THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING (KING MIDGET CAR MAY MAKE A COMEBACK)

Cleveland Plain Dealer ^ | Jan 18, 2004 | Mary Seelhorst

[Las Vegas Dave]

The once and future King

Ohio was once home to dozens of automobile companies, among them Winton, Arrow, Baker Electric and Willys-Overland. If Mike Beebe and Rick Burk holder of Norwalk have their way, Ohio will regain at least one small vestige of its former automotive glory when they revive the King Midget.

King who? For the uninitiated, King Midgets were real, gasoline-powered, street-legal cars built in Athens, Ohio, from 1946 to 1970.

"Real," however, needs some qualification. When first introduced, the King Midget was a single-seat kit car suitable for any single-cylinder engine. It had no top, no windshield, a one-wheel chain drive and one forward speed. For reverse the driver flung a leg over the side and pushed the car backwards. The car's high points included up to 90 mile-per-gallon fuel economy, bantam weight (one person could pick up the front end), easy maintenance and a price of about $270 in 1949, which works out to about $2,000 in today's dollars.

It looked like a midget racer. Midget is the right word, too. The car was only 8 feet long 4 feet shorter than a Volkswagen Beetle. The top speed was about 45 mph, but in a small, open car low to the ground, that feels fast enough. Initially, buyers had to assemble King Midgets, but because they were advertised in magazines like Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated and Popular Science, the idea was to appeal to people who enjoyed the do-it-yourself aspect.

Most drivers would place a biological reverse gear in the drawback category. However, in a 1950 article, Tom McCahill, father of the test-drive school of automotive journalism, called leg-power "twice as reliable as any [reverse] now on the market." The pull starter and absence of a gas gauge, however, clearly put the King Midget in the same technological arena as a lawn mower. By now any sane person should be wondering, what in the world would possess these guys in Norwalk to revive such a thing?
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About The King Midget

The King Midget is one of the most unusual small cars in automotive history. It was for many years the most affordable automobile in the world. The original model cost the exorbitant sum of $500 in 1946 and rose only slightly over the years. It has enjoyed, by all accounts, the longest production run of any small car not made by a major manufacturer. It was made from 1946 until factory operations ceased in 1970.

The original designers, Claud Dry and Dale Orcutt first sold the car as a kit in 1946. After passing through several dedicated owners since 1970 (for detailed history see the King Midget Car Club site at http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/3348/), the King Midget brand has found a new home in Norwalk, Ohio at the facilities of Midget Motors.

Midget Motors is supplying parts (or complete vehicles) for King Midget enthusiasts who want to restore or maintain their vehicles. We also plan to produce an entirely new model, the model IV King Midget sometime during late 2001 or early 2002.

What exactly is a King Midget? There were several models produced during its production history: the series I, II, and III. A model IV, the Midget Commuter, with a fiberglas body shaped like the ubiquitous dune buggy of VW fame was prototyped, but not produced in significant numbers. Each of the models are similar to each other insofar as basic chassis and running gear are concerned. The cars are approximately 4 feet wide and 8 feet long. They feature unit body construction (in the later models), run on 8 inch wheels and weigh in the neighborhood of 500-700 pounds. 50 mph speeds are attainable and fuel economy is 40mpg and above. Wisconsin gas engines were used in the early models and were later replaced by Kohler units in the mid 60's. Horsepower grew from 7.5 to 9, then to 12 although individual owners are known to have substituted more powerful engines.

[Las Vegas Dave]

I didn't own one of these. In the early 60's, my only means of transporation was to peddle a Roadmaster around town, but one of my neighbors, (Benny) owned a king Midget similar to the above photos.

Ben's son Franky took me for a ride wide open at 45MPH downhill, thought I would not live to be 12 years old!

I have never forgotten that ride!

[Happy2BMe]

I'll pass.

[Paleo Conservative]

I like to see the collision tests.

[baltodog]

I live 9 miles from work.

Van-Everlasting (my '89 E-150 with 351W) takes about 15 dollars a week in gas for the commute.

I would love a little buggy like this to get to and from work.

