I bet you didn’t know you needed this, did you? This is the first time I’ve come across something referred to as a “Dwarf” and had it not be an insult. This is a real-deal thing, however, as the Dwarf series of competition vehicles combines a compact, Model A-style body with a 1100cc Suzuki motorcycle engine, to create a little hell raiser that would be well-suited to autocross-style events or simply ripping around your small town that will never see this coming. Find it here on eBay with an opening bid of $850 and no reserve.
While the primitive construction and somewhat cheeky design may draw a smile from the corners of your mouth, these are real-deal machines, crafted with the intention of going to race in a competitive environment. The Dwarf model, if you will, is to take a 5/8 scale version of vintage racing cars from the 1928 to 1948 period, offering drivers a vintage looking track weapon with modern safety features and running gear. While it seems like these specialized racing vehicles are still manufactured, this car was purportedly constructed in the mid-1980s, and was later modified for street use.
I’m honestly not sure what makes it suitable for use on the street, and/or how comprehensive the “retrofit” was. It still seems fairly unsafe to use, but I’m sure that makes me a wuss by some of our readers’ calculations. With the right engine and tire configuration, these machines supposedly could reach 100 miles per hour or so on straightaways, and a competition-grade suspension kept it glued to the road surface – however, by most accounts, it seems like these were used mainly in a shorter, oval track-style environment. Obviously, creature comforts are minimal.
The engine is perhaps the most intriguing component of the whole package. I’d love to know more about which bike model donated its motor. Curiously, when you dive a bit deeper into the autocross forums, the SCCA guys don’t find the Dwarf all that compelling, pointing to the Formula F500 as being faster and more rigidly constructed. It seems to me this would be a blast to use on local backroads, assuming you can get it registered without a title. Have you ever driven a Dwarf? Would it be a fun car to hustle on local roads?
Saw quite a surge in Dwarf Car Racing about 20 years ago but it seems that they kind of took a nose-dive after that. Go-Kart racing seems to be holding its own.
I know a number of families that regularly race in the Go-Karts and have a lot of fun doing it.
When the local race track was open there was a regular Kart racing event. I remember three or four times they tried Dwarf cars but it sort of fell through.
Of course things had to become “politically correct” so the Dwarf Cars were changed to “Legends.” Rather silly. And then, Political Correctness became an epidemic.
The dwarf car is division at local dirt tracks and asphalt tracks, most of them utilize motorcycle engines for power plants.
This ‘RACE CAR’ is an honest to goodness racing machine.. Very popular around the country. Be fun for parades..Nice find.
Yes, also called Legends cars.
https://www.uslegendcars.com/
Yamaha powered usually, sealed engines to keep competition even and budgets down. Narrowed Toyota truck rear ends (diff off-center to keep driver low)
Barely safe if ever streeted, (but I have thought about it) and certainly not as a convertible!
I always thought that if the rules would let you it would be cool to put a Harley engine in a dwarf car, wouldn’t win any races but would be the baddest sounding car on the track.
needs meet state regs to go on our streets, I’d think.
I’d not use it w/o fenders due to tire created projectiles. If
in my shop, after that I’d run it, just not sure how long (as again,)
not lotsa free time for that activity. I think wrenchin might B the more
fun, time spending from my spot…
A good roll cage might be next. With wheelbase, 73″ ; Width, 60″ ; Length, 10’6″ ; Height, 4’6″ ; Total Weight, 1,100 lbs. I thing that’d B next. Then the road requitements for driving the thing (if wanted). Otherwise it goes on the race trailor to events…
Light weight and fun in the right environment. A little scary on the street. And the suspension is set up for roundy round racing. It would be problematic on a,road course.
Back in the 60’s, we would have called this a “run what’cha brung” and hope your good buddy was running tech inspection at your local Saugus or Ascot. But even when dwarf cars were still called dwarf cars, i never saw one that looked like that. Apologies to the owner, but I’d be afraid to drive that in and out of the shed it came from. But when you look at it not too closely (and squinting helps), it just might be the most fun car in the parade on those hot summer nights in small town America… towns like Weed, CA (it’s real name), or Fertile, Iowa (also it’s real name.
Been through Weed a few times. Don’t blink, you will miss it. There is an area by us called Weed Heights! (believe it or not named for Mr. Weed)