We Bought a 60s Microcar with a Controversial Name... Will it Return to the Road After 22 Years??

Micro cars were a big deal in the 1950s and 1960s due to the high price of new and used cars, and this 12HP Kohler microcar is one of the quirky, rare survivors of that era. These old micro cars are desirable these days because they're golf cart sized cars that are treated just like regular cars in the eyes of the law! That means they can be driven on public roads at highway speeds. Behold, the 1969 King Midget. The King Midget, built by Midget Motors in Ohio was built from 1949 to 1969. They produced about 5,000 units, and 1,000 are believed to be left in existence. We picked one up that has been off the road since 2001, and in today's video, we're going to get it running and driving again!
Thanks for Watching!
Facebook: goo.gl/VR6mh2
Instagram: goo.gl/PqOIo3
Go Power Sports: bit.ly/3QKyODE
Get $100 off any Langmuir Systems Crossfire CNC plasma table using this link, or use code CARSANDCAMERAS at checkout: store.langmuirsystems.com/disc...
Join the CarsandCameras Pit Crew: / @carsandcameras
Subscribe to our PODCAST channel: / @atthewheelwithcarsand...
NEW MERCH: www.cars-cameras.com/
Equipment we use: www.amazon.com/shop/carsandca...
The following video features activities performed in controlled environments by knowledgeable persons. DO NOT attempt to duplicate, re-create, or perform the same or similar activities at home, as personal injury or property damage may result. CARS AND CAMERAS, the persons shown in this video and ANY CONTRIBUTOR, ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY such injury or damage. ALL CARSANDCAMERAS CONTENT IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.
Cars and Cameras makes no representation about the sufficiency of any safety precautions and equipment used in this video.

[@CarsandCameras]

Micro car road trip!!

[@waynestore67]

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

[@robertfriedrichsen6273]

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!

[@xtepoc1622]

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!

[@wilsonkj]

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 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@lewismocaby3646]

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.

[@klc3478]

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!

[@Wolfy2597]

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

[@amazing_bobson]

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.

[@BC-kx5zb]

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.

[@hippieassassin1902]

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.

[@Scott-ms3ug]

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

[@Lively_1185]

17:00

[@thomasheer825]

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.

[@Subarude-zr5qf]

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!

[@earlsworkshop]

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.

[@dieseldemon8562]

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.

[@0guiteo]

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.

[@nancyschisler2940]

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.

[@GratefulEd907]

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