WILL IT RUN After 60+ Years? Miniature Racecar with 2 Stroke Engine
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- Опубліковано 9 вер 2024
- One of our best finds EVER, but will it run after sitting for more than 60 years??? This historic race car is a bit mysterious, but appears to be one of a kind. We piece this OFFYETTE quarter midget race car back together, which was originally built in 1955, based on my research and information from Douglas Schiller, the son of the man who created the Offyette. This is one of around 12 early production Offyette bodies and may be the ONLY ONE with this particular setup. The Bolens two-cycle engine is all there, and this thing is only missing a few pieces. We hope to get it running and driving again and turn my kids loose in it once we deem it to be safe (enough).
We're still hoping to dig up more history, but we've found that the body, front suspension and steering are definitely Offyette pieces, while the frame, engine and drive train is a home brew combination. Although it may look like a vintage toy or go kart, this was a pretty legit race car! I can't believe my dad found this thing at an estate sale.
#hotrodhoarders #racing #history
Dad built two of these for me. The first one I started racing a few months before turning 5 years old. That was in 1954. He was very good at getiing the most power out of those small engines. I believe the second one had a Continental engine in it. Everybody ran a four stroke engine, no two strokes. We lived in Newton, Kansas and I primarily raced at Joyland park in Wichita. The track was a 1/20th of a mile oval, and our cars would go about 45 miles an hour. We raced for points, and in 1957, I got second in the state with the second car, which was lighter and faster. There were a few store bought cars, but most were handmade by guys that worked at the airplane plants in Wichita. My dad was a mechanic and then became an aerospace machinist. One year mom even made us all matching shirts for the racing, and they used them for their bowling league also. After my brothers were born, we didn`t go racing anymore, but my closest competitor kept racing for about fifty more years. I used to have a couple of hundred trophies, which my youngest brother has now. I am 72 now and still have that 1957 trophy up on the mantle, it is one of my most cherished possessions. Thanks for the memory!
At the age of 4?? That's badass!
@@mikeymiranda859 My birthday is end of May. We would have started racing when it warmed up enough, so end of March, first of April. I drifted through the turns and everything just like a regular dirt track racer does.
That's badass! Definitely don't make em like they used too lol
Jerry Ottaway, of the family who owned and ran Joyland, now has helped establish a very nice motorcycle museum in Augusta, Ks, just east of Wichita. Joyland was a great place for adventures in the '50s until it was closed.
So you're a contemporary of Mike Hill/Star trophy from Prairie Village Kansas. I knew Mike from kart racing....helluva' driver who died in George Benni's offy midget in 1971
Awesome, small race car with serious engineering , not a toy..Must be a blast to drive...Thanks...
My dad is a pretty small framed guy...might have him test drive it before I turn the kids loose haha.
Man, that's brilliant.!that little racer deserves to be restored and used, then preserved for your future grand children!
They might have a hard time finding fuel for it
I had a neighbor back in 57 that had 2 of these 1/4 midgets 1 was 2 cycle ,the other one was 4 cycle brigs &straton .This was in Independence,Missouri.
Oh wow, very cool!
@@HotRodHoarder check out my other post,I've got a issue of PM about these I'm trying to dig up now.
I was born and raised in Independence, MO and recall my parents telling stories about going to Olympic Stadium in Kansas City to watch the midget races. I’ve read that A.J. Foyt raced quarter midgets as a young man an got his first USAC Midget feature victory at Olympic in 1957.
What an awesome find. Loved hearing the old two stroke run. My son and I raced micro midgets in the 70's with 250cc motorcycle engines in them. Ron
Thanks for watching Ron! That little motor sounds like it has plenty of power.
Ron, my friend and I built a go-kart from scratch using 1' square tube, and like you used a 250cc engine. It was an X-6 Suzuki with the six speed trans. I have no clue how fast it actually was, certainly not as fast as the bike (good thing) but too fast for me.
