Time magazine pulled no punches when it put the King Midget micro-car on its 50 Worst Cars of All Time. It called the King Midget “a crap-tastic little vehicle. Or “the four-wheel equal to those Briggs and Stratton powered minibikes.” Name-calling aside, the car screams pure Americana. It’s affordable, collectible, and cool.
The King Midget that was for sale on eBay has solid sheet metal. Its interior looks to be complete and the canvas top is intact. Gas Monkey found the Model III in a collection of odd small cars and motorcycles in Old East Dallas. Fast N’ Loud featured the car in an episode. Although the Model III is well preserved, keep in mind that it’s not in running order.
The 500-Pound Car for $500
Believe it or not, the King Midget Motor Company of Athens, Ohio was once the sixth largest automobile manufacturer in America. Civil air patrol pilot buddies Claud Dry and Dale Orcutt launched the company after World War II.
The company got its start by producing tiny kit cars that required local sheet metal fabrication and assembly. King Midget’s Model I rolled out in 1946. Next, the Model II rolled out in 1951. It gained some popularity via its clever marketing slogan: “The 500-pound car for $500.” You could buy the Model II in kit form or assembled.
The company took a leap in 1957, when the Model III took to the streets. Call it a clown car if you like. But the little roadster had big car technology like unit-body construction and four-wheel hydraulic brakes. A hard-working 9.2 horsepower Wisconsin AENL engine powered the car. Then, the company upgraded into a 12-hp Kohler engine in 1966.
The example on eBay is well suited for restoration, despite some rust underneath. Sadly, Gas Monkey Garage won’t host the mod. Tony Taylor of Gas Monkey told us:
Richard wanted me to list it on eBay and get it gone before Aaron got a Hayabusa engine shoehorned in it.
A screaming Hayabusa powerplant would be a hoot, but its light years from the car’s original intent. Rumor had it that King Midgets could have up to 100 miles per gallon. Some people considered them the lowest-priced car in the world.
Calling All King Midgets
Buy this King Midget now, and you’ll have time to get it running for the 26th Annual King Midget Jamboree in Athens, Ohio, August 11-13. That’s where King Midget geeks will celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of Midget Motors. The planners expect more than 100 cars this year. Some will run a 100-MPG Challenge and the grueling High Street Hill Climb event. The Jamboree’s Hill Climb recreates King Midget’s post-assembly line. Passing this test made a car worthy of shipment.
From the 2015 King Midget Jamboree, held in Warsaw, Ind. This year’s event will be in Athens, Ohio.
Bob Vahsholtz, the coordinator for the 100-MPG Challenge, said:
The cars will run on a measured course with calibrated fuel and we’ll see what the old wonders can do. With proper tuning, careful driving, and a big crowd to cheer them on, maybe these fine old Midgets can still match their claimed performance.”
