We have seen a couple of King Midgets here over the last couple of years and there is no question that they aren’t as popular as most other cars are. But, for those of us who love unusual, small, and/or oddball vehicles, something like this 1966 King Midget Model 3 really turns my/our crank. This green machine is listed on eBay with a buy it now price of $3,999 or you can make an offer. It’s located in Clinton Township, Michigan and even if it was working I’m not sure if you’d want to drive it home.
This is a third-generation King Midget, or as they called it, a Model 3. Or, Model III. Or, a Type 3, or Type III, or.. I know, too many names. The founders who started and ran the company profitably on the idea of producing only as many cars as they could sell, retired and they sold the company to a new owner group in 1966. For lack of a better term, this new group ran the company into the ground by producing many more cars than could ever be sold and they went bankrupt in 1969. A new owner was in place with plans for a new fiberglass model but in 1970, after producing only 15 Model 3s and three of the new prototypes, a fire destroyed the plant. Everything was lost including all of the new prototypes and also the body mold for the new car. What a sad ending to such an interesting company.
The seller is asking what I think is absolute top dollar for this example, if not much more than it may be worth. Well, I guess since it’s still for sale it’s overpriced. Running and less needy King Midgets can sell for $4,000 so I’m not sure if they’re getting any bites on this one. You can see that it needs a ton of work. It has surface rust all over.
Leopard skin seats and dash! None of that or the lime green color can be factory correct but I love the lime green and I would restore it back to that color. I believe that this would have been a white car originally. An electric windshield wiper and washer, carpet, and even a radio were all optional in 1966. The seller says that this car has had one repaint back in 1970 and they have owned it since 1972.
In 1966, the former 9.2-hp Wisconsin engine was replaced by a 12-hp Kohler engine. While that’s a nice upgrade it’s almost impossible to talk about a King Midget without someone suggesting a “Hayabusa transplant”. This one isn’t running and it’ll need a full restoration. A lot of parts are still available but the next owner will have to do most of them work him/herself in order to not be too far upside down, value-wise. Have any of you owned a King Midget?
Poor li’l car. I’ve always wanted a King Midget in my collection, but would rather spend the extra cash for something less rusty.
I’ve been watching that Green one on Ebay for a while. It started out at $4999. It looks like a good start on one, but they can be bought very reasonably if you’re patient and do some shopping.
I currently own two, and have had two others, One was a nice driver with an upgraded 16ho Wisconsin and a comet torque convertor. The one I’m currently playing with, I was the high bidder on Ebay, April 3rd of this year. I bought it for half of the asking price for the one currently listed on Ebay. . It’s all original, runs and drives well. I give it a quick coat of paint, stitched up a new top, and put some golf cart hubcaps on it. They are cheap fun entertainment, but certainly not something you would want to do any long drives in.
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Very cool, Darrun! Thanks for sharing.
Interesting you would make the comment about long drives. I met a guy at a micro car show in Orlando a couple of years ago who has one in pristine condition and has driven it all over the country. I think it would be fun doing short touristy hops from one place to the next if you’re not in a hurry.
I agree the price on this one is steep.
Like !
Funny little cars. I used to see one every day while on my way to junior high school (1960’s). It would come chugging up to the stop sign, stop with what must have been quite a bit of effort, and scoot along. I always envisioned the driver putting his leg out of his door and dragging his foot. A good friend of mine’s father used to drive one when he was growing up. He said that, because of his size, his dad would make him get out when going up a hill and walk, as the car didn’t have enough oomph to pull them both up the hill. He said that there were some hills where they would both have to get out and push it up the hill, as his dad wasn’t a little guy either. One day he spotted a used Crosley on a lot and told his dad about it, and they traded the Midget in on the Crosley, a big improvement. Whenever he talks about his childhood, it just makes me smile, thinking about the great memories he has. And Scotty, how come whenever I delve deeper into one of the cars on Barn Finds, you seem to be on the other end of the review?
Always liked King Midgets,,,in certain applications. Gated community, very, VERY small town. Clearly could use a “re-power”. So many better engine choices today than in 1966. Any motorcycle engine is better than that snowblower motor. Make sure you lose the wheelbarrow tires though.
Back in the 80s I saw one on a lot for $500. Alas at the time I needed something that could maintain highway speed.
I was actually stopped by the police when test driving a King Midget…..Had dealer plates and he was SURE it was an amusement park ride gone rogue.
The conversation was right out of “Trains, Planes, and Automobiles”
“Do you think this is suitable for the highway!?!”
I wanted a King Midget since I first saw the ads in Popular Mechanics in the Late 40s, and early 50s, and I would consider buying one today. This car is near me and I am looking for another toy plaything. Currently owner of a 49 Studebaker, but I think I will pass.
I always wanted one since seeing them in Mecanix Illistrated. (Gee can you see that I used to read Dad’s hand me downs!)
I always thought that they made sense in metro areas that people now use golf karts for. Compared to a golf kart. They look like a little sports car!
Last year when visiting a friend on Dauphin Island he took me over to a neighbors house that he was watching to show me what was in the garage. Knowing (he thought) that he would stump me on what it was. As you can see above he didn’t stump me. I would use one for a drive to town vehicle!
Back in the 60s a guy who lived by my Grandmother had a King Midget and I always wanted one . Everyone I have found around here upstate NY , has been crap and priced way too high
I actually had a 53 that my dad found, it was a blast until a snow plow took it out
Would convert one to an EV if I could. I
would use a shell of a car to do it. Could
see myself buzzing around town for pennies a mile! Would be good to have
an EV like this during hurricane season.
Just plug it into your solar powered charger, and ride while the others are walking.
I have a 66 King Midget, had it for many years, its completely stock. Runs about 50 mph on flat roads, fall off on hills.Fun to drive. This one on Ebay way over priced. 1800.00 – 2000.00 actual value.
For that much money I sure hope they throw in the cinder blocks.