@@granddad-mv5ef oh wow. The x6 hustler was a decent bike for it's day, I'd imagine that was one fun lil kart.
My cousin has one that he inherited from his dad that is all original and it has a triumph motorcycle engine in it, i think it's a 650cc or 750 cc Bonneville, great video, thanks 👍🏆.
In England we called priming to. "tickle it" until the bowl floods.
I'm 59 years old . My grandfather raced go carts I the early 60s . I still have 2 carts , 4 or 5 west bends , and lots of parts . He owned a cart shop back then and I ended up with his inventory. We ran them on the ice alot when I was a kid , grew up on a lake .
My Dad & Mom bought a Kurtis-Kraft 500 "bathtub" for me in 1960. The man selling it pulled into my Dad's wrecking yard, talked to my Dad, money exchanged hands & we were in the 1/4 midget racing sport. My Dad raced stock cars earlier in the 1950's against Unser Sr., A.J. Foyt, & Parnelli Jones, and everyone run what they had, mostly flathead Fords. We raced from the fall of 1960 until 1967 when I turned 16. The worlds record track was Fresno, CA and we held the modified class record for a year in 1963. You mentioned San Diego, we lived in Oxnard, CA, and also raced at El Cajon, right next to San Diego. Any where a race was going to be held, we tried to make it there. Went all over the U.S.A. ( except for the north east) and I enjoyed racing as much as my Dad did. Mom was the movie taker & cheering section, Pop was chief mechanic & technical support. Those years were wonderful and I had a very rare opportunity to be the beneficiary of their time & involvement while we raced. I'll never forget how great those times were. We lost some, but won some, and sometimes didn't finish the race, but we always tried our best. Good luck on your project, you've got a fantastic start for some lucky child to drive that race car!
Music to my ears… I love it when old engines come back to life….. OUTSTANDING!!!
That is a quarter midget car , When I was a kid we used to watch them run on the Sacramento Raceway track , They had a dirt track for these cars
Nice fine mann
I was there with my Dad in the 70's 60's too.
This brought back some fond memories from the late 50's. My dad raced go-carts then. I remember him racing 1 or 2 times. When I was about 5, we were at home and my dad was watched midget racing on TV . After the race was over I picked up a pencil and paper and drew my first race car. My mom couldn't believe that I could draw something that accurately. That was the first time I remember drawing anything. She always wanted me to be an artist.
In 1958 the Jacobus Fire Company in Pennsylvania had a 1/4 midget track behind the fire house hosting Sunday afternoon races. A youngster from Harrisburg successfully drove a black with red to orange/yellow flamed nose Offyette by the name of Hill, I don't remember his first name.
Get a Feb 1958 copy of Hot Rod magazine for an article for additional information on all the major manufacturers.
York County had a second track in Rossville beside a Triumph and Jaguar automobile dealership. A local resident produced the Aceracer 1/4 midget.
Both tracks ran sanctioned 4 cycle motors some with Solt speed equipment. I don't remember anyone running a clutch, parents just pushed on the rear body to start. Outside hand brake levers were common. Many early racecars had a full belly pan, rules changed to stop the pan just past the seat so leaking fuel couldn't collect and run forward into the cockpit.
Another brand was Kurtis Kraft styled more like an Indy roadster with torsion bars suspension, they too were fast!
Midget - TQ or Three Quarter or 3/4 Midget - 1/4 Midget. (They are all different racecar types)
May your family enjoy your Offyette treasure after restoration.
In the early sixties my best friend's uncle had a building he leased to a man who left town town owning a lot of money to him. The only thing he left was a quarter midget with the number 26 painted on the side. It was powered by a Triumph Motorcycle engine and transmission. I was about 16 and my buddy was 16 and already a good mechanic as his father was a mechanic and taught him. We dumped the old fuel and cleaned the carbs and for several months had a blast driving it on the street and running from the lone policeman in the town. Out on a country road we saw 110+ mph runs. We never knew all that had been done to the engine but is was a screamer. We had to push start it with pickup at first and it would smoke the tires as it pulled away from the push vehicle. Seeing this video brought back great memories.
