Hot Rods Rodding a King Midget ???

Patrick, I didn't see any Midgies with s-x-point roll cages . .. BUT, your ocncept would seem to CALL for it! LOL

 

i bet if you drove one of those in Michigan the cops would stop you thinking you were some drunk trying to get away with driving a golf cart after getting yer licence jerked..
or worse yet..falling into the first pot hole never to be seen from again

 

Von Rigg Fink, NO DOUBT, DUDE!!! Hell, they looked like toys back when they were out!

Your "drunk driving a golf cart" comment reminds me of a Vince Gill song, "Give Me Just ONE MORE LAST CHANCE." LOL

 

Man, I tell you what, I'd go to town on a bike-engined Midget! A roll cage of some sort would be pretty much mandatory with a car like that, much like the little Legends roundy-rounders! In fact, that Yamaha engine in a KM would be the ****! Holy ****, you talk about a hang-on-for-your-life street car! The power-to-weight ratio would be pretty stout!

Gotta finish the wagon first!

 

Do a youtube search for king midget
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpfKPegj3nk

 

Patrick, you know, I hadn't given much THOUGHT TO WEIGHT of a Midgie!!! Heck, they COULDN'T have weighed much!

ANYBODY KNOW?

 

All I know is, when my brother and I managed to get the front in a bind, my dad could pick it up by the front bumper and slide it around. Yup, pretty light!

 

Brett4Christ, COOL story, brother. Yup, THAT's lite!!! Personal story: Back when these first showed up in our town, I wanted a go-cart so bad I could TASTE it. Now, here was a, a . . . sort-of gocar with a basic CAR body???

You might IMAGINE how a 12-year-old boy would lie awake dreaming of driving a King Midget! ESPECIALLY, SINCE YOUR FAMILY HAD ONE, RIGHT??!?!?!

 

when i was in high school (1980-84), there was a yellow series 3 put on a shortened vw ch***is that i would see nearly every day. i think i was the only kid in school who could identify it! a fellow student's father owned it and would pick up his daughter in it.

 

ZagZag, COOL! Since it was also sold as a KIT CAR, sure seems a K-Midge would be be pretty EASY to use in verious custom applications!!!

 

The 1946 King Midget was a single-seater, styled like a quarter
midget race car, with scooped door openings but no
doors or top.

 

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<!--startclickprintinclude-->Car club celebrates annual jamboree in Concord

<!-- featurephoto --> Photo by James Nix

Roxanne Hicklin, of Raleigh, drives a King Midget Model One along Mallard Creek Church Road on her way to visit the Earnhart Gan***i Race Shop in Concord Friday afternoon. Hicklin joined over 100 other King Midget enthusiasts for the International King Midget Car Club Jamboree over the weekend

 

How light are they? My buddy Dan and I lifted one up to move it into his shop (wheels were locked up)...it was pretty light for a street car, but a bit heavier than it looked...I'd love to throw an 850 Suzuki motorcycle motor in one...hell, even a V-Twin Briggs and Stratton would be a huge improvement over the stocker...imagine putting one of those motors from the lawn mower racing guys' tractors in a KM...

 

Anyone with sufficient brain trauma to enjoy this thread NEEDS this book:
http://www.lindsaybks.com/bks7/midrace/index.html

Ancient plans for a large range of small rods, from glorified lawnmowers to to something a lunatic would be willing to drive in traffic. Seriously neat stuff long predating carts and such.

I actually have an original backof-the-comic-book 1930's edition...Lindsay's differs only in that it is printed on paper that isn't turning into dust.

Do NOT go into the Lindsay site any further...they will **** out your brain and turn you into a ba*****t-dwelling crazyoldguy who has spent the last 40 years making a lathe from old bottlecaps so he can build a Tesla cosmic drive for his refrigerator...

 

HJManiac, that is TOO cool! I don't remember SEEING a '46 !!! SOOOOOOO diff. from later generations! AND, really made to look like a "race" car, too. It would be FUN to restore one, OR do a ground-up repro w. better running gear.

 

Ruiner! THAT's the rodding spirit! Guy LOOKS at just about anything & thinks, "HMMM!?!?!!!"

 

Bruce, LOL. Yes, SOME brain trauma, BUT we're just goin' off on a goofy tangent, bro. After ALL, the Crosleys & K-Ms, really, were about auto entrepreneurs taking product-development into extreme territory to SEE if they could MAKE SOME $$$.

