Category: Vintage Racing Advertising

From the definitive source on the scaled Formula 1 cars for kids, Jomoro & Lystonia comes this astoundingly perfect brochure (and transcription!) for the Jaromo “Mighty Microbe”. Click on over for more articles, photos, cars for sale and an owner’s registry. These things are no joke. I’d like to be able to order even just the optional extras for my kid.
The Mighty Microbe
Worlds first formula 1 grand prix car for kids
The dreams of youth for glory at the wheel of a low-slung, fast-handling, hard-charging racing machine are dreams no more, the “Mighty Microbe” has arrived.
The worlds first mini-car copied with superb workmanship and great authenticity from the Formula 1 cars of the international Grand Prix circuit, the “Mighty Microbe” performs as realistically as it looks. Powered by an Italian made, rear-mounted four-stroke engine of 148cc, the “Mighty Microbe” boasts coil spring and hydraulic damper independent suspension along with rack and pinion steering and full monocoque chassis design. At 3600 RPM, the car cruises at just a shade under 30 mph–a level that may be maintained for safety by mechanical governor. With the governor removed, much higher speeds are possible.
The Mighty Microbe comes by its pur sang looks and performance naturally. It was developed by the English racing specialists Jomoro Ltd. design engineers, car preparation experts and former members of the Alan Mann Racing organization, and creation and production of the Microbe has been carried out with the same seriousness and dedication that would accompany a bid for a racing championship. Each car is hand-built with traditional British craftsmanship.
At every point of construction, safety and quality of components have been the primary considerations. Design of the car virtually precludes upsetting, yet a roll bar has been provided. Drum brakes are standard.
Specification
Overall Length: 8’3″
Overall Width: 4’6″
Overall Height: 2’9″
Weight: 180 lbs.
Wheelbase: 62″
Track–Front: 40″
Track –Rear: 42″
Max. Speed: (standard vehicle)
24.5 m.p.h.–effected by reduction gearing based upon a mechanically governed engine speed of 3600 r.p.m.
Welded and stove enamelled mild steel monocoque chassis unit.
Glass reinforced plastic removable body sections.
148 c.c. four stroke side valve engine unit to design by Tecumseh Products Company.
Power transmission by Chain & Sprocket.
Shift operated neutral gear.
Chrome plated coil spring and oil filled hydraulic damper independent suspension.
Rack and pinion steering in hardened steel.
Independent cable operated front wheel drum brakes operated on single leading shoe principle.
Adjustable throttle and brake pedal assembly.
8″ dia. Cast aluminium road wheels 6.5″ wide front and 9.5″ wide rear.
Tyres: Front 16 x 6.50 x 8 Rear 18 x 9.50 x 8
Full harness adjustable safety belts by Britax.
Steel roll-over bar.
Ignition cut out switch.
Fully trimmed and padded cockpit.
Leather covered L.72 aluminium steering wheel.
Rear view mirrors chrome finished.
Rear Wing on chrome plated supports.
Speedometer with mileage recorder.
Tinted perspex screen.
Choice of six standard colours–Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, White, Orange.
Optional Extras:
Overall fitted canvas cover.
Road trailer.
Driver suits in five sizes and four standard colours: Red, Turquoise, Yellow, Green.
Total coverage race helmets.
Craftsman made black leather driving gloves.
Spare parts as required.
Patent and Design Registration filed in Great Britain, U.S.A. And and W. Germany.
Manufactured by: Jomoro Ltd., 10 Mill Lane Estate, Alton, Hampshire, England
Telephone: Alton 84100

Do you drive a sports car?
Then read this vivid extract from Jimmy Stewart, of Ecurie Ecosse fame.
“Last Saturday morning I decided to take the E-type on Cinturas as far as Inveraray and back, 50 or 60 miles from here. The roads were wet and greasy, with occasional dry patches. I found that on the twisty sections I was travelling at between 70 and 80 miles an hour in 2nd and 3rd gear where on other tyres I would be driving at 45 and 50 mph. And in two straight sections at Loch Lomond I got a speedometer reading of 130 mph, taking it up to a maximum revs in 3rd and banging it into top then braking under racing conditions by tamping the pedal really hard, putting it right through the gears for various corners. And when I got as far as Arrochar I ran into quite a bit of snow and slush, and it was there I was really glad of the Cinturas. They almost felt like all-weather tyres.”
“I’m sure the Cintura is faster in dry road conditions than any other tyre. It almost feels up to the standard of a full racing cover. It gives one the feeling that it’s an entirely different tyre from anything else. It just grips so much better than any other tyre I have ever handled.”
The Cintura solves three sports car problems. Jimmy Stewart’s report amounts to this: the Cintura solves the three big problems of sports car tyres:
1. Tyre wear (“…here at last is a tyre that stands up to the driving I do.”).
2. Tyre heating (“It seems to run extremely cool, even under the most arduous conditions.”).
3. Tyre adhesion under stress (“I feel that the Cintura offers the absolute ultimate in safety.”).
How does the Cintura solve the problem of tyre distortion at speed (which can have unpleasant consequences)? It does so by having a built-in ‘safety belt’: An inextensible textile belt running right round the circumference of the tyre under the tread. It holds the tyre profile virtually unchanged even at very high speeds, and it gives the tyre a much more square and uniform contact area with the road.
Send for Jimmy Stewart’s full report and your free copy of the Cintura book, which lists all sports and saloon cars to which Cinturas can be fitted. See what a difference Cinturas make, even to a brilliant professional driver. If you drive a sports car, really drive it, there is only one tyre for you. In Jimmy’s own words: “I think Cinturas will improve the characteristics of any sports car!”
The standard Cintura: for speeds up to 130 mph.
the High Speed Cintura: for sustained speeds above 130 mph.
To The Pirelli Performance Bureau, 343-345 Euston Road, London NW1

