As the 20th century was well under way in the 1920s and 1930s, the automobile had quickly become a household attribute. Our obsession with the internal combustion engine meant we were looking to go faster, have more fun, and find a past-time in the automobile. During this time grand prix racing was prevalent throughout Europe and was primarily a sport for the wealthy and the manufacturers who could afford the expense of motorsports.

Here in the US however, with the extreme mass production of the Model T, Model A, and the newly introduced Ford V-8, there seemed to be all the right ingredients to go fast with this type of equipment. With a little ingenuity and creativity, midget racing was born, and has yet to end as it has evolved and led to other forms of similar motorsport, such as quarter midget racing and various forms of flat track racing.

The 1937 Midget Racer on offer is the ultimate example in many ways. It started life in New Hampshire where it was constructed in 1937. It was campaigned locally in New Hampshire until 1942 when it passed to Ferris Rand of San Diego, California, a well-known local racer and enthusiast. At this time it was registered with the United Midget Association, and was known as car No. 78, per the original dash plaque still installed on the car to this day. Here it was campaigned throughout California, well into the late 1940s and early 1950s as we are told. From that point on however, it sat dormant, yet complete in dry California storage for many years. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that the car ended up with a collector on the East Coast who decided a total restoration to bring this example back to its former glory was necessary.

During the restoration the car was entirely disassembled, the '37 Ford V-8 was totally rebuilt and painted to proper specification and all accompanying running gear and related parts were also completely rebuilt. The body was straight, as was the chassis. Once the mechanical aspects were finished, the car was in primer at this time. It was decided, unfortunately, that the project would not continue, and the car was reassembled while still in primer. In essence, this is a totally restored example only requiring the finishing touches (paint and chrome) to be show worthy. Everything from exhaust pipes to bearings, pedals, and linkages have all been tended too with much money spent on making it totally right, and totally in order.

As with any midget racer, it’s all about the build, who did it, when, and what parts were used. This example has nearly every component one seeks in these fun little racers. Powered by a '37 Ford V-8 (60-hp-fully rebuilt), with a Ford V-8 three-speed transmission with reverse, cut Model T frame, Model A cut front axle, '32 Ford spindles, locked and narrowed Model A rear, '27 Model T wheel centers, live rear hubs, Model T front hubs and pressure plates, Model T rear axle plates and axle, '23 Franklin center steering, '35 Ford pickup grille shell (sectioned and narrowed), Model T brake lever, early Henderson motorcycle generator, Model A front shocks and handmade steel body.

Ultimately this is the parts list of a period correct midget racer of the 1930s; the "real deal," and a rare opportunity to acquire an example with known history and very real. The original colors of a black body, silver running gear would make this period racer a serious show stopper and the ultimate midget racer for the discerning collector or enthusiast.