Lot 255

The Charlie Thomas Collection

1948 Studebaker Midget Open Track Racing Car

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$30,250 USD | Sold

United States | Grapevine, Texas

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Addendum: Please note that this vehicle will be offered on a bill of sale only.

Inline six-cylinder engine, “in and out” transmission, straight tubular front axle, transverse leaf spring front suspension and cross-torsion bar rear suspension, “quick change” rear, and Halibrand disc brakes.

Midget racing, the oldest continuous form of motor racing in the United States, originated in the early-1930s in California and spread rapidly throughout the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Scaled-down versions of the “big cars” of Indianapolis, midgets competed on smaller dirt or paved tracks. While small in size, their high power-to-weight ratio, speed, and thrilling wheel-to-wheel action continue to draw enthusiastic crowds even today. While Midget racing has faced stiff competition from other motorsports since the 1950s, it has experienced a renaissance and served as a development ground for many NASCAR and Indy stars. Fully restored as a trophy racer, this Studebaker Champion-powered midget has been warmed up with plenty of vintage speed goodies. It has a finned aluminum head, Offenhauser intake with dual downdraft carburetors, and a custom exhaust. Halibrand magnesium knock-off wheels are shod with vintage Firestone rubber. Obvious effort has resulted in quality much higher than would have been achieved when new.