I have a 3/4 midget My Father Built in 1950s he raced in NASCAR 1956-57 #756 owner/driver..plus run 40 plus years of open cockpit cars,Sprints,Midgets,3/4 Midgets...have his photo albums and all his Race Car Parts too...
Thank you for ALL your efforts and sharing these fantastic finds with Us. This one struck a nerve with me. I CAN NOT wait for future vids on this project. You have a GREAT channel, and again Thank YOU!!!
My dad got my brothers and l a quarter midget car in the late fifty's in the Los Angeles area. We would take it to empty parking lots and he would hand push it to start it so we could get some driving experience. We also took it to Ascot park in Gardena, ca., which was owned by J. C. Agajanian who also raced Indy 500 cars, they also raced sprint and midget cars there but on Fridays they raced quarter midgets. We never won a race there as there was a girl racing there and winning all the races from us frustrated boys. My father also bought us a soap box derby car kit which we put together but never raced in Ohio, just pushed it around the block crashing into the neighbors fences, lol.
All I can say is cool. The best part was your Dad's reaction when it Lit up 👍👍my brothers had one in the early 60's my older brother has it on 8mm I was young thanks for bringing back this memory my Dad was pretty cool always bringing home horses dirt bikes ponies you name it we had it he was always trading for something for us great memories thank you
Very kool. Can't wait to see it in action !!!
I'm super excited to get it drivable and get my little girl behind the wheel. Just need a master cylinder and a new chain to make it move again.
They used to have a 1/4 midget track in San Antonio, Tx, at Comanche Park and we used to go watch them in the day and the go out to Pan American Speedway, and watch our dads race in there 50s model cars. Boy didn't this bring back some memories from days gone by.
I had a friend back in the late fifties who was the New England quarter midget Champion. His car was an Offeyette, It was all black with a gold leaf number 2 painted on the rear cowl and the car was called the Black Deuce. It was powered by a continental single cylinder 4 stroke engine. He used to race in Meriden, Connecticut at the Silver City Speedway which still hosts quarter midget racing to this day. The car had been sold years ago And I often wonder where it ended up my friend died from lung cancer about a year ago.
Ahh man, that would be a cool one to find. I'm sorry to hear about your friend.
I bet that was a awesome feeling when that thing fired up, a great story and content, thanks!
The major parts supplier for 1/4 midgets was Solt. Bolens was major lawn mower and tractor brand and is now part of MTD.
You're quite correct!
Love that car. Your kids will have a blast.
I had an uncle who saw these in the 50s and decided to build something quite similar. He worked for Cooper Bessemer as a machinist. He was a perfectionist. He built and had the housing cast for a 2 forward 1 reverse gear. 4 wheel drum brakes, Shocks around , and a nifty suspension. I was a pretty big kid at 11 and only got to drive it twice. After he put the front sheet metal on it my legs wouldn't fit. It was actually a little car. When he first put it together ( took over 5 years ) he had a 4 stroke engine and put on it. It wasn't there long, It would run at least 80 mph. He told me later on that it was a 17 HP engine. He raced me up the road in his 53 Chevy ragtop. He said he was doing 80 and wasn't catching me. ( Probably where I got my love for cars and racing). He built it for his daughter who was 9 and a little kid. He took the 17 off and put on a Briggs 3 1/2 hp. After that I didn't even really want to drive it. As far as I know his grandson still has it.
Felt like telling that story. That thing would fly on second gear😊😁😂👍👍
Thanks for sharing Tom. Us (slightly older) guys appreciate hearing tales like this. There are sooo many great stories out there like this that sadly, never get passed on. Thanks again.
My Dad raced those when he was a kid in the early 50’s around the Akron, OH area. Thanks for posting the video. Very cool.
