Micro car road trip!!

When I was a kid (I'm 67 now) they sold these as kits or assembled in the back of Popular Mechanics Mag. I grew up near where they were manufactured, so it wasn't uncommon to see one. I've watched you guys from day 1, this has been one of my favorite episodes! Thanks

Dang, that thing is sweet! We need to see that road trip ASAP! Some performance mods to that little Kohler and a shifter transmission would make that thing awesome! Keep up the great work guys!

The Kohler K301 in that machine is a good stout engine. It is much better quality than a comparable Briggs of the same year and horse power. And, you can get all kinds of parts for the Cast Iron Kohlers. A ton of them are still in use today in garden tractor pullers making a lot more horsepower than they were designed for. As a garden tractor collector, I would recommend leaving the Kohler in place and maybe modifying it for more power rather than toss it for a Predator. Great little machine you guys found there! Best of luck in bringing it back to it's former glory!

The tail on the back was from a promotion run by Esso the message was," put a Tiger in your tank" and the tail would hang off of the filler cap, the tigers tail would be hanging out. 👍🏻 Great little car, I love it when you repurpose or modernise these old machines 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Already diggin this episode after just clicking on as I’ve got two King Midgets myself. My newer one is pretty close to yours but still in the factory white body color. Grandpa found it at an Arkansas campground in their playground buried in sand for kids to climb on. My earlier one was bought by a friend of the family to drive in parades with his Shriner buddies. It’s one of the first models with wooden doors and floor. Oddly enough I just found the convertible top bows for the later one last week that grandpa had put up in the rafters. Instantly knew what they were as grandpa had described em to me in the 90’s in hopes that I may run across them while moving parts around during my first ElCamino build. So cool to see other people discovering these cars, and that you’ve got one of the steel and aluminum bodies instead of the later fiberglass bodied cars. Can’t wait to see where you guys take the build. Forgot to mention, if you guys ever need points, condenser, generator/starter or engine parts, Cub Cadet riding mowers from the same era will interchange. Almost to the end, somebody had to have changed the gearing. They’ll run 50+ no problem with the original centrifugal clutch. On a crowned secondary road though they do tend to get a little bit sketchy with the factory caster built into them. The shocks were pretty primitive originally which doesn’t help either. I’m thinking grandpa said he used shocks from an Opel Kadette but I could be mistaken as he had one of those little cars for my mom to drive to the city park’s pool when she worked during the summer. Unfortunately the car stories run together for me unless they were about muscle cars or drag cars. I can look at my King Midgets and compare to old inventory at his old garage that I bought a couple of years back. I ended up with a 50 x 10 wall of shocks, front end and brake parts from the family business when he shut it down and went to the coal mines. I’m sure you guys are good with your research but I dont mind helping if you run into a dead end. Anyway, keep up the cool content.

Absolutely love this project, and I cannot wait to see what you guys do with it. Really looks like it brought some old life back for John and Isaac

Yeah, I think your plan for putting the v-twin engine in it is a great idea. I can’t wait until the next episode!

Built in Athens, Ohio. After the car was put together they would run them up High Street hill and if they made it to the top they were ready to go. I have a photo of the plant where they were made with a bunch of them out front. Modern safety features put them out of business. There is a Midget Motors Club that comes back here occasionally for a weekend meet and tries the hill run. Fun to watch. Always thought it would be fun to have one with a mildly stronger engine.

It's good to see you guys having so much fun. Nothing electronic - no ECUs, etc. I had a 1959 Volvo PV544, and it was great to work on (but impossible to find parts for). One of my favorite cars and was daily driven to work in Denver in the late 80's.

Welcome to the Micro-Mini car world. I've been into Subaru 360's and Nash Metropolitans for 40+ years. King Midgets are cool, saw them a number of times at the SWULCS which has gone on for 40+ years. Enjoy the ride guys!

17:00 I love the fact that Charles ain't minding the mice, yet Ike and John don't even want to be near it! A manly sign of a true mechanic!

Not much smaller than a "smart car" ! Awesome find!

I just had to add a comment. I'm 78 and remember these little things also. A friend of the family bought one of these in hopes of franchising them. He drove that Midget like a wild man, scared the hell out of me. He even took it out on the main highway....no fear I guess. Sharing the road with those big old Buicks and Olds in 59 you really were a Midget. Nice to see it still lives .

