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Post by ezwalk43 on Jan 2, 2012 9:37:04 GMT 1
Nice looking V8-60 midget booked in for the Coys auction at the Autosport International show in January - no reserve so maybe worth a visit!
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Post by kiwikid34 on Jan 2, 2012 10:38:05 GMT 1
Nice looking V8-60 midget booked in for the Coys auction at the Autosport International show in January - no reserve so maybe worth a visit! That looks interesting. Any scan available from the auction brochure please?
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Post by kiwikid34 on Jan 2, 2012 10:41:47 GMT 1
Okay - I found it! Clever old me. Go to www.coys.co.uk/auction.php?itemID=1300&auctionID=19The brochure says this about the car: Estimate: £15,000 - £20,000 Registration Number: EU Taxes Paid Chassis Number: TBA In the 1930s and 1940s America was gripped by a new kind of motorsport – midget racing. Modelled on the larger cars that raced at Indianapolis, midget racers competed across the country on tracks in football and baseball stadia, at county fairs, on purpose built quarter-mile ovals and even on rough tracks carved out of cornfields. For nearly two decades midget racing took place seven nights a week and twice a day on weekends. Most racing organisations set engine capacity limits between 100 and 140 cubic inches limiting the choice of passenger car engines for constructors so most early midgets were powered by outboard motors or motorcycle engines. In 1934 Fred Offenhauser created a powerful four-cylinder, 98-cubic-inch midget engine based on the famous Miller racing engine and “Offys” quickly became dominant in midget racing - though not all could afford them. In 1937 Ford launched a 136 cubic inch, 60 horsepower V8 engine intended as a more economical alternative to their larger flathead V8 engine. At last there was an alternative for cash strapped midget racers that could challenge the dominance of the 'Offy' and V8-60s remained successful in competition into the 1950's. The first midget racers were constructed at home by enthusiastic young men however as the sport grew in popularity more professional constructors were called upon. One such constructor was Joe Silnes, a Norwegian born artisan who applied his craftsmanship to everything from midget racers to indy cars. Probably the best known product of his Indianapolis workshop was the legendary, “Basement Bessie” Indianapolis/Championship car of Paul Russo and Ray Nichels. In 1990 a complete midget body and frame were discovered that had been built by Silnes around the time of the Second World War. A collector in Minnesota purchased them and commissioned Duane Nelson, Denny Wagner and Pat Mandel to construct a finished midget racer using only period correct parts. Rick Schell provided the V8-60 racing flathead with an Edelbrock intake manifold and high compression cylinder heads breathing through dual Stromberg 81 carburettors. The aluminium bodywork was given a high quality black paint finish with period style race lettering and the seat was finished in black leather. All brightwork was either polished aluminium or chrome plate. The cockpit was finished with Stewart-Warner gauges and a Bell steering wheel. Suspension is by transverse leaf springs and the brakes are Bell drums at the rear. Still in show condition, this beautiful midget racer would make a wonderful addition to any collection of American race cars.
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Post by youtubefiend on Jan 2, 2012 13:13:32 GMT 1
There's some interesting sales chat given about this midget - nothing about how it comes to be in Britain. Does any site member have ideas about its UK background - has it run as a hill-climber I wonder?
