MICROCAR NEWS Online

For the third consecutive year Micros on the Monument will return to Downtown Racine Wisconsin on July 24, 2010. Entries and enthusiasm have grown for this event this year promises to be another great show!
see pics of 2009 HERE

The venue for “Micros” is historic Monument Square located near the shore of Lake Michigan in Downtown Racine. The event is open to vintage microcars under 700 cc’s. There is no entry fee or spectator admission charge. Participants are asked to pre-register early, space on the square is limited even when displaying Microcars.

For a registration form and further information
please contact Jim Garbo:
email: kabinenroller@microcar.org
phone 262-497-8610
or log onto www.RacineDowntown.com/microcar.html

Apparently Vintage Microcars are a hit at Auto Shows (after the April 2009 NY Auto Show where we had 4 cars).

The Montreal Auto Show contacted us trying to get some Vintage Microcars for display at their show January 15-24 2010.
They were very insistent about having a Peel P50 in attendance so we hooked them up with Jeff Lane at The Lane Motor Museum.  Mario Palma Jr from the Toronto area also agreed to supply some vehicles and now they will have 8 models for the public to view over the course of the show:

1949 Rolux Baby – Mario Palma Jr.
1956 P.Vallee Chantecler – Mario Palma Jr.
1957 VELAM Isetta – Mario Palma Jr.
1958 FIAT Multipla – Mario Palma Jr.
1959 Frisky cabriolet – Mario Palma Jr.
1965 Peel P50 -Lane Motor Museum
1965 Peel Trident – Lane Motor Museum
1975 Mini Comtessa – Mario Palma Jr.
photos of the cars, but not really the show itself here:
www.SalonAutoMontreal.com/en/microcars/

update: Mario Palma Jr. just sent some photos from the show!

Happy New Year!  Sue and I are happy to announce that we are ready to open registration to MicroSouth 2010!  We’ve gone a bit higher tech this year and have an online registration form, here is the link and password info:

http://tinyurl.com/microsouth/
Password: groovy

For 2010 vehicle participation is being limited to nice original or restored vintage microcars (600cc or less) but we are extending an invitation to a few vintage scooters and scooterists to join us which should be fun!  Once your registration is confirmed you will get more specific info about the host hotel, location and activities as available.

We’ve ordered up perfect weather, have a fantastic venue lined up for Saturday and look forward to seeing each of you very soon!  Until then, Peace, Love & Microcars!

Billy & Sue Paul

April 9th & l0th 2010 marks the 30th Anniversary
of the longest running gathering of small cars in the USA.

Primarily for un-restored and restored Unique Little Cars up to 1500cc.
Club Membership is not required.
In an effort to support the preservation of original un-restored cars, the Host will award a Trophy to the best preserved original car shown. Best of Show Trophies will be decided by registered participants. We need at least 5 pre-registered cars for a “Type” award.

Friday night there will be a cruise and eating adventure.
Saturday will be the day of the show.

Location: Embassy Suites Phoenix North, 2577 W. Greenway Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85023
Located at the Southeast corner of I-17 and Greenway. Cars will be displayed on shaded grass in the Courtyard setting next to a large pool area. To get these special discounted rates, Hotel Reservations and Car Show Pre-registration must be in by March 9th, 2010. (more…)

Bunch of Microcars up for auction over Labor Day Weekend in Auburn IN at
KRUSE AUBURN 2009

The online catalog is not particularly easy to navigate through, but you can get an idea of at least which DAY each car will be auctioned. Plus there the official “catalogue” shows a few more cars than appear on the website, (more…)

photo by Mike Harrell

Mike Harrell’s 1980-era KV won the coveted WORST OF SHOW at this year’s first ConcoursD’Lemons in Montery CA.

The Concours D’Lemons celebrates “The Oddball, Mundane and truly Awful of the Automotive World”

Mike had no idea what “class” was going to be registered in originally, but when he signed up the car he was eligible for:

• Umitigated Gaul, 1970-current
• Oil Burners
• Ass-Engine Sled, Non-Hessian

“I could only dream of winning such special awards as “Most Dangerous” or the doubtless highly coveted “WTF??? Award“ said Mike before the show, “I had a shot at “Most Effluent” but the local emissions facilities will only examine vehicles which are required to be tested under state law and the KV is exempt. Just as well, I suppose.”

What put Mike’s car over the top is its drive system which is “unique” to say the least.

click for larger image

The wheels are free-rolling but driven by a pair of stone cylinders pressing against them. Working much like the capstans in a cassette player, the stone capstan drive looks bizarre and even more bizarre is that it works!

The KV Mini was built in France by the same company that turned out the Rolux and the Solyto, but the market for this car was elderly people who were unable to deal with the formalities of a driver’s test. Power to the rear wheels comes from a mighty 125cc single cylinder 2-stroke motor. Top speed is an alledged 34 mph.

“It’s just an awfully, awful, awful French two-stroke car,” said Alan Galbraith, organizer of the show.

Congratulations Mike!

Jim Rostis hosted the 30th Anniversary Reunion for HMV Freeway Enthusiasts in Plainfield IL.

The Freeway is an American-made Microcar built in Minnesota from 1979 to about 1981.
16 cars showed up from all over, the furthest coming from California and one came from Canada.
more photos HERE

Front Page News!

This years GPNW Microcar Extravaganza was huge fun. It is hard to believe two weeks have passed since the big event. The weather held out for the better, and 48 Micro-Mini cars attended. I want to personally thank everyone for coming and making it happen. This years multi-day event held at the McMenimans Grand Lodge hotel provided an elegant back drop for all the unique little cars, and great fun for the guests who stayed.

The Forest Grove News-Times did an article: Click Here

All the dramatic pictures can be found in the album Here

posted by your Host: Mark Hatten

Micros In Madison 2009 and The National Meet of The Vintage Microcar Club is over.

A bit o’rain did not seem to make any difference, when it rained, people just went under numerous canopies or in the barn and continued until it stopped. The only thing dampened by the rain were the late night campfires.

415 people Registered
96 Microcars Registered (that showed up)
25 smarts of all variety Registered (that showed up)

Winners of People’s Choice awards include:
“smartest”: Sue Shelton of GA
“smartest guy in the room”: Leonard Ingle for his 2002 smart “glider
3rd place Microcar: Kerry & Linda Erendson’s 1965 Scootacar MK II
2nd place Microcar: Burt Richmond’s 1956 Fiat Abarth Zagato Double Bubble coupe
1st place Microcar: Wayne Parrish’s 1956 King Midget III Prototype
Best of Show: Buster Tankersly’s 1949 Bantam

"smartest" (voted 1st place smart class)

3rd Place Microcar Class

2nd place Microcar class

1st Place Microcar class

Best Of Show

Some people have uploaded photos, you can see Flickr sets from Cecil Clontz and TL Spangler
as well as a set from Arnie & Lena Press

a more detailed report in the next print issue of MICROCAR NEWS magazine!

click for larger image

The New York Daily News decided that Vintage Microcars warranted an “above the fold” teaser on the Saturday Edition. A full “story” appeared inside on Page 7.

After this issue hit the newstands people came in through the front door of the Javits Center and went RIGHT to the Peel P50,
usually with kids towing their parents and pointing “There it is! There it is! The World’s Smallest Car!”

click to see larger version