This brings back memories. My older brother had a metal flake blue one back in the 1970's. no engine in it tho. we used to push each other around the yard lol It also had the "B" on the front, the guys he got it from last name was Barnes .
I can't believe you got that to run without taking that Amal carb off and cleaning it those carbs are not the most reliable carbs not just this GP carb but all Amal carbs, the slides stick the float bowls leak but you're right that's a Amal GP performance carb. Both of my Uncles used to flat track motorcycles in the 50's and one of their racing buddies after he quit flat tracking he used to take his spare 45 Harley flat head racing motors and cut them in half and make a single cylinder racing motors for these Micro sprints he was a machinist by trade and it really came in handy when doing this conversion.
my son used to race those back in '79. he was 4 years old. they raced at south mountain in phoenix, AZ. had a 15 horse boze engine in it. you just brought back a bunch of good old memories
We knew Mr. Bose; people would pay a premium for his engines. My Dad was very savvy about engines and most of the time, we would beat the other guys with their higher priced motors. It boiled down to my Dad's knowledge and how to go faster without breaking the rules in the QMA book. We raced in Phoenix and enjoyed it immensely. I hadn't heard Mr. Bose's name in a very long time. He did have a great talent for making the single cylinder motors fly!
When I was about 8 years old and living in Colorado my dad built a quarter midget for me. My dad raced at a local track named englewood speedway. They actually use to let quarter midgets run on the track a few times a season. This brought back memories. Ours was a 4 stroke engine. That deserves a full restore.
That's a museum find, I'd say. Would definitely be worth restoring...or just fixing up. The patina is great!
I like leaving stuff as found as much as possible...... But this is far enough gone that I'd restore it. Plus it would make a great family project
My dad raced midgets in the late 50s and early 60s out of Ft Worth Texas and in Oklahoma. The cars were about this size but were called Micro Midgets. He raced with Johnny Rutherford when JR was just starting his racing career. From the stories he's told me, a lot of different engines were used. He used a Harley 45 flathead engine but other guys would use outboard motor engines, Indian 45s etc. I think most of the guys he raced with bought components and built their own cars. I've been looking for one myself to restore. Great story and great research on yours. I'm glad to see these old race cars fixed up and looking like they did back in the day
My son races Quarter Midgets in Tulsa,Oklahoma. This is too cool.
This is an awesome find! glad to see you were actually able to get it running, the rest should be pretty doable, it would be awesome to see your girls to be able to drive this thing around some day soon.
oh so sweet of a find!!! the midget racing was a regular event up here and maybe i can help . midget racing was held regularly at Hinchliffe stadium in paterson n.j. . paterson was a hub of some of the great racer's and top mechanic's in the 50's 60's and 70's and was also home to the original gasoline ally. i met an older gentleman who has one at his shop with picture's of the midget driver's and i think he was one to. can't wait to show him this and bring back the good ol day's. great video and can't wait for more!! 👍
Woo Hoo I haven't seen anything like that in years👍💪🍻🦅🦅🦅🦅 THNX!
Cool little race car. Would have been a good time for a kid to learn and experience the racing world. Enjoyed the video. Enjoy the weekend and Take Care
Thanks for watching! I can't wait for one of my kids to give it a trip around the yard.
That's awesome!!
Thanks for watching Josh!
During the 50's my father raced micro midgets in our small Nebraska town.
Old 2 strokes never die..
I was maybe 3 yo and drove one of these at my dad's friend's house. My memory of this is limited and the video triggered bits and pieces. Remember being on a track in a huge back yard... he built it and was teaching his kid my age to race. But brings back great memories of early 60s
Amazing craftsmanship in that little engine. An engine that old and sitting that long it was willing to run again. You made the find of a lifetime and as you uncover more history of the car, it will be an invaluable gem. Please keep us updated. Nice to see a find Close to home. I live just southwest of Knoxville.
