1987 Rich Vogler Midget Racer

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Huntsville, Alabama — or “Rocket City,” as we know it — is home to NASA rocket-propulsion research and development. This special offering is once again a presentation of the unique, with American Muscle, British class, heavy post war iron, and race cars from multiple platforms all on offer. These cars are ready for blastoff, and all will be launched to new homes and garages as all lots are presented with NO RESERVE.   

* * *     They called him “Rapid Rich,” and he always lived up to his reputation. Rich Vogler (1950–1990), was a legendary American midget and sprint car driver from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, who won a record 170 USAC-sanctioned races, including five USAC National Midget titles and two Sprint Car championships. Vogler also competed in five Indianapolis 500s, with a best finish of eighth in 1989. Revered for his fearless driving and sportsmanship, he won the inaugural Chili Bowl in 1987 and numerous prestigious events like the Hut Hundred and Copper Classic. 

This Rich Vogler midget is believed to have been campaigned in the 1987 season — on the fuel tank there are stickers for Vogler’s 1978, 1980, 1983, and 1986 USAC Midget Championships but not his 1988 crown. It also features the number 1 in honor of Vogler’s ’86 championship, not his usual number 74. Regulations allow midget racers to utilize many different engines, but under the C&C Fiberglass hood of this Vogler midget is the premiere powerplant of its era, the 2.0-liter Cosworth-Ford four-cylinder, twin-cam originally designed for rally and Formula 2 racing. At over $20,000 new in 1987, this engine was beyond the means of most midget racers, but not for someone seeking his fifth championship. The chassis is possibly an Edmunds Design built by Rich and his father Don Vogler, similar to his 1988 championship winning car. This midget is presented in as-raced condition and appears to be mostly complete. 

He was just a week shy of his 40th birthday when he perished in a Sprint Car crash at Salem Speedway in Indiana in July 1990 — and this race worn midget stands as a testament to the great “Rapid Rich” Vogler. 

Highlights 

• Offered from The Rocket City Collection 

• Presented in as-raced condition  

• Appears to be mostly complete 

• 2.0-liter Cosworth-Ford DOHC four-cylinder engine that was rated at over 300 hp 

• Complete direct-drive drivetrain with in/out box and quick-change rear axle 

• Possibly an Edmunds Design chassis built by the Voglers 

• Four-wheel torsion bar suspension configured for dirt track racing 

• C&C Fiberglass hood 

• Hoosier dirt track tires on 13-inch Weld Racing wheels 

Features 

• Rich Vogler’s racing accomplishments include: 

  • 171 Career USAC wins, 95 Midget, 35 Sprint, and 4 Silver Crown wins including many regional events. Rich's 171st win was the night he died at Salem in a white flag lap crash 

  • First to win both USAC Midget and Sprint Car Championships in one season (1980) 

  • USAC Sprint Champion in 1980 and 1989 

  • USAC Midget Champion in 1978, 1980, 1983, 1986, and 1988 

  • Two-time Indianapolis Speedrome Midget Champion (1984 and 1985) 

  • NAMAR Midget Champion in 1973 

  • Won more than 200 “outlaw” midget circuit features. 

  • Competed the Indianapolis 500 five straight years from 1985-1989; best finish (8th) in ’89 

  • Placed in the top three of the Silver Crown series three times 

  • Won the “Hut Hundred” eight times 

  • Won the “4-Crown Nationals” midget event four times 

  • Won the “Hoosier Dome Invitational” two times 

  • Won the “Copper Classic” two times 

  • Won the “Night Before the 500” 

  • Won the WWRA Florida Winter Nationals in 1983 

  • Won the inaugural Chili Bowl Midget Nationals race in 1987  

  • Posthumously inducted into the Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1992 

  • Posthumously inducted into Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2010 

Known Imperfections 

• Offered in race-worn condition with all the scars and dirt of competition 

• Fuel-injection system missing 

• Condition of engine and driveline is unknown 

• Some surface rust on rear end nerf bars 

• Top right of seat is torn and is missing some padding 

• Rear right-side tire is flat and the tube nipple is inside the tire 

Included 

• Spare set of tires and wheels 

• Assorted spares 

Ownership History 

This 1987 Rich Vogler Cosworth-Ford Midget, one of many collector cars that make up the ever-evolving Rocket City Collection, is offered from an established Alabama car enthusiast who enjoys the pursuit and trade of great cars in equal measure to the curation of the same.  

Additional Notes 

Sold on Bill of Sale only  

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: Ramsey Potts   Phone: 912.508.4096   email: rpotts@hagerty.com