A good driver drives still better with a Smiths Electronic Impulse Tachometer.
The racing driver’s control of his car depends on knowledge—not just knowledge of how to drive, but the moment-to-moment knowledge he gets from his instruments.
Chief of these is the tachometer. There’s no substitute for the information it gives the driver—information which is now available to you, whatever car you drive.
Smiths electronic impulse tachometer is a handsome, superbly accurate instrument, which can easily be fitted to an existing dashboard. It costs only £9.15—not much to pay for the chance of increasing motoring skill, and motoring pleasure too.
If you’re experienced enough to take advantage of a tachometer, you might be interested in Smiths other supplementary instruments, and the attractive sub-panel designed for mounting them below your dashboard.
Smiths Electronic Impulse Tachometer.
Write to us (or ask at your Garage) for full information about the electronic impulse tachometer and the complete range of supplementary instruments.
Smiths Motor Accessory Division
Sales and Service, Oxgate Lane, London N.W.2

This is something we’re unlikely to see again. It’s difficult enough to swap a new radio in lately, let alone gauges.

What Makes a Winner?
A split second, driving skill, that final touch in tuning, just plain luck. Certainly all of these. And the design and engineering skill that creates a racing machine.
The Choice of Champions: Beach.
————
Beach introduced formula Vee racing to the European circuits. Beach formula vees are the choice of Europe’s road racers on the grand prix circuit with wins at Silverstone, Solitude, hill climbs. Beach formula Vees continue their winning records on the most demanding circuits of the world.
Beach builds race cars with engineering skills that creates the near perfect blend of strength, weight, balance. Beach racing cars are designed and built by the world’s most experienced manufacturer of formula Vees. The winning combination of design, engineering, and construction.
The race-proven design, contoured bucket seat, seeable instruments, grand prix-type shock coil units, exclusive-molded fully-enclosing batter box, heat-treated nuts, bolts, fasteners. The best in quality components: Stewart Warner, Girling, Goodyear, Firestone. The quality combination of winning components.
Beach Formula Vees
Kit includes all components necessary to construct a Formula Vee exclusive of Volkswagen parts…..$1250
Stage One cars are completely assembled (less engine) with racing tires, wheels, and selection of fiberglass body colors…..$2150
Stage Three cars are fitted with a dyno tuned, balanced engine, with tuned exhaust system…..$2700
Stage Two cars track tested…..$2650
Stage Three cars track tested…..$2900
Race Car Trailer…..$325
Individual components may be purchased as desired. Send $5.00 for fully illustrated catalog, contains complete listing of parts, prices, and assembly instructions.
Competition Components Incorporated
2028 Gentry Street, Clearwater, FL 33516
All prices and specifications subject to change without notice. Prices F.O.B. Clearwater, Florida. Freight and crating charges are not included.

Track tested stage 3 for 3 grand? Sign me up!

Ford challenges Ferrari on the track, agrees with him on motor oil: both pick Shell
The new Ford GT, first car ever entered in European races by a major American automobile manufacturer, aims to put an end to Enzo Ferrari’s world championship reign.
Like Ferrari, Ford puts its faith exclusively in Shell oil. Below, they tell why:
Says Ford’s Roy Luss, chief design engineer o the GT, “A lot of time and talent have gone into the building of this car. We want to be sure we’re protecting our investment with the best racecar oil we can buy—Shell oil.”
Says Enzo Ferrari: “My loyalty to Shell springs from my experience first as a racing driver, then as director of the Ferrari racing team, and finally as a car manufacturer. Thirteen world championships have been the results of the happy association with Shell.

I’ll spare you the faux engineering sales-speak that follows, but you have to envy the unique position that Shell was in at the time: able to gain by either side winning the Ford-Ferrari wars.

What happened to gravity?
The casual way a Corvette flattens out the steepest hill you’ve ever seen makes you believe for a minute that Newton’s law has been repealed. Not so; gravity is still operating. It’s just that you’ve never piloted anything with the fantastic push this jewel generates.
But a Corvette makes everything so easy. Not just because its precision-balanced V8 can punch out more power-per-pound than any other engine in America. But because it answers a driver’s faintest hint so instantly and accurately. Because it stops flat, true and right NOW! Because its authentic sports car steering puts the car exactly where you want it, to the inch.
If you never have sampled a genuine sports car it may be hard for you to imagine what all this can mean. But the remedy for that is as close as your phone. Call your Chevrolet dealer now for an appointment—and let him show you there really is a fourth dimension to driving!
Corvette by Chevrolet.
Chevrolet Division by General Motors, Detroit 2, Michigan

Jim & Chester’s Garage via *Fragments