Excellent video! Thanks for posting!
Thank you for watching!
Ohhhhhh pal that is sweet nice add to collection and the history wow
What you have is a Micro Midget. We have two of them now. Man and uncle had them in the 50s an 60s.
WOW !
That is just too cool !
I remember back in the late 50's a neighbor kid having one of those that his dad and he would take racing on some saturday mornings.
It had the 4 stroke engine which sounded differant and did not have the mixed gas.
I had a lawn mower with the 2 stroke engine that I had to mix gas for.
At that time I was already too tall to be able to sit in the little race car but I sure wished I gould have driven it.
What a great find you have there !
Thanx fur sharing.
My father started racing in one of those back in the 50's and 60's. A Quarter Midget is not a toy at all. They are still raced today.
When I was growing up in Plainfield IN, they had a 1/4 midget track in the town park. I so wanted to have one. Never happened though. This was the early '60s.
I had a friend or two in the early 60s with the 1/4s in the garage that they outgrew. I never got to drive them but I did race the minibikes. Most of them were two strokes but the four strokes were showing up. My own had a Clinton on it. Not as sophisticated as your engine. That little rig would be a lot of fun to rebuild. The carb I know very well. I used them on my bikes later in life!
I bought one at a yard sale in S C in around 1975. It had a 7hp brigs on it. It was pretty cool I had a friend when growing up in the 60s that raced them so when i saw one i had to have it for my son. it was a blast for many years.
I saw one of these as a young child in the late 1950s. A preteen neighbor across the street had entered a contest that the local Pepsi Cola distributor had this as the First Prize. He won. This was in North Jacksonville, Fl. 1959.
We used to race those on the base (US NOTS China Lake) in the 50’s. Ours were single cylinder 4-stroke.
Hot Rod Hoarders...I can only imagine the excitement you feel when researching these vintage race cars, especially when you get to hear one run, I would think twice about restoring this quarter midget, maybe restore it mechanically, it will be in this condition one time!!....these vintage race cars need to be saved...be safe..God Bless!!
My cousins raced quarter midgets in the mid to late 50s maybe even as late as the early 60s. Mike and Cindy Welch lived in Moline, Illinois. I know there was a real nice circle track in Moline.
The cars were all beautifully painted, and there dad my uncle Ron was really supportive of the racing.
Awesome little gem😀👍
What a brilliantly narrated video . So clear , so EXCITING. How I envy you . I had a Motus Mk5 kart -based hillclimb vehicle .I wish I still had it .Thanks.
Man that is a fantastic little racer. Congrats on finding it and all the info. about it.
Maaaan!!! That's beyond cool. I had a old midget, that unfortunately I never got it running. To this day I regret not keeping it. But man that is sooo cool.
Very interesting. The tread design was very cool 😎
My wife's dad had one of these things in the 1950's don't know if it was an Offyette but it looked very much like it. He ran an Indian motor (am not familiar with motor )that was cut down to one cylinder and a Johnson outboard motor at various times. Fuel tank looks like it's off a Lawnboy model 3003.
Southern Indiana amature dirt track racing. Only bits and pieces made it out to Arizona when he brought his family out in the 1960's Sold off most of it as there was no place to race. Don't think there was anything left of it after he passed away.
I found one of these inside an abandoned garage when I was teenager. I didn’t know what is was then and we had a chance to buy it for $50. That was in 2002. It was in destroyed during demolition.
That is just so damned cool! Darlington, South Carolina
OMG that’s. Cool as hell!!! Thanks for sharing this with me!!!
My father was friends with Carl and bought the first production model for me to race when I was 5 in 1954. The one that Doug restored was modeled after mine. I currently have 4, 2 early models and 2 later models. Yours has similarities to an Offyette but the engine cover looks modified and as you mentioned that internal frame was never done in an Offyette. The rear brakes are also different from a stock Offyette. So my guess is someone bought a tub from Carl and built the framework to accommodate the 2 cycle engine. Front leaf suspension would place it as a late 50’s or early ‘60 tub.