This looks like it'd be a blast in an icy parking lot as well.

[glockmeister40]

For $2,000 I could get a decent used "real" car. I couldn't see driving this thing to work and around town. Even with a full sized 4x4 truck it's still combat mission. I couldn't see this thing on the interstates or any other high speed road.

I get 15-20 mpg in my truck. I think of it as buying additional insurance. I have 6,000 lbs. of steel around me in case of an accident.

In an accident, this thing would provide about as much protection as a styrofoam cup.

[Inyo-Mono]

I can remember seeing ads for these in Popular Mechanics in the early '60s.

The pull starter and absence of a gas gauge, however, clearly put the King Midget in the same technological arena as a lawn mower.

If that's true my old 1960 Volkswagon would qualify, it had no gas gauge and I sometimes had to use a pull starter (made by VW) to get the engine going.

[pt17]

A fellow in my home town had one in the 50s; however, nobody I knew cared to ride in one since we coveted motorcycles and 55-57 chevys. Nice bit of nostolgia, though, so thanks for the post.

[glockmeister40]

I like to see the collision tests.

For this vehicle, you can simulate one - just put a styrofoam cup in your hand and gently squeeze.

[ExSES]

Wow, does that one take me back!

When I was in the 8th grade, a group of guys carried the principal's King Midget up stairs to the third floor of the school and left it in the hall (causing quite a stir)!

The principal asked for volunteers to carry the car back down to the ground (after taking some pictures). No one was ever punished but, the principal chained the car to a large oak tree every day thereafter!!!

[Ditter]

I couldn't get out of my driveway alive in this thing. I would drive a VW but not this thing.

Does anyone remember the little 3 wheeled Isetta in the 50's? As a teenager I rode my horse into the dealership & they let me test drive it. I went home & took my mother for a ride.

[68skylark]

I looks like a death trap.

But it looks like a fun death trap!

[Semi Civil Servant]

I will admit that I'd probably get more stares in a King Midget than I do in my 'Vette, but I think I'll suffer along in my current two-seater.

[niteowl77]

Does anyone remember the little 3 wheeled Isetta in the 50's?

There was at least one Isetta in the state of Iowa, as I saw it as a kid. It set the standards for "odd" in my automotive mind, but I'd probably enjoy owning a good one at this point in life. My wife thinks Toyota Echos look like eggs but she's never seen an Isettta.

As basic transportation, the King Midget never appealed to me as much as the (pre-OMC) Cushman Eagles that were moldering away behind people's garages.

[genefromjersey]

I remember a car called the Crosley,which was a "well-appointed" midget:tiny on the outside;surprisingly roomy on the inside.I rode in one once-on country roads-about a 14 mile trip.It was a bit chilling to come up alongside other cars,or (shudder !) trucks and busses !

There was a whole spate of mini-cars for a while,including a German-made 3 wheeler.(It may have had 4 wheels,with 2 on the same small axle .)I remember some woman we knew owned one,and, as a joke,several men at the plant where she worked picked it up,and put it on the loading platform...

[Ditter]

Living on the Gulf Coast the first question I have about a vehicle is: How is the A/C? I ask that before I check to see if it has a motor or brakes or anything. I had a VW beetle '79 that I could only drive in winter. I got stuck in a traffic jam in the summer in it & I nearly died. It wasn't too bad if the top was up & you could keep moving. LOL

[martin_fierro]

King Midget is to car as Segway is to motorcycle.

Discuss.

<|:)~

[martin_fierro]

King Midget's target market.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

It was parked for many years in the front showroom at Racebrook Imports on the Sand Road in Iowa City.

[martin_fierro]

This article brings to mind American Austin/Bantam cars (failed competitor to the Jeep) built in Butler, PA.

[Rose in RoseBear]

Pingpingping!

[Cuttnhorse]

Oh, that midget...I thought you meant this type of midget:

[painter]

"There was a whole spate of mini-cars for a while,including a German-made 3 wheeler."

It was 3 wheels and it was called a Mesherschmitt.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Not to mention the American-made 3-wheeled Davis auto.