American Bantam failed to make it work. Even New Jordan failed -- the "Little Custom" that caused his company to fold.

 

er, uh, I MEANT NED Jordan, of course! FAT FINGERS on the keyboard!

 

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1965 King Midget Series III A new King Midget was introduced in mid-1957. This "third-series" K-M was improved in many ways. The Styling was all-new. With squared fenders and hood, it bore a strong resemblance to a Jeep in miniature.
Wheelbase now measured 76 inches, while overall length increased to 117 inches, up more than a foot from the second-series cars. A rear mounted, air-cooled Wisconsin single cylinder engine was used again, now with 9 horsepower. Bumpers were larger, front and rear tread were both up two inches, to 44, and tire size was increased to 5.70 x 8. Bodies were now of semi-unit construction, with frame and-body components welded together for improved strength. Brakes were hydraulic to all four wheels. As in the past, the new K-M came with a six-volt electrical system. Weight increased, to about 700 pounds.
In about 1959 wooden doors were replace by aluminum. In 1961, six volt ignition was replaced by 12. In 1966 the engine was upgraded to a 12 hp Kohler. Somewhat later, the aluminum doors changed to steel.
Domestically, there were no real compe***ors. All in all, this was the nicest and best finished King Midget ever.
Manufacturer: Midget Motors Co., Athens, Ohio, U. S. A.

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<TABLE border=1 width=620 height=320><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>Model: Series III
</TD><TD align=left>Motor: Kohler, K301</TD><TD align=left>Body: Steel & Alum.</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Years Built: 1957- 1969</TD><TD align=left>No. Cylinders: 1 </TD><TD align=left>Ch***is: Perforated Steel</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>No. Produced: Est 3400</TD><TD align=left>Displacement: 29 ci</TD><TD align=left>Suspension Front: Strut</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>No. Surviving: Est 750</TD><TD align=left>Horsepower: 12</TD><TD align=left>Suspension Rear: Strut</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Length: 9' 9"</TD><TD align=left>Gearbox: 2 speed Auto + Rev.</TD><TD align=left>Steering: Pinion & Gear</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Width: 4' 3"</TD><TD align=left>Starter: Electric</TD><TD align=left>Brakes: Hydraulic</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Weight: 670 lb</TD><TD align=left>Electrics: 12 v</TD><TD align=left>4 Wheels: 5.70 x 8"</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Interior: Bench</TD><TD align=left>Ignition: Coil</TD><TD align=left>Top Speed: 50 mph</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

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1956 King Midget Series II After WWII pilots Claud Dry and Dale Orcutt’s first car was a crude, midget-racer-styled car built on a wood frame. The Series I was sold in kit form through small ads in Popular Mechanics and other hobbyist magazines of the time for prices ranging from $50 to $300..
In 1951, a much more practical car was offered. Called the Series II, it resembled the Jeep with its square-cornered fenders. Intended for shopping or the golf course, the car gained a considerable following and was produced for five years. It is still popular in Shriners parades.
The dimensions of the car were chosen to be that of a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood, in order that four could sit side by side on a railway car: the intent being that a car could be shipped efficiently directly by the customer, who took the key tied to the battery cable, put in some gas and drove away. Parts were scrounged from various Ohio parts suppliers, such as the small car firm of Crosley in Cincinnati, who supplied the steering wheel and muffler.
The convertible top bows did not fold down, but could be completely removed as a unit and left at home. Drive was by chain to one wheel, and the mechanical brakes only operated on the rear wheels. Accessories included a wiper, metal doors incorporating side windows, or wooden doors used with canvas side-window inserts. These same doors carried on without change into the early Series III King Midget, introduced in 1957.
Manufacturer: Midget Motors Co., Athens, Ohio, U.S.A
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<TABLE border=1 width=620 height=368><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>Model: Series II</TD><TD align=left>Motor: Wisconsin 4-stroke</TD><TD align=left>Body: Steel</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Years Built: 1951 - 1956</TD><TD align=left>No. Cylinders: 1</TD><TD align=left>Ch***is: Perforated Steel</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>No. Produced: Est: 1100-1600</TD><TD align=left>Displacement: 380 cc</TD><TD align=left>Suspension Front Coil in Tube</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>No. Surviving: Est: 175</TD><TD align=left>Horsepower: 7.5-9.5</TD><TD align=left>Suspension Rear: Coil</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Length: 96"</TD><TD align=left>Gearbox: 2 speed auto</TD><TD align=left>Steering: Gear</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Width: 48"</TD><TD align=left>Starter: Electric</TD><TD align=left>Brakes: Cable, rear only</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Weight: 600 lb</TD><TD align=left>Electrics: 6 v</TD><TD align=left>4 Wheels: 4.80 x 8"</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Interior: Bench</TD><TD align=left>Ignition: Coil</TD><TD align=left>Top Speed: 45 mph</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=4 width=765><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top rowSpan=2 align=left><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=8></TD><TD>