What an amazing piece of racing history! Your Dad was wise to get it @ the estate sale, he saw that there was something special about it. When we think the Web has all the answers, it's hard to imagine there is so little about these cars. I think I heard about them as a reference in an article, like" so and so used to race Offeyettes". Fantastic thing that you connected with the son of the designer, and I wish you all the best in the restoration.I am subbing and look forward to more of the journey!
Very cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gave Coker a shout out today in my 57 Plymouth Plaza video, and I finally used the tires you sent me. I guess I'll stop trying to contact you after this.
That was awesome! Love the look of that Plymouth...the old flathead 6 sure seems to run smooth. We appreciate the shout outs...don't be a stranger!
That’s an awesome little car
Nice! Beautiful car, and what cool history. Can't wait to see what all you do with it.
When I was a small boy back in the 60's, I used to go with my dad to the old El Cajon Speedway in the east part of San Diego county. I have a definite memory of cars that looked like this racing there. In my memory they seemed bigger, but then again, I was much smaller in those days.
Love a project--especially when kids are the beneficiary!
There was a similar one in Whitehouse Ohio that was raced in Toledo in the 50’s and 60,s. I should have bought it!
Shout out from Johnson City! Great content.
OMG. Is that just the coolest little car or what. Can't wait for you to do a step by step and see it ripping some asphalt.
That is the coolest midget racer, and I can't wait until the next video on this racer , thank you for sharing it.
This is fantastic!!! Great find my friend. I hope to catch up with you sometime this year now that life is coming back to normal even a little bit. Thank you for all your hard work and love of the sport.
I didn’t think I’d ever see one of them motors again. My uncle had a collection of quarter midgets. One of them had that same motor. Unfortunately after he passed they were sold off. I have pictures somewhere, if I find them I will send some your way.
Oh wow! Yes, please send pictures if you can find them. My email is byrdrods@yahoo.com. Thank you!
That things is beautiful! I want to know more!
Man that's a beautiful piece
Such a great body shape and design! I couldn't believe it when I saw it.
Gday from Australia. Great channel you have . Enjoy the history of the old race cars. This midget car would look awesome restored. Am building one from scratch for my son.
awesome little race car
I’m originally from the Tri-cities in East Tn. Back in the fifties my neighbors, the Hawkins use to race midgets at the “Black Bottom “ track in Elizabethton,Tn. That car may have been raced at that track! I remember a young female driver was killed when her car went over the wall.I think they may have closed the track not long after that. I was six years old at that time.
Oh wow! I'll have to look into that...I appreciate the info!
Wow that is a Great find can’t wait to see it restored
I'd love to find one of those! I missed out on an Offyette locally about 5 years ago. You snooze you lose!
That liitle two stroke sounds fantastic seeing as its been stood so long
Sure hopes for a “part 2”😀
Hi love it, look in expansion chamber exhaust pipes with the right configuration it will fly, great stuff mate keep it up cheers
I hope you've remembered to mix 2 stroke oil with the gasoline. After watching your video I can tell you that my friend's car Had a lot of chrome on it
All the sissy bars on the back And the sides We're Chrome plated and the grill was also chrome plated. The car was absolutely beautiful and all professionally lettered. It was an absolute miniature of an offenhouser race car. There was also another manufacturer Of quarter midget cars called Pacemaker. His dad had picked up one of those for 1 of his younger brothers to drive. My memories of those cars were around 1959, they were very popular throughout the northeast. I don't recall seeing any of them with a two stroke engine in them.
Heres another reply you might have missed " ...
Moneygooddude
20 hours ago
Nice! There was a company named "Small car" that might be one of them. Lots of people custom made their own cars. My dad made is own cars called the
" Pacemaker" only four got built unfortunately. He customized a Small car and a rodan also before creating the Pacemaker. You can contact the Portland quarter midget racing Association for more information about different types of cars. Let me know if you run across one of those Pacemaker cars! Thanks!