Would love to see more with this car. Would be really cool if you guys took the 670 motor and put that in the car and then ran duals out the back.

Hey guys, that tail on your Midget, if original, is from Exxon gasoline advertising campaign of the 1960's. The tag line was "Put a Tiger in your tank!", and they gave away those little tiger tails with the elastic band to to put around your gas cap and have the tail hanging out. Pretty cool. I don't know if anyone reproduces that tiger tail any more. Also, I owned a British micro-car for many years. It was a 1959 Berkely SE392. Originally had a 392cc Excelsior two-stroke engine, but mine was modified with a 750cc Kawasaki Ninja engine. It was INSANELY fast!

30 seconds in and I can tell this is gonna be sweet. Looks like lots of fun for the future. It deserves a good detailing and buffed

Literally 50 years ago, as a high school senior, I had an after school job working in a small engine repair shop. We worked on Kohler engines all the time, so I am loving this video ! Have fun with the King Midget !!

On the older models, they were equipped with Wisconsin motors. The Koehler looks factory. I wasn’t aware they had switched engine companies in the newer models. My dad used to service the factory in Athens Ohio. He used to come home and tell me about the Midgets. I’ve always wanted one.

The engine is very similar to the version used on some of the 70’s cub cadets. The starter may be the same setup; it is a starter when energized by the solenoid, but becomes a 12V generator once the engine is running.

Hell yeah we wanna see a hell of a lot more of this micro car, and also you could just make an entire mini series on this car!!! Thanks for all the amazing content and much love and respect to all of you!! 🤘💯🤘💯🤘

Nice to see a car finally make an appearance on this channel! Hail to the King Midget! Hopefully this turns into a series?

My mother bought a new 1957 model from the ad in Popular Mechanics. It shipped from the factory in Athens, OH to us in Nashville, TN, by Railway Express, strapped down on a large pallet. Cut the straps, pour in a gallon of gas, and drive it home! ‘57 was the first year that electric start was standard, but the plywood doors were still optional. Hers had a 9hp Wisconsin engine with the dual centrifugal clutch drivetrain. I got to drive it a lot when I first got my license in ‘62. It was great for delivering my newspaper route. It could get up to 45 mph, downhill, with a tailwind, and could make it up most hills. The manual windshield wiper would keep your left hand busy in the rain.

I've seen several micro cars before, but never saw one of these before. Thanks for getting it back on the road again.

I would love to see it back on the road. You don't see any of them out on the road it is part of the automobile history Love it

I vote on 670 👍🏻 a true dual exhaust would be cool

That with the Tillotson 225, suspension and boggy tires would be a little beast. But Ike would most likely shed a tear if anything drastic happened to it.

King Migits were built in Shelby Ohio for many years. There is a big shindig every year for this unique little car. Basically they went out of business due to the one wheel drive, Wonder what would happen if someone put a differential rear end a more modern say a Harbor freight V-twin.

Been liking this channel for a while but Charles brings it to a whole new level.

Consider this, since you're replacing the master cylinder and a few other brake components. Start out with the idea of this car sits most of its life. DOT 3 brake fluid does not do well over a period of time. Build your new brake system around DOT 5 brake fluid, which is pure silicone base. It won't absorb water and it does evaporate. My Harley always had brakes in the spring when I got it out for the summer. You need to start fresh with all new hoses and wheel kits, but it will be worth it when it's ready to drive every time you want to drive it. Love your find and look forward to the 670 build.

That is so cool.You guys rock keep em rolling rolling.All the best to you all.

Hey guys, had to rewatch this one with the Mrs...she loves this little car!! I'm a HD partsman...just thought you'd like to know for reference.....those clevis parts used for tie rod ends, they are most likely for air brakes. They are installed between the air brake chamber and slack adjuster. Cheap and easy to find at any big rig truck shop. Cheers!

Great video. I think I'd like to see what can be done with the Kohler engine before the Predator V-Twin is installed. A few mods and general maintenance. Once all that's done and you've road tested a bit more, then think about the upgrades. Cheers and keep up the interesting content.

I know my opinion doesn't count for much but I think, with such limited numbers of these little cars out there, repairing and modifying the factory engine may be a little more unique than just stuffing a 670 in a classic car (unless the Kohler is toast). Plus a little hotrod flat head would be uber cool .

