The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Ernie Adams helped turn a motorcycle-racing idea into a new kind of oval-track car: a hand-built, steel-bodied miniature of a classic coupe. In December 1979 and early 1980, Adams and Daren Schmaltz built the first two dwarf race cars, a 1934 Ford and a 1933 Dodge, each with a 73-inch wheelbase and a motorcycle engine.
Who was Ernie Adams?
Adams was a maker who built miniature replicas of classic cars by hand. A 2013 Make: profile by Michael Colombo describes him sourcing much of his material from scrap, shaping scrap steel into bodies, and making his own dies and machining tools. The feature says his cars were usually 46 inches high; that is a description of his broader practice, not proof that every car had precisely the same dimensions.
Adams later opened the Dwarf Car Museum in Maricopa, Arizona. Colombo’s 2013 feature reported seven cars on display then, and said many were street legal. That count is a dated snapshot, not a current inventory; the article does not establish current hours, admission, visitor policies, or the legal status of individual cars. Read the Make: feature.
How did dwarf cars start?
Dwarf Car Promotions’ official history traces the idea to Adams and Schmaltz attending motorcycle side-hack races in Phoenix. On the drive home, Adams proposed adding a fourth wheel to improve cornering over a three-wheeled racer and giving the vehicle a car body to make it more appealing to spectators. They also thought an oval track would let spectators follow more of the race at once.
#1 Best Overall
- 1/24 scale model
- Diecast metal body with plastic parts
- Packaging: Original factory window retail box
- 1/24 scale diecast car with metal body and plastic parts, opening engine compartment and full function steering by Bburago.
- Full function steering
The history attributes this response to Schmaltz: “If you build one, I’ll build one.” The site presents it as dialogue in its account of the origin, not as a separately verified interview transcript. It dates the first builds to December 1979 and early 1980. Dwarf Car Promotions’ history provides the origin account.
What were the first two cars like?
Adams chose a 1934 Ford coupe body style, while Schmaltz chose a 1933 Dodge coupe. The official history gives both cars an all-steel construction, a 73-inch wheelbase, and a height of 46 inches. Their engines differed:
Rank #2
- Constructed from TIG and MIG welded .100" thick 5052 grade aluminum
- Seat comes with bolt on rib braces and a welded interior head rest plate for additional strength
- An offset aluminum extrusion is added around the perimeter of the seat for added strength and safety
- The unique bottom design allows seat to be mounted in multiple layback angles without raising center of gravity in the race car
- It is designed for street stocks, IMCA modifieds, limited late models, mini modifieds, dwarf cars, legends or any entry level division
| Builder and car | Engine | Build status in the history |
|---|---|---|
| Ernie Adams, 1934 Ford coupe | 350cc Honda motorcycle engine | Ready for a trial road test within a month |
| Daren Schmaltz, 1933 Dodge coupe | Kawasaki 350cc, three-cylinder, two-stroke motorcycle engine | Halfway complete when Adams’s Ford was ready for its road test |
The shared dimensions and construction details come from the organization’s historical account; the sources do not provide measured speed, handling, or reliability results, so they do not support a performance comparison between the cars.
What classic cars did Adams recreate?
The Dwarf Car Promotions collection page, titled “Dwarf Car Cruisers,” names examples including Grandpa Dwarf (1928), Ford Hillbilly (1929), Ford Sedan (1934), Chevy Sedan (1939), Mercury Coupe (1940), Ford Convertible (1942), Mercury (1949), and Chevy Bel Air (1954). These show the range of classic-car forms represented on the page; they should not be read as a complete or guaranteed current museum inventory. See the Dwarf Car Cruisers collection.
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Rank #3
- Scale: 1/64
- Model: Mustang Mach 1 Race Red 1971
- Material: metal
- Model building collectible in miniature, highly detailed, assembled and painted
- Manufacturer: Truescale Miniatures
Books and films about Adams
The official Dwarf Car Promotions store lists physical items related to Adams, including “DVD – Ernie Adams Documentary,” “DVD – Ernie Builds A Dwarf,” and the book Break Time at Ernie’s, alongside apparel and other memorabilia. The store listing establishes that these products are listed there, but availability and displayed prices can change. Check the official store listing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Constructed from TIG and MIG welded .100" thick 5052 grade aluminum
- It comes with bolt on rib braces and a welded interior head rest plate for additional strength
- Offset aluminum extrusion is added around the perimeter of the seat for extra strength and safety
- A unique bottom design allows seat to be mounted in multiple layback angles without raising center of gravity in the race car
- Seat is designed for street stocks, IMCA modifieds, limited late models, mini modifieds, dwarf cars, legends or any entry level division
Rank #4
- AUTHENTIC DESIGN: Meticulously detailed 1:38 scale die-cast metal model of the 2016 Pagani Huayra BC supercar with stunning metallic finish and precise exterior details
- INTERACTIVE FEATURES: Working doors that open and close plus pull-back motor mechanism allows the car to zoom across smooth surfaces
- PREMIUM CONSTRUCTION: Built with durable die-cast metal body, rubber tires, and detailed plastic components for lasting quality and play value
- PERFECT DISPLAY SIZE: Compact 5-inch length makes it ideal for collectors while maintaining impressive detail and proportion
- QUALITY MATERIALS: Manufactured using safe, high-grade materials suitable for ages 3 and up, combining durability with authentic styling
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