..."
That looks like the kiddieland cars from the 60's that ran around a single track, just wide enough for the car itself. I used to love riding these but if it is, it would only go a few mph.
Fun time 😁👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
The tickler on the carburetor remind me of the amel carburetor on my triumph 🏍 And I see it is early British carburetor
Lets go racing love to see it motivate undertone power with the pilot in the cockpit
Me too! I had a ‘71 Triumph 650 Tiger - the single carb version. Six-volt electrics, carb tickler, and kick-start only. Loved that bike.
@@localcrew Yeah I think the single carb that went with the wording tiger if I remember right and then Bonneville have the two carburetors. My son has the bike now knowing him he’ll probably make something café style
Yep. I found an almost- cafe looking seat at my not-so-nearby Triumph dealer and tried for a cafe look with some lowered handlebars but there wasn’t enough clearance and my thumbs would get pinched against the tank. Put stock handlebars on and it worked great. Had ape hangers on when I got it but still had the stock front brake cable and clutch cable so both of them got stretched and kinked. Some time later I was on a ride with some friends and the clutch cable snapped while we were in a parking lot. When we left, I got it rolling on a slight incline, banged it into gear, and my fellow riders watched for traffic on the 55 mph road while I circled the parking lot. When I’d come around to the exit they waved me off a few times then finally they waved me out and I no-clutched it all the way home. Fun times.
@@localcrew The only time I ever had a clutch brake was on a Dnper . it’s a Russian motorcycle like Urel ,, and had a Sidecar it was probably 1950 I got it through Canada it came up with a bunch of Russian farm machinery. I think it was a 1950 s could’ve been years earlier I think the title had the word unknown so they didn’t know the year. It had a car battery in the Sidecar and the guy said just hook this up. So I had to end up at least figuring out the color of wiring in Russian and I wired it so it actually would charge in the end, it was well it was a real handful no brake on the Sidecar😮 . I think I’m gonna be picking up 2 early 70s triumphs just something to tinker with a friend of the neighbors have had them for quite some time and he’s not doing anything with them . 🖖🏼🏍
@@MoeLarrycurly1 Cool! Mine was a ‘71. Had the oil tank built into the frame and a bit of a wonky shift pedal. Was the only year that used a leaf spring on the foot shifter and it just wouldn’t speed-shift. Like at all. Drive like an old man and you’re good. 👍
Thanks for the sub!🤙
I remember watching these race in the late 50's. They were using Cushman engines at that time. The cars looked identical!
I've been a small engine tech for 30+ years. Bolens parts are really tough to find at this point in time.
What a beautiful little machine you have 😃✨
Ok now let’s see it restored and going down a track.
my friend has one, had it for years, completely restored and hangs on wall in shop
Just saw your post on 1/4 midget.
Growing up in California in the fifties, we could rent these at a local track. I learned to drive these at 7 years old. Have been racing ever since.😎
Now that's awesome!
Thank you for a great video, I raced quarter midgets in the late 60’s when I was 7 until I was 13, I still have several trophies laying around, we live in Washington state and we raced in Washington, Oregon, California and even raced in the national’s in Denver and Ohio , l would donate some trophies to set around your quarter midget if you want, just let me know….
This video brought back a lot of great childhood memories!!!!!
I will try to find some old pictures of me racing,
I love your UA-cam channel, keep up the great work …Bill
Thank you Bill! Glad this brought back some memories for you. Email me at byrdrods@yahoo.com if you don't mind and we'll exchange info. I'd love to have some old trophies to go along with this thing, just as a conversation piece.
Great find! That will be a fun project. What a great history too!
Wow what a great little car I wish I had one as a kid 👍🇦🇺
Wow,That is so COOL. Awesome.