Midget Race Car
Midget Race Car
Midget Race Car
Midget Race Car
Midget Race Car
Midget Race Car
Midget Race Car

History

This beautiful midget roadster is one of only 2 roadsters that were built by Merle Van Steenwyk, this one for Doug Craig, who successfully campaigned it in Indiana and throughout the East Coast from 1974 through 1980. Merle learned his craft from the likes of Frank Kurtis, George Shilala and Carrol Shelby.

Due to the low center of gravity, the roadster design is normally only raced on pavement tracks. However one of Craig's biggest wins came on the 1/2 mile dirt track at Williams Grove Raceway in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

The car was traded for a stock car in 1980 and its' whereabouts is unknown until Fred Gearhardt purchased it from someone in Ohio in the mid 1990's. From there, it passed through to Dave Masterman and finally to Dick Woodland.

The car had such beautiful lines that Woodland had it restored by Steve Bonesteel of Fresno, California, to a miniature likeness of Parnelli Jones "Old Calhoun" Indianapolis winning roadster.

1974 Van Steenwyk Midget

  • Year Built: 1974
  • Vehicle Type: Midget
  • Built By: Merle Van Steenwyk (Van's Metal Craft)
  • Suspension: 4 Bar (Cross Torsion Bars Front and Rear)
  • Engine: Currently fitted with a Chevy II 4 cylinder, Block, Ansen cross-flow head designed for fuel injection and methanol fuel
  • Owner:Estrella Warbirds Museum