[niteowl77]

I wonder if that was where I saw it then. We'd sometimes go through Iowa City on the way to visit relatives, and dad was an adventurous type who would try different routes in a quest to find the "best" way.

(Which was invariably the "worst" way, and he eventually gave up that little game for the newfangled but efficacious I-80).

There must have been few takers in the Isetta market, Iowa-wise.

[19th LA Inf]

Offenhauser midgets used to be beautiful before they hung the barn doors on top. Done in the name of safety, I suppose. Back then they ran the turns with one front wheel completely airborne ("hanging one"?) Unfortunately a lot of men took their last ride in one.

[blackdog]

It won't make any comeback once the EPA and DOT get thru with it. Let's not even mention the safety issues/lawyerly death.

My 1947 Ford 9N tractor provides a high level of visibility, lights, an upgraded 12 volt starter/battery with alternator, and requires no drivers license. As a real bonus, it's covered under my farm insurance policy similar to homeowners.

The engine rebuild record on the tractor(which uses steel sleeves) indicates nine rebuilds prior to my tenth. A rebuild costs about $200 in parts. It has a total of 48,000 +/- hours on the tractor. I think that would be the equivelant of about 2,400,000 miles on it engine wear-wise.

It cost me $2,500 and it cuts and bales hay, digs fence post holes, runs a saw mill rig, generator, bedding chopper/blower, wood chipper, and brush hog. It's retired from field work such as plowing and cultivating because it can only pull a small plow and no subsoiler. It would take two days to prepare a twenty acre patch with my trusty Ford. It takes about an hour with new equipment.

Did I mention you'll never get stuck in the snow either?

[Celtic Conservative]

yes and some of those fokkers were messerschmitts! (sound of rimshot) If you havent heard the rest of that joke, freepmail me , i don't dare tell it in its entirety here =8v )

CC

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Is it gray with red engine ?

[blackdog]

The interstate was the death of civility in this country(as was indoor plumbing the death of the American family)

I drive my British cars in the summer on nice days. They are not really a funride on a four lane or highway, so we always take back country roads to get where we are going and at a steady 45 to 55 mph, and being British cars you don't slow down for turns, you push right thru them like a snapped rubber band.

The people, the sights, the gas stations, and eateries are so friendly!

[blackdog]

You betchya!

[uglybiker]

King Midget is to car as Segway is to motorcycle.

I betcha there's enough room in there to squeeze the drivetrain from an ST 1100. Then it could be a fun car!

[blackdog]

The Taconic Parkway in Westchester County/Putnam County New York, and the Lincoln Drive-East River/West River Drives in Philadelphia are the best roads for a sports car in the world.

Your spouse or date had better be wearing a rugged bra unless they want to be waiving them out the window in the turns.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Can you drill holes (I'm a tree planter, not a fence builder) from the PTO ? Digging a hole for a new tree here in the Missouri Ozarks rock and clay is a pain.

[dix]

I had a ’59 VW convertible, and I seem to remember there was a lever by the pedals that I kicked to the right when the main gas tank was empty. For 58, or 56 horsepower I can’t remember exactly, she moved pretty good.

[blackdog]

Any post hole auger rated at 500 to 800 RPM in the gearbox which connects to your three point hitch does nicely. You do need a freespinning PTO adapter on the old fords because the inertia of what you are spinning will backlash at your tractor without it(like brush hogs/mowers etc...)

A three point auger will run you $1,000 new or $200 used at an auction(usually leaky gear oil seals in the gearbox which are easily repaired)

I planted a hundred black locusts and a hundred red cedars last season. For small plants though I prefer the HST planting bar.

[niteowl77]

My parents had a late Triumph Spitfire, probably the most unreliable mechanical device in that household since the demise of the clapped-out VW Beetle they bought for me to drive. There was a FIAT X1/9 in between the two, but that thing corroded away before it could become a real repair hog. The late, unlamented Spit continues to be a family legend, and the car itself is now owned by someone who gives it the attention it demands.

