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Post by bobjeffreson on Nov 26, 2013 3:04:56 GMT 10
2 more Gilmers, that I'm pretty certain I haven't seen previously. If I have then they are different photos not seen before by me. I know Jan often used the same numbers on different cars he released. His numbering system does not reflect the release in the build sequence, otherwise Jose's blue Gilmer would be 120 something!
These courtesy of dtw's amazingly extensive photographic collection. Check out the hundreds of 1/4 scale pics he's posted on Quarter Scale Car Photography
 
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Post by bobjeffreson on Dec 5, 2013 6:48:16 GMT 10
Going by the quality of the photos, this has to be a long while ago. Also Jan hasn't sold kits for many, many years. This one also has the side cover-plate, so it's a sidewinder. I think there were only 5/6 of that model made, so again it's pretty rare. The wheels are odd as well...almost look like plastic, something that was never done by Jan.  
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Post by bobjeffreson on Dec 6, 2013 5:12:57 GMT 10
It never ceases to amaze me how photos "all of a sudden" appear on the 'net. I started this thread over 4 years ago and today I find a photo of the same #3 Gilmer. However this time it's parked beside one of the rarest 1/4 scale cars on the planet...a Don Edmunds 1/4 scale Offy midget. Mike Casey, ex QSL boss told me he'd never seen one of Edmunds midgets ever come up for sale. I seem to recall only numbers in the dozens ever being built.
What about the other car in shot.......a Delara/Conley V8 sprinter. That car sold on ebay some years ago for a wildly low price and we all missed it! That's some nice cars there.
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Post by bobjeffreson on Jan 5, 2014 5:19:38 GMT 10
This is Jan Gilmer's prototype 1/4 scale RC midget, built back in 1985. It was the first of a run that is still going today, 29 years later.
The car was powered by a Saito .90 twin aircraft engine. Jan said it was capable of speeds in excess of 70 MPH.
Car was numbered, dated and signed, as are all Jan's cars. His engraving has improved markedly over the years.... 
Jan kept this car for many years, as seen by the date on the photo, however he was convinced to sell it. A decision I think upon talking with him, he regrets to this day!
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Post by bobjeffreson on Jan 12, 2014 7:25:05 GMT 10
From April 2013......
Thanks to everyone, everywhere, that viewed this thread....
Almost 7000 views... WOW.... I'm amazed....
Only 5 months later and the thread has gone past 8000 views.....I'm even more amazed!
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Post by bobjeffreson on Jan 16, 2014 13:45:36 GMT 10
Just re-reading the ebay listing for Jose's Gilmer. This is certainly a RARE car.
Gilmer 1/4 Scale Midget Race Car - Custom Blue Color with Gold Numbers
Brand New - Manufactured and hand-built by Gilmer Hobby & Machine (Completed November 2011)
Serial Number #11 - 1 of 11 Cars Ever Built with Maloney Gas-Powered Engine
This model is the "ONLY" version ever built with a 125 Maloney engine (20cc) - VERY RARE & ONE-OF-A-KIND. |
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Post by bobjeffreson on Jan 30, 2014 10:58:40 GMT 10
Just had to add Joanne Jorgenson's car to the thread.....
At a rough count there are 39 cars in the thread. That means there are still another 90 odd Gilmer's out there!
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Post by bobjeffreson on Feb 2, 2014 6:13:25 GMT 10
on ebay....
You are bidding on a Gilmer 1/4 Scale Midget Race Car - Static Offy Model.
Built new in 2013 directly from Gilmer Hobby & Machine, with over 200 hours of hand craftsmanship. Non-running, static racing collectible.
"This is the Last Offy Model to be Built by Gilmer" in its storied 28 year history of quarter-scale midget race cars".
Rare "Gold Series" model with gold-turned dash and also includes: In-and-out box, steering gear, custom chrome exhaust, polished wheels and Goodyear racing rubber tires.
 
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Post by bobjeffreson on Feb 7, 2014 4:37:38 GMT 10
Jan's latest Kawasaki powered midget. 
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Post by bobjeffreson on Apr 6, 2014 15:37:33 GMT 10
What about this latest Gilmer resto by American Bill Mesler. Sweet!
Bill does some amazing stuff!  
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Post by bobjeffreson on Jun 14, 2014 22:52:07 GMT 10
I wonder who it was that grabbed this Gilmer midget for the ridiculous asking price of US$500. What a steal! I've been told it was from an on-line auction and not ebay!
 GILMER 1.4 SCALE MIGHTY MIDGET RACER
11 x 32 x 15 inches (27.9 x 81.3 x 38.1 cm)
Finely built and scarce 1.4 scale radio control racer by Jan Gilmer in Minnesota, designed for a top speed of over 50 mph. This model is presented in wood and glass display case without internal mechanism.
Provenance: Gilmer 1998.
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Post by bobjeffreson on Sept 7, 2014 8:15:26 GMT 10
Magazine article on Jan Gilmer's Midgets.
   
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Post by bobjeffreson on Oct 21, 2014 23:22:31 GMT 10
Jan's latest midget on ebay. A roller starting at US$2000.
 
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Post by bobjeffreson on Nov 4, 2014 8:52:24 GMT 10
Jan's latest Kawasaki powered midget.
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Post by bobjeffreson on Jul 14, 2018 9:34:07 GMT 10
I had no idea when I started this little niche thread on Jan Gilmer's superb midgets, that 9 years later nearly 17,200 hits would have come to it.
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Post by bobjeffreson on Jan 4, 2020 16:42:10 GMT 10
Jan C. Gilmer, 74 Jan Carter Gilmer, age 74, of Howard Lake, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 23, 2019, at his home. Services will be Saturday, June 15 at noon at Delano United Methodist Church in Delano, with Pastor Christina Koppes officiating. Family and friends will gather one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to the Good Samaritan Society (Howard Lake) or Delano Food Shelf. The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family; www.thepetersonchapel.com. Jan was born Dec. 31, 1944, in Minneapolis, to Howard and Marjorie (Staples) Gilmer. He was a graduate of Howard Lake High School. Jan was united in marriage to Janet Peterson June 26, 1964. The couple lived in Howard Lake until Janet’s passing, Aug.16, 1994. Jan’s loving companion for more than 20 years, Patricia Salmela, were together until his passing to be with our Lord. Jan served as vice president of Gilmer Monument Works in Howard Lake until 1985, when the business was sold. He started Gilmer Hobby and Machine in 1986, continuing his passion for racing by designing, building, and selling quarter-scale race cars to clients around the world. He also served his community from 2004 to 2016 as a member of the Howard Lake City Council. Jan was passionate about automobiles and automotive racing. He was a self-taught artist, engineer, and craftsman, who enjoyed being a race car driver, restoring classic wood boats, and restoring race cars. Jan had the “need for speed,” a heavy lead foot on the accelerator, and felt a sense of relaxation and peace when racing. His works of art were cherished and admired by all fortunate to have something hand-made by Gilmer. Jan is survived by his son, Preston Gilmer, and wife Annette Gilmer of Delano; grandsons Dylan and Cole Gilmer, of Delano; loving companion, Patricia Salmela of Cokato; along with special brother- and sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers and sister, Jerry Gilmer, Jay Gilmer, Bruce Gilmer, and Kay (Gilmer) Gerber. RIP Jan Gilmer |
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