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Post by administrator on Jan 3, 2012 0:08:33 GMT 1
FROM THE USA RACING HISTORY SITE::: ::::::: --- In RacingHistory@yahoogroups.com, "mmciau" <mmciau@...> wrote: > Does it have single magneto or 2 off 4 pole Magneto driven off cam cover? Does it have Offenhauser heads and 2 off Stromberg 87 Carburettors? Mike McInerney Marion, South Australia
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Post by administrator on Jan 3, 2012 0:12:28 GMT 1
FROM THE USA RACING HISTORY SITE::: :::::: --- In RacingHistory@yahoogroups.com, hugh nutting <g2pglass@...> wrote: The carbs for a 60hp should be Stromberg 81s. Hugh Nutting Kalispell MT USA
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Post by administrator on Jan 3, 2012 12:28:17 GMT 1
FROM THE USA RACING HISTORY SITE::::: ::::::::::::
--- In RacingHistory@yahoogroups.com, "mmciau" <mmciau@...> wrote: Does it have single magneto or 2 off 4 pole Magneto driven off cam cover? Does it have Offenhauser heads and 2 off Stromberg 87 Carburettors? Mike McInerney Marion, South Australia
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Post by administrator on Jan 5, 2012 1:01:09 GMT 1
FROM THE USA RACING HISTORY SITE::: ::::::::::: --- In RacingHistory@yahoogroups.com, David Ayers <dayers75@...> wrote: > I believe the email address below could be helpful. I'm pretty sure it's the "Ryan, Buffalo, MN" that is painted on the car. His name is Bob, he has been extremely helpful to me and I'm sure he'd be glad to provide any info you need about the car. BOBRYAN@...
David Ayers Apple Valley, Minnesota
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Post by ezwalk43 on Jan 5, 2012 1:27:09 GMT 1
First saw this car on a sales site a few months back I seem to remember being advertised by an American import company up north. From the description its been built more as a show car than race and doesn't seem to have done a lot of serious vintage racing - look great in the corner of your office, studio, den, whatever..
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Post by administrator on Jan 5, 2012 9:53:50 GMT 1
FROM THE USA RACING HISTORY SITE::: ::::::::::: --- In RacingHistory@yahoogroups.com, David Ayers <dayers75@...> wrote: > I believe the email address below could be helpful. I'm pretty sure it's the "Ryan, Buffalo, MN" that is painted on the car. His name is Bob, he has been extremely helpful to me and I'm sure he'd be glad to provide any info you need about the car. BOBRYAN@... David Ayers Apple Valley, Minnesota rom: David Ayers <dayers75@yahoo.com> To: "speedstox12@yahoo.com" <speedstox12@yahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, 5 January 2012, 1:27 Subject: V8-60 midget info Hi John, Not sure why the email isn't fully showing up but his email is BOBRYAN@bwig.net He has a long history in the vintage racing car field and I'm sure he is the one who previously restored this car. Hope this helps. David Ayers Apple Valley, MN
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Post by lostintimeyouknow on Jan 5, 2012 16:32:11 GMT 1
The Midget consigned to the auction was built by a group of individuals here in Minnesota. We sold it at Hershey RM Auction in 2010. Any questions.......bobryan@bwig.net. It is an outstanding Midget. It was built on a limitless budget over a period of 2 years.....my Dad and I ran IMCA Oldtimers together for 10 years, when he died, I sold my Midget and his.
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Post by administrator on Jan 5, 2012 16:45:06 GMT 1
The 1946 V8-60 Midget. Attachments:
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Post by administrator on Jan 5, 2012 18:09:11 GMT 1
The 1946 V8-60 Midget. proboards support system advise that there is a problem with their system. They hope to have the system active again by the end of the day.
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Post by administrator on Jan 5, 2012 23:48:56 GMT 1
The 1946 V8-60 Midget. proboards support system advise that there is a problem with their system. They hope to have the system active again by the end of the day. As can now be seen, proboards have solved the image problems and the midget under discussion is now there in all its glory!
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Post by kiwikid34 on Jan 6, 2012 0:12:35 GMT 1
The Midget consigned to the auction was built by a group of individuals here in Minnesota. We sold it at Hershey RM Auction in 2010. Any questions.......bobryan@bwig.net. It is an outstanding Midget. It was built on a limitless budget over a period of 2 years.....my Dad and I ran IMCA Oldtimers together for 10 years, when he died, I sold my Midget and his. Is the auctioneer Coys information accurate? Is the car from 1946? Has it ever raced or just been a showpiece item? How did it get to the UK?
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