It seems that in the ’60s, it was totally normal to order a car kit from the back of a magazine and put it together in your garage. Barn Find has profiled countless kit cars, replicas, and sports cars assembled by amateurs that have somehow made it to the present day. While most of these were conventional in appearance, one car was unconventional in every way. Even the way the car was powered was unusual. Want to have the smallest car on the block with the least horsepower? If so, this 1967 King Midget convertible for sale on eBay in West Monroe, Louisiana is right up your alley. With a blistering 12 horsepower on tap, this all-original American microcar is a window into a different time in America. Is this unique little car worth the $10,000 asking price? Thanks to Henry R. for the tip!
The whole story of this diminutive automobile got started when two pilots named Claud Dry and Dale Orcutt got it in their heads that they were going to build a small car on the aviation design philosophy of minimal weight and unit construction. Their first car was a single-seater styled after the midget race cars that were wildly popular at the time. To advertise them, Dry and Orcutt adopted the unusual tactic of taking out very small ads in the back of the many magazines tailored towards homeowners who liked to build projects at home. With these direct and to-the-point ads in Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, and other such media, they were able to skip such niceties as a dealer network and appeal directly to their customer base.
Available first in kit form only, those customers received a box that included all of the parts needed except for the engine and a few other parts and pieces. Power was provided by any single-cylinder engine the buyer wanted. Most single-cylinder air-cooled engines at the time provided anywhere from 8-20 horsepower, and the power was transmitted to the right rear wheel by a centrifugal clutch. If you are thinking that this was more go-cart than automobile, you are probably right. The difference was that the King Midget could be tagged and registered for street use while driving your similarly powered go-cart through the neighborhood would immediately draw the wrath of your local busybodies and then the bored, doughnut-fed fury of the local cops.
The second model of the King Midget, which appeared in 1951, had a body enlarged to accept two very close humans. This time, the kit came with a 7.5 horsepower Wisconsin single-cylinder engine and could be ordered as a kit or assembled for $500. Later cars had the option of moving to a two-speed (sort of) automatic transmission with the reverse that previous King Midgets lacked. This transmission proved to be so popular that it became standard equipment. When the third iteration of the King Midget hit the market, it was far more refined. It sat on a new chassis with a 76-inch wheelbase and was a whopping 117 inches (just under 10 feet) in length. Its body was welded together to form a rudimentary unibody, and the available horsepower soared up to 12 screaming ponies. It even came with such niceties as a 12-volt electrical system and a speedometer.
By the time the original owners sold out and the new caretakers drove the company into the ground, around 5,000 King Midgets had been sold. This 1967 King Midget is one of the most original examples you will likely find of these dwarf cars. The paint, upholstery, and even the tires are original to the car. It sat in a museum in Hobe Sound, Florida until purchased by the seller in 1976, and was last given a Florida inspection in 1976 and tagged in Louisiana in 1977. During that time it has been stored inside and the seller believes that it should start and run perfectly. The good news is that parts are still available for the Kohler engine that provides power to the rear wheel and it can be brought back to life at your local lawnmower repair shop. The pictures reveal a small car that is a good detailing away from looking like it just left your neighbor’s garage on its maiden voyage.
Gaak,,, $10 grand, oh well, may as well cross the King Midget off the list. I could have a nice MG Midget for half that. I never thought I’d see the day, that novelty items, and that’s all this is, go for 5 figures. These never really gained popularity, although, I’m sure some poor sap drove one to work. With $18 wiper blades, and such, I’m so tempted to take it another step from the Jeep for simplicity, but a more likely scenario is, sell the Jeep and take the public trolley bus with all the other seniors that have given up on vehicles.
Reading this write-up, I had the following thought:
Golf carts are commonly seen puttering around neighborhoods. I did a quick check of TN regulations, looks like golf carts are exempt from licensing and registration as long as they are not modified to operate above 20 mph. So, I wonder what would be the reaction to one of these, if it was made operable, left unlicensed, and used just like a golf cart? While there certainly are fancy (and expensive, i.e. five figure) golf carts out there, a King Midget in this role would certainly be a conversation-starter.
Anyone have any experience with how this would be received by your local authorities?
Thank you Jeff.
I’ve had a few of them. Mine would top out at 48 mph, so I don’t know about using it as a golf cart legally. I can say that a golf cart probably rides and handles better. I had mine legally licensed and insured for the road.
The asking prices are all over the place now, but the last one I sold within the last 5 years, didn’t sell quickly at $4000
The “Museum” was Auto Land on US1 which always had a bunch of automotive oddities as well as classics, but I don’t remember this one. Everything on display inside and out was for sale, and I visited every month or so to see what was new. Regret not buying a pretty nice ’53 Nash Healey LeMans coupe for $1500… and turned down a trade of my ’67 BJ8 for a ’39 Lincoln Zephyr coupe. Saw my first Ford Taunus 17M there. Kind of a neat used car lot and roadside attraction. But I digress. Wait, $10 grand for a King Midget?!?
They sold 5,000!!! of them. Holy crap. That is way more than a lot of cars we all know about and had tons of press. And covers of magazines. Like Bugatti EB110, the original Hummer H1s, Panos, Shelby, Briklin, the list goes on. I relieze these are selling in completly different price points. But still I would call 5,000 cars a success
My brother had a ’53 model in the mid 1960’s that he and Dad bought from Oliver Elam, who was a gold cup and unlimited hydroplane racer / owner. (Ollie’s Folly ). It had the two speed transmission. It was a fun car that taught us the rudiments of machinery repair and maintenance. Perfect for a teenager in our small town. In warm weather, all the girls wanted a ride !
Dreaming and continue on with the song, because that is exactly what he’s doing “DREAMING”.
I think i would target but two nice go karts and pocket the remaining $8500