In 1964, the auto racing trading card industry stayed niche, with no major mainstream sets from companies like Topps or Fleer dedicated to NASCAR, Indy, or Formula 1 drivers.
In the US, the key issue was a small regional promotional set from Marhoefer Meats (about 20 unnumbered cards), featuring Indianapolis 500 drivers and personalities (e.g., Chuck Hulse, Eddie Sachs), distributed with meat products—focusing on Indy rather than broader racing.
In the UK, promotional trade cards were more common but not exclusively racing-focused; examples included motoring history sets with some high-performance or racing vehicles, often given away with products like ice cream.
Globally, dedicated racing cards were rare or absent; interest showed up via magazine inserts, stickers, or general auto-themed promotions instead of structured driver sets.
Overall, 1964 highlighted the era’s transitional phase—regional tie-ins and general automotive themes dominated over star-driver collectibles, ahead of the motorsport card boom in later years.
Coop (FR) “L’Auto A Travers Les Ages”
1964 Coop (FR) “L’Auto A Travers Les Ages”
Lyons Maid (UK) “100 Years of Motoring”
1964 Lyons Maid (UK) “100 Years of Motoring”