I have a couple V8 60 motors to sell and a guy calls me up wanting to buy them for his newly acquired Midget that we know nothing about. Just going by the pic's what would have been the probable motor, trans, etc. for this little puddle jumper? Looks as though the throttle shaft came out the right side cowl. Whats the rear? If the V8 60 is not rite what was? Thanks!
I think it would rather be called "Little Motor, Trans, Rear, etc." As It probably is offended being called "Midget"
it's hard to tell from the pics you posted. it has an anglia front end in it. ford banjo rear with spring behind the axle, most midgets used model A axles. is this a conversion or is it running a later rear?? probably cut down chevy frame rails?? it's odd that the throttle would be connected outside the cowl. pretty dangerous setup. don't forget the early ford banger engine if it's a pre war midget.
The V8 60 would be right for that car as would a Crosley 4 banger. An Offy would have been put in a custom ch***is even in that time period and wouldn't be appropriate in that ch***is. Bangers work in those too. The throttle linkage was probably done that way to make it work with what they were running at the time or because of a clearance issue but there is little reason to keep it that way as long as the replacement setup looks correct for the era of the car.
Well its not like he said they were ugly and there momma dressed them funny. I think that the engine of choice may be determined by the era of the car. Up into the '60s they were still using V-8 60s but they were also using any number of bangers as well.
I think it's a full midget, albeit a small/light one. I don't think the tq would have that rear end but I could be way off. my tq knowledge is extremely limited.
There is not a good pic of what looks like a #2 crossmember near front of engine space...show that and anything else attached to frame up there. Mounts would be a big clue.
I agree bruce, need better pics of the engine mount area. seems like the pictures taken were specifically to make it a challenge lol
Does the head rest on the tail look like it was added after the car was built. Look for different paint color under it, it looks like a mid to late 1930's built car. There were thousands of them built, not everyone had a photo or a great history, but it deserves to be restored. There were all types of odd Four Bangers used in the early cars, Crosley motors were a popular Post WWII TQ power plant. It most likely ran an in out box or Model A Ford transmission. Looks like both front and rear axles are Model A. More photos would be nice to see. Bob
Please take some shots of the wheels, the early ones were made from 1926-27 Model T Ford brake drums welded to 12 inch rims you could buy from Sears. Bob
I have seen a midget about that size with a four cylinder Indian motorcycle engine. Quite a few early cars used larger motorcycle engines, H-D, Indian, Henderson, etc. Also used converted outboard engines!! Crosleys, of course, very popular also. Different cars and engines to suit the many tracks and racing ***ociations back in the 30's to 60's.
Look at those front radius rods, NOT Ford items, they look like they were custom made. That car looks like it was well built, details like this will help ID it if you plan to trace its history. What do you know about so far? Bob
Bob The use of drag link ends instead of tie rod ends is interesting isn't it. The cross member suggests that it used an engine with a center mount. I know that olds would be too large so what else used a center mount?
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