c. 1938 Ford V8-60 Powered Midget Race Car

This circa 1938 midget race car was purchased by the current owner's father in about 1994 from a Harold Robbins in Canada. Based on photos taken at the time of purchase, this race car was largely original, intact and appeared to be in solid, well-preserved, unrestored condition .

The race car was restored for display and exhibition purposes after being purchased. It is not known the last time it was ran. The engine of this vehicle is a stock, Ford V8 60 horsepower engine from the late 1930s. Although the engine appears to be in cosmetically good condition and complete, it has not been operated and its mechanical condition is unknown. The engine is coupled to a typical "in-out" gear box/transmission.

The chassis is a typical steel frame that has been narrowed to accepted the body. The front axle is a shortened Model A Ford front axle. The rear axle is a narrowed Model T rear axle and both front and rear suspension springs are from a Model A Ford. Typical of most midget race cars, the car has rear wheel brakes that are operated by a hand lever. The car has period midget car solid disc wheels with correct reproduction racing tires. The steering assembly is a Franklin center style steering which operates from the center of the cockpit and controls the front wheels via a side-armed drag link assembly. The shock absorbers are from a mid-1930s Ford.

The body appears to be a period, professionally built or commercially made midget race car body. This particular body is unusual because it is made of steel and not out of aluminum. The hood appears to be a replacement although the front grill and radiator cover appear to be original. Like most race cars, the body shows some evidence of damage and repair but has survived in very good condition. The car was repainted during the time of restoration and the paint is in very good overall condition. The interior is also in very good condition.

The car is fitted with a proper and correct set of period gauges on the dashboard which are in very good condition. The car retains its original and period correct hand pressurized fuel system, brake lever, steering wheels and other controls. All of these components are in very good original condition.

Since the completion of its restoration, this race car has been shown at different vintage automobile events such as the annual Motor Muster at The Henry Ford Museum as well as at vintage racing events sponsored by the Antique Automobile Racing Association (AARA). The car is registered in the AARA’s roster of vintage race cars.

Overall, this is a very good example of an authentic, late 1930s style midget race car. It can be used in its current condition for display purposes or could be mechanically inspected and serviced to be used at a variety of vintage racing events. This race car is being sold to settle an estate. The price is 12,000.00 and it is being sold with a bill of sale only. Located near Detroit, Michigan.

Call 734-730-4274 or email: motoringicons@hotmail.com for more information. Thank you.

Through the amazing power of the World Wide Web, I had a call from a gentleman who lives in Ontario, Canada who knows more about this car than either I or the owner. Apparently, this midget was originally built and raced by a Jack Gaunt (sp?) who later sold it to an Earl Parent, who sold it to Gary Porter who sold it to Harold Robbins who sold it to the current owner's father (the one who restored the car). The car was apparently actively raced through the 1950s. The gentleman I spoke with said he was offered the car from Parent during the 1960s or 1970s but turned it down because he was trying to build a 1940 Ford stock car at the time.

Price reduced to 10,000.00.

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