1949 King Midget Series I Claud Dry and Dale Orcutt's first car was a crude midget-racer styled car built on a wood frame. A hand-operated clutch or centrifugal clutch was available .
It could be ordered in Kit Form or later as a completed car with a 6HP Wisconsin engine.

The wooden crate is a replica of how the kit would be shipped to you.

Kits were sold by small ads in magazines, and started as low as $50, increasing as the kit became more complete. By 1951, complete cars could be purchased for $350.

​

Manufacturer: Midget Motors Co., Athens, Ohio, U. S. A

​

<TABLE border=1 width=620 height=368><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>Model: Series I
</TD><TD align=left>Motor: Wisconsin, 4-stroke</TD><TD align=left>Body: Steel</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Years Built: 1947 - 1951</TD><TD align=left>No. Cylinders: 1 </TD><TD align=left>Ch***is: Wood</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>No. Produced: Est: 500</TD><TD align=left>Displacement: </TD><TD align=left>Suspension Front: Leaf Spring</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>No. Surviving: Est: 25</TD><TD align=left>Horsepower: 6</TD><TD align=left>Suspension Rear: Leaf Spring</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Length: 7' 10"</TD><TD align=left>Gearbox: 1 + no reverse</TD><TD align=left>Steering: Peg and cable</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Width: 3' 10"</TD><TD align=left>Starter: Rope or crank</TD><TD align=left>Brakes: Cable</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Weight: 330 lbs.</TD><TD align=left>Electrics: 6 v</TD><TD align=left>4 Wheels: 4.80/4.00 x 8"</TD></TR><TR><TD align=left>Interior: Single seat</TD><TD align=left>Ignition: Coil</TD><TD align=left>Top Speed: </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

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</TD></TR><TR></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=104>© 2007</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

Check this link out for construction/restoration pics

http://microcarmuseum.com/tour/kingmidget1.html

http://microcarmuseum.com/tour/kingmidget2.html

http://microcarmuseum.com/tour/kingmidget3.html

 

GREAT info HJmaniac. 'bout like an ENCYCLODEDIA on the King Midget!

 

Since you just put those web links up, bro, let's rememnd everybody about the "Midget Motors" link posted by HAMBer "Henry Floored" on pg. 2 of this thread!

APPARENTLY, THEY ARE MAKING NEW KING MIDGETS!!!

 

Those things are crying out for a turbo hayabusa engine. I wouldnt want to ride in it or drive it thought. I rode in a buddys stocker and theres not much for brakes. Pretty basic crude little cars

 

What an oddity! A humble car (BUT a real CAR!) weighing in TOTAL what a 392 Hemi would weigh!

If you guys CHECK out "Henry Floored"'s link on pg. 2, IT SURE SEEMS THE KING MIDGET'S TIME MAY POSSIBLY BE COMING BACK AROUND. For my 2 cents, I see cars like that (and the Crosley, too) as more suited to in-town driving NOT super highways. Midget Motors seems to be looking at various mills that lend themselves to power better than the original BUT economic & a tad more bio-friendly -- EVEN electric!

Heck, I may be a hotrodder at heart, but I'm pushing 60 now, have old, nagging injuries, and I'm starting to think it wouldn't be so BAD to have a little urban thing-a-ma-jig just to put around in -- hmmm?

 

http://microcarmuseum.com/tour/crosley-farmoroad.html

I would want one of tese way more than a king midget its a 4cylinder!

 

<TABLE border=3 width="90%" cols=2><TBODY><TR><TD><CENTER></CENTER></TD></TR><TR><TD><CENTER>1946 King Midget Midget One</CENTER></TD><TD><CENTER> </CENTER></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

Hmmm, Briggs and Kohler have some pretty nice V-Twin lawnmower engines these days, 23+ hp in an updated and smoother body might not be that bad for around the town driving, but you'd need a trailer to go grocery shopping...

 

Back in my grandpa's drinking days when he lived in Detroit, he did drive his lawnmower to the bar, drunk, after getting his license revoked.

They caught him.