[Spridgets] 1956 King Midget Series II (NoLBC)

PAUL SHERMAN montpaul at msn.com
Fri Apr 9 11:24:43 MDT 2010


Just get the plans

1956 King Midget Series II
After WWII pilots Claud Dry and Dale Orcutts 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.


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