1968 King Midget Model III Project

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

Out of a combination of a lifelong automotive passion and an unyielding desire to support the people of his Alabama community, the Generous Collection was born. Mr. Greg Rusk, a successful business leader in the cardboard industry, with a big heart for helping families and friends in times of need, would regularly pay overly generous fees to acquire an interesting vehicle. After decades of collecting and supporting local automotive enthusiasts, the Rusk family is ready for these vehicles, each with their own story, to write their next chapter back on the road, where they belong.

The Generous Collection debuts with Part 1 offering over 200 cars in October, all offered without reserve, emerging from years of long-term silent storage. Many additional lots will be offered in the coming months. From the quiet shadows of the Generous Collection to the sunshine of backroads and highways, enthusiasts now have the opportunity to own a piece of a generous car-collecting legacy. 

* * * 

“Make Driving Fun Again.” The 1968 King Midget was one of America's most unique automotive ventures. Produced by Midget Motors Corporation in Athens, Ohio, the King Midget was a microcar designed for simplicity, affordability, and efficiency. Founded in 1946 by Claud Dry and Dale Orcutt, the company began by selling kit cars and later transitioned to fully assembled vehicles. The Model III, introduced in 1957, was the culmination of those efforts — a two-seat convertible with a unit-body frame, hydraulic brakes, and a modest 12-horsepower Kohler engine. 

By the mid-1960s, Dry and Orcutt sold the company to Joseph Stehlin and a group of investors. The new management abandoned the founders’ conservative, build-to-order strategy in favor of aggressive expansion. Production ramped up, but sales did not follow. Inventory piled up, and the company accrued debt. Despite updates like a 12-volt electrical system and more color options, the King Midget struggled to compete with changing consumer tastes and looming federal safety regulations. 

In 1969, Midget Motors filed for bankruptcy. Vernon Eads acquired the assets and attempted a revival with a fiberglass-bodied model called the Commuter, but a factory fire and regulatory hurdles ended the effort. 

According to a display board that accompanies the car, this example is a 1964 model, but the VIN and title suggests it is a ’68. It was previously displayed at the National Automobile & Truck Museum in Auburn, Indiana. 

Highlights 

• Offered from The Generous Collection 

• Two-seat convertible with a steel unit-body finished in Polar White (50) with blue stripes 

• Black canvas convertible top 

• Black vinyl bench seat 

• Single-cylinder, air-cooled Kohler engine producing around 12 hp 

• Simple forward/reverse transmission with a belt drive system 

Features 

• Marketed as the “World’s Most Economical Car” 

• Hydraulic drum brakes on all four wheels 

• 12-volt electrical system 

• 60-mph speedometer with amperes gauge 

• Goodyear 5.70/5.00-8 tires in front, Firestone Traction Turf & Garden 18x8.50-8 tires in rear 

• Extremely economical, often achieving over 50 mpg 

Known Imperfections 

• While reasonable efforts were made during preparation for the sale, due to the volume of cars in this collection it was not possible to diagnose or detect all imperfections present in the cars. 

• Non-running engine

• Paint chips and scuffs 

• Floor mat is stained 

Included 

• Show placard 

Ownership History

This 1968 King Midget Model III is offered from The Generous Collection of no reserve automobiles. 

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.  

Contact: Matt Lowney   Phone: 623.308.2640   email: mlowney@hagerty.com  

Alabama Sales Tax Notice to Bidders: Because this car is located in Alabama, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama state sales taxes of up to 2% of the purchase amount, even if the buyer plans to register the car outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer is located in AZ, CA, FL, IN, MA, MI, or SC (capped at $500 in SC), and (b) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives the car or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer). Additionally, the selling dealer may be required to collect and remit Alabama county or city taxes from buyers located outside of Alabama, if (a) the buyer does not transport the car out of Alabama using a common carrier (e.g., if the buyer drives or transports the car out of Alabama on a personal trailer), and (b) the buyer fails to provide an executed Drive-Out Certificate for Nonresidents. For additional information, please consult this publication and your own tax advisor regarding sales taxes applicable to cars located in Alabama that are sold to residents of another state.  

Please note that all lots in The Generous Collection are offered after many years of storage, without operation or service, in warehouse facilities. The seller endeavored to provide limited mechanical servicing to bring some cars back to running potential, however, not all cars will be running at time of sale. Because of the extended static display, it must be assumed that all cars will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely and, in most cases, cleaning to both the interiors and exteriors. All the cars will have imperfections associated with long-term static storage and require extensive sorting to perform best and safely. The burden of determining a car’s status, both mechanical and cosmetic, rests fully on the bidder, prior to bidding and the close of the auction. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

Additionally, due to the location of the collection and limited access to the facility following the close of the auction, all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Monday, November 3 through Wednesday, November 19. No cars can be retrieved prior to November 3 and any lots remaining after November 19 will be re-located outside in the parking lot for retrieval by their buyers.