Midget Racers back in the 50's

These shots are from a collection of photo's of Albuquerque dirt track racing, Joe Sherwood put together to keep the memories alive for years to come. <!-- / message -->

 

Midgets were the craze in the years after the war in the late 40's.

 

Great history. Great thread here.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=405731&highlight=eastern+museum+of+motor+racing

Slim

 

The Blu-green car as pictured has a Van Blerck 4 cylinder single overhead cam engine built for marine use on the East coast in the late 20's I believe.

It was for sale a year or so ago up in this area.

 

Pictures of Island Gardens are RARE!!!

THANKS!!!!

 

I see Bruno's 71 in one shot that's in my garage................www.weissglassspeedway.com

 

[SIZE=+0]A Heads Up...[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=+0]The indoor midget races New Years Eve and New Years Day at Fort Wayne are available from this website on an inexpensive Pay Per View.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+0] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+0]Apparently it comes through your computer. [/SIZE][SIZE=+0] [/SIZE]

There is a free demo tonite.

[SIZE=+0]http://www.racesontheweb.com/[/SIZE]

 

My brother owns these three cars. The white on has a Ford V8-60, the blue one has an Elto, and I believe the one under construction has a Chevy banger. That last on may actually be a sprint car; I haven't seen it in person.

 

Your brother has three nice pieces.

The Elto looks to be a very complete and authentic car from the photo.

The V8-60 appears to be possibly a home brew done nicely and with the head rest possibly added later although the first ones did appear on midgets in 1936 on a Clyde Adams built car I believe.

The big car under construction (restoration?) does appear to have possibly a 20's era Chevy Banger. It has been quite a while since I have seen anyone running an old Chev in Midwestern Vintage Racing.

Can you tell us any history of any or all of the three cars?

 

This was back on post #33, anyone have one they would part with? Happy New Year! Bob

 

This was my Dad in his home built midget, 1952.

For those that might have missed it, there is a vintage cageless midget thread:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=337192

Heaps of great info & pics from 30's to late 60's.

 

On the lighter side.

COMMENTS?

 

Hello, Is this the only midget thread on this sight? well I haven’t put up any photos on this. I was not around in the 50’s. But I wish I was!!! A little before my time. I grew up going to Joliet stadium And other local tracks. I don’t know if I put these up some where else but here is A couple.

 

Moe ..

The Vintage Cageless Midget thread is more active.

 

I just bought this vintage midget I think it’s a kurtis Kraft I would like to know if anyone special drove it and if it’s worth restoring its mostly there but the drive shaft and body and seat

 

Gilmer, Welcome to the HAMB, knowing where you are and where the car may have run will be a big help getting info on it. Did it die in someone's back yard? Good luck with the rebuild. Bob

 

We have a local guy that owns at least a dozen midgets and has a lot of things to go with them. One was driven by Doug Wolfgang at some point.

 

We don’t call them midgets any more. They are now called little people.

 

That last one is a 1/4 midget.