Giving the UK one more chance, my 70+ mom - proving that septuagenarians from Oxford Junction can be hip - bought a new Mini late last year. She loves it, despite my sister's scorn ("Yuck! It's an Austin Powers car!"). I want her to bring it over so I can take it for a spin on Hwy 52 through Durango and Rickardsville... which is as close as we get to exciting asphalt.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Suggest a drive down through Quasqueton on 282. Nice flat blacktop and no cops most of the time.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I have been looking at Kubota diesel tractors. A bit more modern than the old Fords and Masseys...

[blackdog]

Truth is IMHO, that new equipment is just way overpriced and I would rather glean auctions and sales than take out a loan.

The accountant I use (big on farm returns) laughs at tax time every year. Every year I buy three of four used implements, wagons, or needed stuff for cash. The depreciation cycle is less beneficial on used, but carrying no debt sure makes you sleep better.

There are some farmers with similar income streams as me that just have to have a new skidsteer, a new baler with kicker and of course the three caged wagons to catch the bales, a 100hp tractor, and new everything.

I send my kids to private schools instead.

The best device I made yet is a three point large bale spear for the back of the ford. I took the old cultivator frame and welded tool steel spears onto it. I can back right up to any bale, lift most the weight off the ground, drop a mechanical bale lock that prevents the bale from sliding back, and "Presto" I just avoided having to purchase a skidsteer or heavy front end rig/tractor setup. I do have to steer the Ford with the brakes though with all that weight on the back.

Sure beats spending $25,000 though.

[blackdog]

I've got a Triumph GT6 with EFI and Toyota Supra Gearbox/tranmission conversion. A real screamer! Some MGB-GT's too.

The GT6 is a six cylinder fastback which shares some heritage with the earlier Spitfires. It was only made from 66 to 73.

The MGB/GT is a very comfortable ride and a gentlemans car. The GT6 is very spartan, handles like a nose heavy rocket, and cramped.

They sure draw attention though.

[blackdog]

I had a 68 Spitfire in High School in the mid 70's. It was the most reliable car I ever had. The thing with British cars is that you need to know the complete simple systems forward and backward. If you don't, the little things will eat your wallet. Suspension Bushings, Stromberg and SU carbs, hydraulic shocks, Lucas logic, and know that tinkering repairs are the rule.

[blackdog]

You can go to Johannesberg South Africa right now and buy a real Mini of 60's vintage for about $1,000. You can actually have it crated and shipped stateside for another $1,000.

$2,000 to acquire, another $5,000 for a new interior, engine overhaul, and paint job you've got the real Mini for $7,000. Sure better than the $22,000 plus for the fad version which will only depreciate.

[JimRed]

If that's true my old 1960 Volkswagon would qualify, it had no gas gauge and I sometimes had to use a pull starter (made by VW) to get the engine going.

My '56 Triumph TR-3 had a hand crank starter which I actually used once when I ran down the battery by leaving the parking lights on.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

That's because the parentage of this engine was a Massey Furgeson tractor.

[ErnBatavia]

King Midget's target market.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Out of the Park !

[fella]

Can't you just see one of these out on the interstate cutting in front of an 18 weeler and locking up its' brakes.

[tubebender]

Can't you just see one of these out on the interstate cutting in front of an 18 weeler and locking up its' brakes.

In a Yugo...

[tubebender]

Down Memory Lane. I worked for a repair shop south of Fresno in 52 and 53. Lots of those Fords worked the vineyards there. We had the blocks bored and put in cast iron Sleeves because they with stood the dust better when the farmer didn't clean the oil bath air filter.

Maybe you can help me out here. I seem to remember a problem with a shifting fork problem (3 point hitch or pto?) You had to break the rear housing down to fix it. Because of my small hands I could do fix it through a inspection port and made the shop extra money. Does that ring a bell?

[blackdog]

Based on what I can tell from the slop/thread/bolt wear, the PTO engage lever on the left under the seat had been the culprit. I say this because you could tell it had been serviced many times until someone figured a better fix. I've had no problems with it. I also like the lite on compaction qualities of the bugger.