1967 KING MIDGET, ANOTHER POST-WAR ATTEMPT

KING MIDGETS WERE A KIT CAR PRODUCED BETWEEN 1946 AND 1970. THEY WERE PRODUCED BY THE MIDGET MOTORS CORPORATION. THE KING MIDGET WAS VERY SMALL AND USED A ONE SPEED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF THEIR OWN DESIGN. THIS TRANSMISSION DROVE ONE REAR WHEEL THAT ELIMINATED HAVING A DIFFERENTIAL. THE DESIGN OF THE KING USED MANY AIRCRAFT TECHNIQUES TO CUT DOWN ON WEIGHT AND MAKE IT LIGHTER. FIRST GENERATION MIDGETS COST $270 AND SUPPLIED ALL OF THE PARTS EXCEPT ENGINE. IT WOULD ACCEPT ANY ONE CYLINDER ENGINE THAT COULD FIT UNDER THE HOOD. 1951 MIDGETS, ( MODEL 1 ), CAME WITH A 6 HP ENGINE AND IN 1952, ( MODEL 2 ) CAME WITH A 7.5 HP WISCONSIN ENGINE AND THE PRICE WAS NOW $500 AND NOW MIDGETS LOOKED MORE LIKE AN AUTOMOBILE. IN 1957, MODEL 3 WAS INTRODUCED WITH A NEW 76 INCH WHEELBASE WITH OVERALL LENGTH MEASURING 117 INCHES. NOW IT HAD 4 WHEEL HYDRAULIC BRAKES AND POWERED BY A 9.2 HP ENGINE. THE PRICE NOW APPROACHED $900. KING MIDGET PRODUCTION LASTED THROUGH THE 1960'S BUT EMISSION AND SAFETY REGULATIONS ENDED THE PRODUCTION IN 1970 AFTER ALMOST FIVE THOUSAND KING MIDGETS HAD BEEN BUILT. THANKS VERY MUCH FOR VIEWING THIS RARE KING MIDGET.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Car
• show
• 22
• 008

[jeepers2655]

Wonder where they all went?

[55lincoln]

@jeepers2655 I think that some have outlived their usefullness and were scrapped. A few others may have survived and maybe restored. I think parts for the King Midget are hard to find and keep a lot out of circulation. Your question made me wonder also but I can only think that this is the reason so few are seen. Thanks very much for your comment.

[catlyn7]

My girlfriend lived on a homestead in north Kenai Alaska in the 60's. Her parents ordered a king midget that came in a box (no joke) and they paid one thousand dollars.It was really funny back then because her parents were a little strange and this car was not practical for Alaska(all the roads were gravel and mudd). They had it for a short time and then got rid of it for real cheap. It seemed so silly back then..but I see they are quite valuable now.

[55lincoln]

@catlyn7 Wow! What a story! I agree that a King Midget is not suitable for Alaska roads. And it came in a box!! Too bad they didn't keep it for they are rare and valuable now. This is some story. Tanks very much for sharing this experience.

[kakashi1578]

We bought a type 3 1957 King Midget about 4 weeks ago. We named it Itty :D

[55lincoln]

@kakashi1578 Thats great! What a fun name you gave it. Best of luck to you in owning one of these rare King Midgets. You have quite a unique vehicle. Thanks for enjoying.

[55lincoln]

@lllllll5s This is a real midget. I can't get over the drivetrain in back. Thanks for viewing and commenting llllllll5s.

[lllllll5s]

LOL size