NOTE: This archive is not affiliated with the All-American Soap Box Derby (AASBD) organization. For information about the AASBD please go to their web site at https://www.soapboxderby.org/ Soap Box Derby races involve gravity-powered vehicles driven by girls and boys in various age classes. The first Soap Box Derby race was held in Dayton, Ohio in 1933. In 1934 local races were held across the country, after which local champions raced in Akron for the national title. Despite wars and sponsorship changes the Derby continues to provide a wonderful experience for race participants. Many describe the experience as life-changing. Originally Derby cars were strictly required to be built by the individual participant; help from adults and others was absolutely forbidden and grounds for disqualification. Sadly, after a few cheating scandals this requirement had to be revised but the excitement of racing is still there. The photos in this archive are all from the era of participant-built cars. Every one of these cars has its own special charisma and represents many hours of painstaking work and learning experiences. At its peak the Derby was known as "The greatest amateur racing event in the world." In fact, Derby racers have gone on to compete in the Indianapolis 500 , NASCAR, SCCA, and many other racing endeavors. As we enter the 2020's many of the original Derby participants would be approaching 100 years of age or more. This archive includes never-before shared family photos of the 1936 Waterbury, CT. race. This archive only covers the years that two generations of one particular family participated in the Derby (1936 and 1960's), with a few more years where we happened to collect newspaper clippings or other information. We met many participants and families who became friends and we hope that some of the photos and information here will be a happy discovery.