I love it! A neighborhood kid had one in the late fifties. I never saw anything so cool.

That second sound you asked about is the intro to “there is no place like Nebraska”. Fight song for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers.

What an amazing example of a Midwest micro car! Kohlers are extremely durable and it sounds like that one has a lot of life left in it, if it were me I would just reseal it and do a full carb rebuild. The fact that it could maintain 30-45 relatively easily with a CVT was impressive! A 2 speed transmission might help out your low-end power and top speed for the road trip

This channel never disappoints. Go King Midget!

I'm 67 and I remember lusting after these as a kid, seeing them in the back-page ads of Popular Mechanics and Mechanics Illustrated. Leave it to you guys to find one, resurrect it and drive it so we can see how it actually worked. Very satisfying video. I had to do some research to see what kind of transmission it initially came with and I found it was an interesting two-belt, tow-centrifugal clutch deal which provided two speeds. I wonder if the CVT adds more speed. Anyway, for the future, I love the idea of replacing the motor with a two cylinder Predator , as long as you don't have to make any severe/irreversible modifications to the original car. I also love the idea of a trip to the beach on it (I know the area where you guys are and it's a decent little road trip for this car).

great stuff guys thanks.

Hey man I just wanted to say I love your guys's content I think the King Midget needs upgraded engine and parts I would absolutely love to see it I love what you guys are doing and encouraging the young to get into stuff like this keep up the great work man y'all stay safe stay blessed

out of all the things you guys have put back on the road this is the kewlest thing yet ...... good job guys.

I have that same engine on a couple of my Wheelhorse Tractors. Those old 12 horse Kohlers run forever!

I love the little melody box. Nice little touch to such a cool car.

Fantastic project! Love the look and engineering of that little beast!

I like the idea of keeping it simple with the predator 670. Parts availability would be key. But keep everything you take off and keep mods and upgrades easily reversible.

Very cool find!

Love it, it's makes me smile big time. Def want to see a road trip

The amount of keys on Ike's keyring is giving me anxiety hahaha. His poor ignitions

Man guys. That thing is awesome. I’d love to see what y’all do to this. A live axle might help

My girlfriends grandfather was Dale Orcutt. He was one of the founders of the King Midget company. They were produced in Athens Ohio from 1946 until around 1970. Dale passed away in 1968.

Y'all come across some of the best and most interesting things. I picked up a 150cc tank motors moped and turned it into a truck-ish. Wish I could find a microcar cause I'd drive it to work

The air filter, assembly and stuff like that on that 12 horse Kohler it looks a lot similar to the old 60s international cubcadet

670 with a nice mid range cam and valve springs, and billet flywheel with a mukuni carb and free flowing filter and exhaust would be a nice bump in power but not too radical and would probably let it ride at highway speeds with ease once you get the brakes working good. I'd probably replace all 4 shocks to be safe too 😅. Could even throw better pushrods and rockers and billet rods in it for more longevity

Great old car. Hope to see more videos on The King Midget. Thank you.

I am glad you guys are taking care of yourselves and your families .

The predator engine sounds like a sweet addition. It is a sweet little ride and well worth the upgrades it needs.

The horn😂

Cool 😎 great work can't wait to see the road trip

Love it. I definitely see a road trip coming up.

You know a 2 stroke snowmobile engine might be fun in it.

Definitely want to see you guys take this on a long adventure. Needs a Harley 883 swap or maybe a snowmobile motor swap.

This was one of my favorite videos on your channel. I have been watching science 2015 keep up the good work:)

I would LOVE to see you build your own King Midget variant. Midget is also a fine name to call a car btw, just not a fine thing to call a person!

I put a Predator 459 in what used to be a golf cart, I had to remodel most of it so while I was at it I built a new frame and fabricated a new body to look like a Model T cab over engine fire truck. The idea is to use it for praides special events E.T.C. It is the right thing to do for dependability. I'm 75 and we had our first gig with it at Christmas. I build out a trailer with sides that look like Santa's Sleigh, we hauled kids around the neighborhood. Then a birthday party for adults we just had a BLAST. Good luck with the King most of the work is done or just needs some love. OH don't forget the cup holders!! Cheers

670 sound like the right idea to keep it on the road. I think it needs some sweet dual exhaust when that happens! Very cool project, guys!

