Vehicle Description
1932 Ford Midget Race Car
In the beginning of dirt track racing small numbers of cars would
gather at a horse racing oval. The first dirt race was held in 1876
in Cranston, Rhode Island and was made up of 8 vehicles, most who
were gasoline powered, however the victor was a man named Whiting
who had an electric powered vehicle. After the initial races, dirt
track racing stayed in the background until the 1920s and 1930s,
which is when the sport became much more popular. This form of
racing is the single most common form of auto racing in the United
States. According to the National Speedway Directory there are over
700 dirt oval tracks in operation in the United States.
Drivers start your engines! Because we have in our midst a vintage
1932 Ford Midget race car. Yes it took some fearlessness to drive
this at any speed as it has no roll bar or even seat belts. The
drivetrain runs right through your legs so god forbid if anything
should go awry on this system! Larry Bumpus of Charleston WV, (not
confirmed if this is the neighbor in "A Christmas Story!"), built
this machine and ran it until 1941. In 1947 Bumpus teamed up with
"Smokey" Stover who drove the car until 1955. The car then went
into storage until 1970 where it was picked up and moved to
California and restored by Earl Summers in August of 1971. It sat
on display in an auto toy museum and now currently the car does not
run or have working brakes, so it will need some TLC.
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
Exterior
Chromed bar bumpers in the shape of a football helmet face guard
adorn the front and rear of this car. A large sloping radiator cowl
leads the way and is open for plenty of airflow. Next in line is
the cowled hood strapped on and then the firewall cowl. Here we see
a slightly curved windshield on top, somewhat protecting the driver
from any throwback dirt or otherwise parts from other cars, if not
in the lead. Another taller rear cowl takes over aft of the seat,
frames the seat top and comes to a rounded point on the way back,
looking somewhat like a boat tail. Here is where another football
helmet face guard shaped chrome bar bumper resides. Extra fairings
with venting cover the wide rockers of this car on the lowers. It
is all bathed in powder yellow and sports some patriotic red white
and blue stripes, gold "Steed" lettering and the no. 15 in blue.
The body shows invasive rust and paint peel off where some of the
steering and exhaust mounting parts have been bolted on. Open
suspension in front and 12-inch magnesium wheels are wrapped by
5.50x12 dirt track slightly treaded slicks. Long chrome exhaust
pipes run the length of the car from engine exit to just aft of the
rear wheels. Some of the chromed adornments are pitted and show
some rust.
Interior
Ahhhh the cockpit, where our fearless driver will pilot the car.
Behind and under that small curved front "windscreen" for lack of a
better word, we see a curved to match the firewall shaped aluminum
plate which serves as the dash. It has a trio of primitive gauges
and is fronted by a large bakelite steering wheel with an aluminum
spoked center. The drivers area on either side is covered with
padded black vinyl which also covers the high back bucket seat.
This seat has some tuck and roll and a large headrest area to
protect the neck from all those G's he's gonna get rounding those
curves, sideways. (Turn right to to go left thanks to Doc Hudson!)
The shift lever in between the legs, a handbrake has gone exterior
as has a fuel pump for some extra go juice when in a pinch. Some
wiring is also hanging out here, (not literally), with the other
mechanicals for the steering.
Drivetrain
Under the hood, which flips totally open for easy access to do your
wrenching, sits a Ford 136ci flathead V8. It has Edelbrock heads
and dual 2-barrel carburetors under rounded chrome air cleaners. An
Eddie Meyer Hollywood aluminum intake manifold is under these
carbs. The transmission is a direct drive with an in and out box.
No rust is seen here, just some patina in the ribbed cast
surfaces.
Undercarriage
An open steering linkage arrangement along with some transverse
leaf springs suspension is on front and in back are the same
springs. Mechanical hand braking is on the back only.
Drive-Ability
The car will not start and it is also noted the brakes do not work.
You will need to perform some TLC before you go out and mix it up
on the dirt.
A vintage balls to the wall unprotected, unbelted, dual 2-barrel
carbed racer to dig up some dirt and smoke the competition. A nice
display piece or if you get it running, can take a few pace laps at
one of those 700 dirt tracks throughout the US. Go Speed Racer,
GO!
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
