A Far Too Brief History of King Midget

[@frederickp2740]

I drove a 3 in about 1960 that a guy down the road had. Loud and slow but fun!

[@jeffking4176]

The first time I ever saw a “3”, I was just a kid, but I fell on love. I’ve only actually seen 3 in my life. Still love them. 🚗🙂

[@christophegligic5093]

Great work, John. Your Videos are great. You have fans in France.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Thank you very much!

[@tkskagen]

One of my other favorite Utube Channels (Car's and Camera's), recently purchased one of these, made repairs, and drove theirs to town for dinner. You should watch that episode!

[@ianperkins8812]

Wow. I had never heard of this car, so thank you for doing a "Far Too Brief History" on it. What is not to like about this concept - small, easy to operate, park and maintain, it would work well in an urban environment, Not so sure about more rural areas, unless you don't have to transport more than 1 other person (thinking later models) to church on Sunday or the weekly trip to town. I agree that the company ultimately would not have survived the increase of safety regulations to come (unless there were some exceptions carved out or a staggered scheme, based on size or top speed), but could potentially have had a surge in interest during the oil shocks, only a few years after the company's demise.

[@o8thman812]

Hitchhiking round Australia early 80s got picked up in a Goggomobile Dart micro car. Big smile for 50 miles...

[@LandNfan]

My mother had a ‘57 King Midget, the first year to have electric start. Plywood doors were optional. Fun car! It was great for delivering newspapers.

[@T-41]

Thanks for doing this well put together program it brought back memories- saw a King Midget or two on the road in the 60s and one or two in car shows in the 70s or 80s. While taking a walk in Athens in the late 90s I was delighted to find a King Midget inside the front window of the very small Athens History Museum. Don’t remember seeing another one since.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dastardlydave1455]

I worked with an engineer named Vernon Eads in Ohio in the late ‘90s. I can’t find much on the internet to be certain it is the same guy.

[@patriotsam5721]

Great video jon! I didn’t know these cars even existed!

[@AllCarswithJon]

Thanks!

[@markmccormack635]

​​Just found this channel for the first time never heard of King Midgets card before but they do reminds me of the apmie car's the you mentioned Route's cars group and I sure they were the ones that built them as the years seen to be bout right ​@@AllCarswithJon

[@AllCarswithJon]

@@markmccormack635 Glad you're here!

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

Another well done historical video!!

[@AllCarswithJon]

Thanks again!

[@jimowens381]

I never saw or heard of them. Thanks for the video.

[@TexRenner]

There was a King Midget parked across the street from the school where I attended kindergarten and first grade (1959 - 61). I wanted my dad to get us one, but he didn't. Instead, he bought an old T model Ford.

[@tacoheadmakenzie9311]

When I was in college in the late '70s, one of my professors had a red King Midget. He'd park it on the sidewalk in front of the lecture hall. I attend several automotive swap meets every year, and still see them show up for sale

[@michelecrown2426]

I recently met the man who owns the rights to these cars. He has a shop set up in his home where he makes the sheet metal parts for replacements. Very interesting man.

[@mrgurulittle7000]

Wow, I never knew about this company before. King Midget sounds like a cool car company. It’s a kind of car company I’d love to start.

[@weegeemike]

I'm a car guy and I've never heard of these until this video! Cool content as always Jon

[@flyingmerkel6]

I remember seeing old ladies driving King Midgets around town. Saw one for sale a few years back. Couldn't justify it, but someday

[@frankandstein8618]

Very interesting. Thanks, Jon.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@edminas3159]

Excellent. Thank you Jon

[@AllCarswithJon]

Thanks for listening!

[@RichardWest-t9b]

The last time I was in Athens they had a space set up in the mall that had every model of the King Midget on display including two different scooters. This was about 5 or 6 years ago.

[@stevenleek1254]

Nice job on this entertaining video. I remember these in the years prior to my getting my DL in 68 and wishing I had one!

[@AllCarswithJon]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@angelsone-five7912]

Excellent, as you say - too brief.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Thanks for the "Excellent..." I do my 'far too brief...' series for one reason: There are individuals out there who are deeply invested in their favorites. If I do videos digging in deep on models, I hear quickly if I missed one little thing. But to me the overarching story, or the story-behind-the-story is far more interesting. I want to paint a picture with a broad brush! For this one, there was very little I left out that I could find in my research. For the earlier models, and the scooter, there wasn't much to add. :)

[@billolsen4360]

I remember King Midget advertisements in Motor Trend magazine in the 60s. Assembled or in a kit.

