tell me what it came from?

 

[Debcrow]

Not Ford Chevy or Dodge
are the gears plastic?

 

[RTM]

I would not be surprised to find out that was a demonstration model for a HS auto shop, explains transmission and differential in a single model. Could not find it quickly in looking through google books for a school supply catalog, thinking ~1960s, based on the metal and plastic combo, but again, another guess.

Lots and lots of snippet views.

 

[AR1911]

Definitely not Ford or Chevy

When I first picked it up I also thought "demo for teaching". It's obviously not made to be run under real power.

The frame is aluminum casting. Everything else is steel.

Both axles have marks indicating wheels have been attached.
That device on the input shaft is a yoke. You can't see it from the angle the photo was taken.

 

[crguy]

That's out of a Structo Auto Builder series toy car.

 

[AR1911]

We have a winner!

Very interesting - Thanks!

 

[RTM]

That's out of a Structo Auto Builder series toy car.

Is that a wind up "engine" on that? Pic of the cockpit? Wow, 1923ish. Quite cool? Looks like its called a clockspring motor.

 

[crguy]

Is that a wind up "engine" on that? Pic of the cockpit? Wow, 1923ish. Quite cool? Looks like its called a clockspring motor.

Yes, it winds with a crank you stick in the front. These were put together by the purchaser like an Erector set. Notice the nuts & bolts.