Pre-War Continental Midget

Most pre-war midgets were unique, and this car is certainly that.  It is powered by a 140 cubic inch inline four cylinder engine.  The engine was manufactured by the Continental Motor Company as a stationary power plant.  The engine is linked to the rear axle via an “in-and-out” box, similar.  This is not a transmission as we think of it, there is no clutch, and no “gears.”  The box is either “IN”–engine directly connected to the driveshaft, or “OUT”—disconnected, otherwise known as neutral.  The car has no starter, so the only way to get it running is by using a push-truck.  To start the car, the push truck must be used to get the car moving while the In-and-Out box is engaged—similar to bump starting a car, but without a clutch.  Once the car is brought up to a sufficient speed using the push truck, the ignition can be switched on and the car will run under its own power.  Once under way, the only way to stop the car is to put the In-and-Out box into neutral or shut off the ignition.  To get going again, the whole process must be repeated. The history of this particular midget is not known.

The owner of this car has been a long time petroliana and pre-war car collector.  When he came across this midget at auction, he already owned the Model A truck in Gilmore Oil livery.  He saw the same livery on the midget and knew the two vehicles belonged together.  He added a push-bar to the front of the Model A so that it could double as a push-truck.  Mid-Century Motors was tasked with getting the midget running again.  It is thought that the car last ran in the 60’s or 70’s, but nothing is certain.  After rebuilding the carburetor and the magneto, the car started without too much drama.  The car was taken to the local dirt track to be filmed driving for its upcoming auction. Everything functioned as intended.  Mid-Century Motors client has since sold the car.  You may have seen it cross the block at the 2017 Scottsdale auctions.