Description: Ingo Grip Test, United Distributing, 1960, a small battery operated (4 D cells) strength tester. A nickel is put in the handle, and it falls down to the base of the game (where the coin box resides.) The patron squeezes the handle to move the lights up as far as possible, testing their grip. This coin operated grip and strength tester was promoted by Swedish world boxing champion (1959-1960) Ingemar Johansson. Hence the name of the game was "Ingo", which was Johansson's nickname. He affectionately named his right fist "Ingo's bingo", as he was an incredible puncher. Mike Munves sold a great number of the Ingo Grip Test in the U.S. and United Distributing in Canada, but the machine was made in Sweden ("Made In Sweden" is clearly marked on the botton of the tester.)

In the history of world heavyweight boxing, only five fighters titled were not U.S. citizens. Meaning in the U.S. at least, the name Ingo Johansson was not recognizable, like say Floyd Patterson (who Ingo defeated to become world champ.) You can see this in the second page of the Mike Munves flyer below where they removed "Ingo" and pasted it with "champ". "Champ Grip Test" I guess sounds better to a market that does not recognize "Ingo".

If you have an Ingo Grip Test for sale please contact me at cfh@provide.net