[@TooLooze]

My neighbor had one in the 1950's and used to let us kids drive it around his yard.

[@MillerMeteor74]

I've never seen a King Midget, but I've seen them in magazines and so forth for a long time. I think it would be fun to have one. But there are plenty of old cars I'd love to have.

[@johnnyfreedom3437]

I never realized they existed. And I was 15 the year that they went bankrupt! I would love to have had one of those after I had about three VW Beetles!

[@michaeloreilly657]

The original Model 3 was only built to order. This changed, and Midget were left with unsold stock. Anyone else see the historical parallels?

[@rob1tnt]

Really like that you did a video for King Midget. I've always been interested in these kind of orphan brands and outside of Tucker and Crosley not many get much attention.

[@AllCarswithJon]

I'd like to do some more, but as the brands get more obsure, the amount of history, information, and (importantly) images to use in a video become much, much harder.

[@rob1tnt]

@@AllCarswithJon For sure! Mohs and Playboy would be 2 brands that would be awesome to see....If enough info could be found.

[@AllCarswithJon]

@@rob1tnt LOL. I've had Playboy on my list for a long time. I think that one might get clicks from people who think "wait? Playboy made a car?" :)

[@rob1tnt]

@@AllCarswithJon well Hefner did steal there logo for the magazine.

[@rob1tnt]

@@AllCarswithJon I definitely think Mohs would be an interesting one if you can source enough material. Bruce Mohs did publish a book that among many endeavors tells the story of his cars. I've got the book but it's a Marque I've always been fascinated with. His cars are utterly insane lol.

[@jamesotisjr2322]

6'0, 270. I believe that if I got in, I would break the cars back.

[@michaelbogdanowicz5059]

Never knew all about these cars

[@lawrencelewis2592]

I've read that they weren't really intended for use on public roads but on estates, farms, resorts, ranches and the like.

[@MarlinWilliams-ts5ul]

Ive never seen a King Midget.

[@kennethanway7979]

I could have bought one about thirty years ago, but was too rough to justify.

[@Iowa599]

What other cars used a wooden frame, like the Model 1 King Midget?

[@trackman174]

The last car to have a wooden frame was the British built Morgan.

[@Iowa599]

@@trackman174 it wasn't a wooden chassis, it was a wooden frame. All of the suspension bolted to a steel chassis, as well as a wooden frame that supports the body.

[@trackman174]

@@Iowa599 You’re correct I stand corrected!🤪

[@jamesonpace726]

Coolest, goofyest thang I ever did see, in the best DIY way of mid-century Murca. Amateur/Experimental air craft continue today, although much less popular & much more $$$....

[@cedhome7945]

See cars and cameras, they put a 670v twin lawnmower engine in their no3 then they took a road trip.ive never seen them so scared 😄

[@AllCarswithJon]

I'll check that out!

[@tacoheadmakenzie9311]

A few years ago, I saw one that someone hopped up with a 26 hp V Tec engine out of a modern riding mower.

[@melvinjacobs2328]

Greed always brings failure. They had it made until the investors came in.

[@arthurn9237]

HERE IN FLA. FROM TIME 2 TIME YOU WOULD SEE THE ODD MIDGET HERE IN THERE BUT☝️ CROSLEY THEY WERE PLENTIFUL MY FIRST CAR WAS A 1953 CROSLEY 2 DOOR UNIT WITH A VINAL TOP THAT HAD WHOOPS TO SUPPORT THE TOP AND THE SIDES OF THE CAR WENT ALL THE WAY UP 4CYL ☝️ OVER HEAD CAM MOTOR AND ☝️ AND ☝️ 4 WHEEL HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES NOLESS SOOO MUCH FUN FOR A 16 YEAR OLD'S FIRST CAR

[@bartsimpson6767]

Cool video. I'm sure 60 years later someone would find the name "offensive".😅

[@Marc816]

A toy if ever there was one.

[@froilanvales]

Kiddie Cars!?

[@buzzedalldrink9131]

Due to KZbin policy and political correctness You are going to have revise your video tittle and content to the King Little Car😂