We have a soft spot for toys that take a child’s curiosity seriously, and this engine repair set does just that. It is the front half of a car, built at a child’s scale, with a hood that lifts to reveal an engine waiting to be explored.
Fifty-eight pieces, from a removable cowling to spark plugs and wing nuts, let aspiring mechanics work through 15 different jobs. They can replace brake drums, change a headlight, and check the “oil level” with a real dipstick, using a screwdriver, wrench and other tools sized for small hands. When the work is done, a turn of the ignition key rewards them with the sound of the engine starting up.
The horn and headlights work, too, and a built-in ramp and storage area give toy cars a place to park. The set runs on eight AAA batteries and is recommended for ages 3 and up. It is available only from Hammacher Schlemmer.
For the child who always wants to know how things work, it is a fine first garage.
