1932 Ford Midget Race Car
In the beginning of dirt track racing small numbers of cars would gather at a horse racing oval. The first dirt race was held in 1876 in Cranston, Rhode Island and was made up of 8 vehicles, most who were gasoline powered, however the victor was a man named Whiting who had an electric powered vehicle. After the initial races, dirt track racing stayed in the background until the 1920s and 1930s, which is when the sport became much more popular. This form of racing is the single most common form of auto racing in the United States. According to the National Speedway Directory there are over 700 dirt oval tracks in operation in the United States.
Drivers start your engines! Because we have in our midst a vintage 1932 Ford Midget race car. Yes it took some fearlessness to drive this at any speed as it has no roll bar or even seat belts. The drivetrain runs right through your legs so god forbid if anything should go awry on this system! Larry Bumpus of Charleston WV, (not confirmed if this is the neighbor in "A Christmas Story!"), built this machine and ran it until 1941. In 1947 Bumpus teamed up with "Smokey" Stover who drove the car until 1955. The car then went into storage until 1970 where it was picked up and moved to California and restored by Earl Summers in August of 1971. It sat on display in an auto toy museum and now currently the car does not run or have working brakes, so it will need some TLC.
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
Exterior
Chromed bar bumpers in the shape of a football helmet face guard adorn the front and rear of this car. A large sloping radiator cowl leads the way and is open for plenty of airflow. Next in line is the cowled hood strapped on and then the firewall cowl. Here we see a slightly curved windshield on top, somewhat protecting the driver from any throwback dirt or otherwise parts from other cars, if not in the lead. Another taller rear cowl takes over aft of the seat, frames the seat top and comes to a rounded point on the way back, looking somewhat like a boat tail. Here is where another football helmet face guard shaped chrome bar bumper resides. Extra fairings with venting cover the wide rockers of this car on the lowers. It is all bathed in powder yellow and sports some patriotic red white and blue stripes, gold "Steed" lettering and the no. 15 in blue. The body shows invasive rust and paint peel off where some of the steering and exhaust mounting parts have been bolted on. Open suspension in front and 12-inch magnesium wheels are wrapped by 5.50x12 dirt track slightly treaded slicks. Long chrome exhaust pipes run the length of the car from engine exit to just aft of the rear wheels. Some of the chromed adornments are pitted and show some rust.
Interior
Ahhhh the cockpit, where our fearless driver will pilot the car. Behind and under that small curved front "windscreen" for lack of a better word, we see a curved to match the firewall shaped aluminum plate which serves as the dash. It has a trio of primitive gauges and is fronted by a large bakelite steering wheel with an aluminum spoked center. The drivers area on either side is covered with padded black vinyl which also covers the high back bucket seat. This seat has some tuck and roll and a large headrest area to protect the neck from all those G's he's gonna get rounding those curves, sideways. (Turn right to to go left thanks to Doc Hudson!) The shift lever in between the legs, a handbrake has gone exterior as has a fuel pump for some extra go juice when in a pinch. Some wiring is also hanging out here, (not literally), with the other mechanicals for the steering.
Drivetrain
Under the hood, which flips totally open for easy access to do your wrenching, sits a Ford 136ci flathead V8. It has Edelbrock heads and dual 2-barrel carburetors under rounded chrome air cleaners. An Eddie Meyer Hollywood aluminum intake manifold is under these carbs. The transmission is a direct drive with an in and out box. No rust is seen here, just some patina in the ribbed cast surfaces.
Undercarriage
An open steering linkage arrangement along with some transverse leaf springs suspension is on front and in back are the same springs. Mechanical hand braking is on the back only.
Drive-Ability
The car will not start and it is also noted the brakes do not work. You will need to perform some TLC before you go out and mix it up on the dirt.
A vintage balls to the wall unprotected, unbelted, dual 2-barrel carbed racer to dig up some dirt and smoke the competition. A nice display piece or if you get it running, can take a few pace laps at one of those 700 dirt tracks throughout the US. Go Speed Racer, GO!
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