That's such a cool car! Those old Kohlers are the best! By the way the points are external under a cover on the side of the block below the carburetor if you ever need to adjust or clean them.

That thing is awesome. Great job guys

i know this is kind of a classic/collector/rare vehicle. but i say you do a reversible engine swap. looks like theres decent enough space to get something like a motorcycle engine in there without cutting.

It would be awesome with a predator v twin and maybe have it hooked up to a old street bike gearbox. Awesome car guys congrats

Great episode!

Heck ya, It deserves some love and a road trip after!!!! Too cool!!

Anyone who sees this comment I hope you have a awesome day!!!

Thing about EVs that almost everyone ignores is that just producing, recycling and disposing of the lithium based batteries is so filthy you're actually doing better by the environment by having a standard internal combustion powered vehicle. On a side note I've been to Alliance, Ohio with an ex gf took her son to a boy scout event they held there was a lot of fun.

What an amazing place piece of History. Basically a Glorified Golf Cart . I'm sure she's fun to drive. You Guys are THE BEST ! I watch your videos all the time and enjoy them all. I'm glad you 'Rocked the horns' while riding. 😂

YES to the Predator 670! Loving the ideas all around. Keep at it guys.

I'm positive that everyone here would love to see you guys update the drivetrain in this classic mini car! it would be perfect with some power from a 670 and some reliability mods to match. beach cruise machine!! not to mention some kind of audio system with bluetooth connectivity. :) can always use a motorcycle audio amp for people who put stereos on bikes. dont forget the cup holders haha cheers from up north gents lovin the BUILD

Totally agree with an engine upgrade and even some nice mag wheels with a sweet set of tires a paint job and you're in funsville ! Although it does have that jeep look to it, so an off road king midget would be killer too ! I like the idea of keeping it more og though with some upgrades.

I had the same thought about a predator V twin. Keep the original Kohler and go through it to bring it back to a reliable state so you can return the car to stock, but a drivetrain upgrade would be a good idea for any longer road trips. :D

yes to the mini car!!!, please. That was a really cool vid, and I would love to see the upgrades. While a lifted offroad version would be cool if you can secure another midget I personally like the way it is.

Nice little car. Super cool yin's guys found something like that. Take care of it. And keep up the great work

Charles I'm really liking you and ur sense of humor. We could so hang out but I think we'd be laughing more then making KZfaq content 😂😅😂

I give a shout out to you all !!! Good job on the King Midget !!! Good luck on the build , take it to shows when restored. 😊 Kevin Phoenix 40:32

These are really cool! I saw a couple of these 30+ years ago at Carlyle. I really like the 670 twin idea for the engine, the brake master I'd use a motorcycle one oh excuse me 2 side by side. And go-cart or motorcycle shocks. Which I'm pretty sure you have around the shop! Lol 😅😅

Boyz, first of all, congrats on your find,, and second, theres you tube and a facebook page for these. They are very rare. It looks in awesome shape. Take good care of it. If you happen to find another one, lemme know. I’m not trying to tell you your business, but you may wanna consider wrapping the exhaust.

Very cool find I've never seen or heard of one of them 😮

I am so excited for the road trip video

This thing deserves a full makeover. What an awesome find

I now want one of these!

570cc of goodness :). I'd love to do my daily commute in one of those :D. Great work guys!!!

Had a '57 Jacobsen Chief J-100 lawn & garden tractor, that came with a Kohler 7-hp engine. The most amazing thing about it--aside from the rear fenders having a "tail fin" shape--was it used a Delco-Remy 12v starter/generator configuration. Hardest part about servicing it: Setting-up the regulator.

This is awesome!!

Reminds me on a car in Australia called a "Mini Moke" ... great little car for warm weather !

Would love to see you guys bring the "Midget" back to top mechanical operation, good stuff!

I really think you need to construct an air scoop under the seat into the engine bay help cool the engine before that long trip. Also use heat exhaust wrap on the pipe that is under the engine bay to help prevent heat under there.

Oh that sounds awesome!

Very cool!

I for one would love to see you guys restore the king back to his former glory

Love this thing! Would be awesome to see some custom golf cart rims and street tires

I found a perfectly preserved 1951 newspaper in an old barn back in the local swamp and in it there was an ad for "Ford Dump Trucks at 5 cents a pound, Cheaper than Ham!"