Marysville man’s kit cars save a bit of the past

B arry Hilbert of Marysville says he is lost in 1959.

Looking around his museum-style home, I saw why.

There are old Philco TVs, Popular Science magazines from the 1940s and ’50s, a movie projector, pictures of his 1959 Thunderbird convertible, and a Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon book.

The back bedroom is dedicated to a fantastic model railroad layout with teensy Breck shampoo billboards. I used Breck back when I had a ducktail haircut.

Michael O’Leary / The Herald

Barry Hilbert of Marysville owns two King Midgets, kit cars made popular through advertisements in Popular Science magazines.

Born in 1950, I share Hilbert’s fascination for the era. We reminisced about Hula Hoops and Ed “Kookie” Burns from the TV show “77 Sunset Strip.” Actor Efrem Zimbalist Jr. drove a 1959 T-Bird in Hawaii.

Hilbert, 62, still has a Bell and Howell camera he won in a Kellogg’s contest and took to Disneyland in 1959.

While attending Riverside High School in Ramona, Calif., Hilbert saw his dream car.

“The student parking lot looked like ‘American Graffiti,’” Hilbert said. “Right in the center row would sit a King Midget II. Little ads in my dad’s Popular Science and Mechanic’s Illustrated magazines got me to send 25 cents for the catalogue to buy the Model III.”

The collector still has the catalogue.

“I rode a bike,” Hilbert said. “That’s how cool I was. The car cost $680. I made a dollar a week cutting lawns.”

When his stash grew enough by 1961, he stepped up from two wheels into a 1930 Ford Model A Coupe. After the Army and college, he started buying cars, including two 1959 Ford Skyliners, a 1959 Continental Marc IV convertible and the ‘59 T-Bird.

According to the King Midget Car Club, the cars were billed as both the “World’s Number One Fun Car” and “World’s Most Exciting Small Car.”

In 1946, Claud Dry and Dale Orcutt, who met while both were Civil Air Patrol pilots during World War II, designed the King Midget as an inexpensive car that anyone could buy. The single passenger kit car contained the frame, axles, springs, steering mechanism, patterns for the sheet metal and an assembly book.

In the late 1940s through 1951, you could buy an assembled model with a 6 horsepower engine.

By 1951, for $500, buyers could get the second model, a two passenger convertible, powered by the 7.5 horsepower engine. It had a black three-spoke steering wheel, brown plastic seat upholstery, no speedometer and no reverse, but that could all be modified with options.

In 1991, still without a Midget, Hilbert saw an advertisement for one in Bremerton.

“By land, and ferry boat, I got to his home by a lake,” Hilbert said. “It was a clear fall day, and there sat a 1967 red and black top with 9,500 miles. He wanted $2,900, top dollar at the time, and we worked a trade for my excellent 1962 Ford Galaxy.”

The 1967 Midget has the original Goodyear tires. He got his white 1965 Midget about six years ago.

“On nice days I love letting people discover this special car,” Hilbert said. “The key is a presentation folder I carry with blow-ups of the ads, articles and photos from the catalogues. This really lets people understand the Kings.”

On an outing, an elderly couple admired his car.

“The man said he had sent for the King catalogue in the ’50s while in high school, but had never seen one until mine. We talked about an hour, and as he walked away he turned and said ‘Thank you for having it here for me to finally see.’ I could almost see a tear.”

Hilbert has shown the cars at shows. One time he used the Continental to drive Sen. Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson in an Everett parade. He also drove singer Teresa Brewer (“Til I Waltz Again With You”) in the T-Bird in a Lilac Festival Parade in Spokane.

There are no records to indicate how many King Midgets were made or how many grace garages today.

Hilbert said he loves the 1950s post-war optimism from that decade when the country was hot for new products. He carefully preserved his share of the goods, including his precious autos.

“Having restored and shown cars since 1961, Kings since 1992, I understand the value of originality,” Hilbert said. “The appeal is in the way it was built and preserved.”

If you are lucky enough to see Hilbert tooling around in his favorite King Midget, you might get a surprise. The car is so small he can wave out both windows at the same time.

Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.