Wired Michelin Man – Vintage 1960s coil keyring – Rare
Wired Michelin Man – Vintage 1960s coil keyring – Rare
Rare Michelin keychain – Wire-art Bibendum / Spring Bibendum
An astonishing and uncommon interpretation of the famous Michelin Bibendum, made entirely from a metal wire coiled into a spring shape.
The silhouette is immediately recognizable: the body, composed of a succession of rings, directly evokes the stacked tires that gave birth to the famous Michelin Man.
This vintage promotional keychain, attributed to the 1960s, is now a particularly original piece for any collection dedicated to Michelin, Bibendum, or automotive advertising objects.
Bibendum: over 125 years of history
The story of the Michelin Man begins at the end of the 19th century. In 1894, Édouard Michelin noticed a stack of tires at an exhibition and imagined that by adding arms and legs, it could become a character.
The idea truly came to life in 1898, when the Michelin brothers collaborated with the artist Marius Rossillon, known as O’Galop, to create the one who would become Bibendum.
Over the course of the 20th century, his silhouette evolved, and Michelin adapted its ambassador to a multitude of media and promotional items. Bibendum became much more than a simple logo: a true figure in the history of automotive advertising. Michelin notes, moreover, that objects and figurines bearing his likeness were already being distributed to the public as early as the first decades of the 20th century.
A particularly original Bibendum
This model stands out radically from traditional plastic or rubber figurines.
Here, the spring constitutes the character itself: the metal coil forms the body and ingeniously recalls the stack of tires characteristic of Bibendum.
The keychain has its metal ring and is in a very fine general state of preservation.
Condition: Very good condition.
Complete wire structure.
Key ring present.
Beautiful general presentation.
Please look carefully at the photographs, which are an integral part of the description.
Specifications
Character: Bibendum / Michelin Man
Type: collectible promotional keychain
Model: wire-art / spring Bibendum
Period: attributed to the 1960s
Material: metal
Condition: very good condition
Price: €99
Ref: 2026-119
Shipping
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