[h=2]Hiram Hillegass began building race cars in 1919 while working at Mack in Allentown, Pennsylvania. By the time he died in 1960, at the age of 65, he was recognized as one of the foremost builders of single seat race cars in the United States. Following the war, both car builders and racers looked for an alternative to the recycled production car frames that had been the basis of many pre-war cars. Many of these individuals had worked in the aircraft and defense industries during the war, and brought from it some lessons. Car builders began to use large diameter, high strength steel tubing for frame rails. Rigid, rugged, and straight forward to build and repair, these tube frames caught on quickly. Hillegass quickly realized the practicality of frames made from lightweight, strong tubing, and quickly developed his own design which he offered as a chassis and body package for $925. The buyer had to provide their own engine and driveline. The first three tube frame Hillegass sprint cars were built in 1949. Three more were built in 1950. This Midget has received a recent full restoration by Stoinoff's Restorations in Indiana and is equipped with a modified 136 CI 17-bolt flathead V8-60 that Ford produced from 1937 to 1940. These engines were extremely popular for this application as there was a full complement of speed equipment available. Properly modified and running on nitro, these engines offered a less expensive alternative to top post-war midget racers than the 100 Offy of the same era. A direct drive In, Out box transfers the power from the engine to the pavement. This example features dual Stromberg carburetors, knock off Weld Wheels and Firestone tires. Safety harness by Racing Components Inc.[/h]