1955 Mini-Ford Half-Scale Replica - Wichita Eagle Article on Jim Winter's Build

This is a framed newspaper clipping from The Wichita Eagle, written by Mike Berry, profiling Jim Winter, a collector and restorer of classic 1955-56 Ford Crown Victorias. The article describes Winter's homebuilt "Mini-Ford," a bright purple and white, all-metal, 9-foot 9-inch-long half-scale replica of a 1955 Ford. The car is built on a Club Car golf cart chassis but retains a genuine cut-down 1955 Ford dashboard, full-sized steering wheel, speedometer, and original dash knobs and bezels. Winter was inspired by a similar car built by friend Bob Haas of Michigan, who along with Curtis Johnson helped rough in the build. The article details the construction: vintage sheet metal, bumpers, and a grille were chopped down; junkyard 13-inch wheels replaced 9-inch ones, raising top speed from 12 to 17 mph; the original 1-cylinder Yamaha engine and single-speed transmission remain. Contributors included Bill Armbrister (white vinyl upholstery), Robbies Hobbies (chrome plating), Lustercraft Plastics (mini wrap-around windshield), and Carl Fry (rewiring, with full working lights and turn signals). The build took 10 months. A photo shows Winter with the mini car. The article references an April 2007 Wheels feature on Winter's Crown Victoria collection.