1938 Gilmore Midget Racer

Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Chassis No: T.B.A.
Mot Expiry: N/A

Automobile racing in various forms became hugely popular in North American between the wars, with the American Sports Car Club hosting a huge number of meetings. The origins of racing in the US began before WW1, however, with relatively simplistic dirt track speedway racing. A variety of cars were utilised, all evolving at a prodigious rate in the light of fierce competition.

One of the most successful and respected of these race-car constructors and entrants was Earl B Gilmore, an oil tycoon and passionate racing enthusiast. Indeed, his love of the sport was such that he even had a racing circuit constructed close to his Hollywood residence on Beverley Boulevard.

The single seater racer being auctioned here today is not only a genuine Gilmore, but one of the most developed and successful Midget racers that Gilmore himself sponsored during the 1930s. The car is still powered by an Indian motorcycle motor, a well-proven 4-cylinder power unit, Indians being extensively employed during the inter-war years to power small boats and light aircraft as well as a variety of cars. In receipt of much development work over many years, the 1.3-litre sized Indian four in a light and strictly functional vehicle like this Gilmore results in strong performance.

Having been painstakingly restored to original specification and well preserved, though static during residency in a collection in recent years, this authentic Midget racer should respond well to some gentle recommissioning before embarking on some serious and likely to be extremely entertaining on-track exercise.

PLEASE NOTE: We have not had this vehicle running.