Below are several groupings of photos of Ernie and his various projects. Click images to enlarge.
Ernie’s Early Years
Ernie as a Boy
A young “Eily” (Ernie’s middle name). Ernie went by this name for many years.
Ernie With His First Convertible
Ernie standing alongside his first convertible.
Ernie With His First Convertible
Ernie With His First Convertible
Ernie and His Wife, Sheila.
A Young Ernie at Work
Ernie is far right here.
Ernie at the Track
Ernie collecting another checkered flag and trophy at the track following a race.
5/8 Scale Dwarf Car Racers
Ernie With Early 5/8 Scale Dwarf Racers
Pictured here are some of Ernie’s early Dwarf Car Racers.
Ernie With Dwarf Cars “Doc” and “Grumpy.”
Ernie named his first racers after Snow White’s Seven Dwarves. Number 33 is “Doc” and 34 is “Grumpy.”
Ernie Seated in Dwarf Racer “Grumpy”
Ernie With the Number 24 Dwarf Car
This Dwarf racer was called “Big Bad Wolf.”
“Big Bad Wolf” in a Controlled Slide
These cars have plenty of power for their weight, and provide a thrilling ride for the drivers and spectators. Compared to most other classes they are also quite economical to race.
Sherline Products Advertisement
This advertisement shows an alignment system designed specifically for Dwarf and Legend’s racecars. Though small, they are sturdy, well-designed and easy to maintain. They are an excellent class for anyone thinking about getting into racing Dwarf car cruisers.
Dwarf Car Cruisers
Grandpa Dwarf
Early Stages of the Grandpa Dwarf
This image shows the early stages of Ernie’s first Dwarf car cruiser, “Grandpa Dwarf.” He completed the model in 1965. Notice the bodywork is being crafted with old refrigerator panels.
Ernie Posing With His Unfinished Grandpa Dwarf
Originally, this car was designed as a Touring Car, with solid rubber tires. It was powered by a 13 HP Onan 2-cylinder motor.
Grandpa Dwarf
This is the completed Grandpa Dwarf. Later in the 70’s Ernie added the top, 12-inch pneumatic tires, and the Onan motor. This first Dwarf Car was kept in running order, and is likely still driving at the time of this writing.
Grandpa Dwarf
Ernie’s Grandpa Dwarf. Behind it is the later “Hillbilly Model A” which he also built.
1939 Chevrolet Sedan
Ernie Posing With ’39 Chevy Sedan
Wanting to put his metal shaping skills to the test, Ernie set out to make a fully dressed Dwarf car with fenders, chrome, and a finished interior. He also wanted this car to be street legal.
Ernie Inside His ’39 Chevy Sedan
Ernie based all his measurements for this car on pictures of the original. Starting in 1999, it took him 2-1/2 years to finish. The car weighs 1770 lbs, and easily cruises at highway speeds.
Ernie’s ’39 Chevy Sedan features:
A Heater, defroster, windshield wipers, cowl air vent, glove box, key locks, dome light, horn, full instrument dash panel, fold down sun visors, inside and outside rearview mirrors, cigar lighter and three ash trays, adjustable sealed beam headlights, spare tire with jack and wheel wrench located in the trunk, and a complete parts book including wiring diagrams using Toyota color code.
1942 Ford Deluxe Convertible
Ernie and Sheila With the ’42 Ford Deluxe Convertible
Ernie began constructing this convertible in 1992, using 1×2 rectangular tubing for the frame, and 20-gauge sheet steel for the body.
Ernie Inside His ’42 Ford Deluxe Convertible
Ernie used the same motor and drivetrain from a Toyota Corolla that he had used for his ’39 Chevy Dwarf. He also used the Corolla’s steering, tie rods, and electric wiring.
1942 Ford Deluxe Convertible
Like the original, Ernie’s ’42 Dwarf has a straight axle with front and rear suspension using a transverse leaf spring. He also fabricated a hydraulic convertible top that is fully operational.
1942 Ford Deluxe Convertible
Ernie spent seven years constructing his ’42. He finished it in 1999, and registered the car as Street Legal, “1999 Homemade.”
1942 Ford Deluxe Convertible
This car has many features, such as bucket seats, cloth interior, heater, defroster, stereo and clock. Ernie used an 80″ wheelbase. The car is 11 ½ feet long, 50″ wide, and 46″ high. Note the builder’s plate on the door.
1929 “Hillbilly” Model A Ford
1929 “Hillbilly” Model A Ford
After seeing a few “hillbilly” Model A Ford’s around, Ernie decided he wanted to build one himself. These cars tell a whole story. The more stuff you add, the more character they have.
Ernie With His 1929 “Hillbilly” Model A Ford
It only took Ernie three months to build this car, and to place a few antiques on it. Instead of a paint job, he simply wheeled the car outside and let it rust.
1929 “Hillbilly” Model A Ford
Ray eventually installed a 1932 American Austin motor, which looks a lot more like a Model A motor. The motor is water-cooled, 4-cylinder, and 13 HP. The car’s top speed is 35 mph.
1929 “Hillbilly” Model A Ford
The “hillbilly” before full rusting. The car has a suitcase trunk, three different horns, and even a real miniature pot-belly heating stove in the back seat. He also added an authentic moonshine still around the back.
Handmade Spoke Wheels for the “Hillbilly” Model A
Ernie made these spoke wheels himself, along with a vinyl top. He also made the side windows operational with a roll out windshield. The “hillbilly” car continually evolved as friends and neighbors added more antiques to the car.
1949 Mercury “Rebel Rouser”
Ernie and His 1949 Mercury “Rebel Rouser”
The ’49 Mercury is an all-time American favorite, made popular by James Dean’s movie, “Rebel Without A Cause.” It’s one of Ernie’s favorites, too.
Ernie and His “Rebel Rouser” at the Pump
Ernie loved the new full-bodied styles of the ’49 and early 50’s Mercs.
’49 Mercury “Rebel Rouser”
Ernie began construction on the Mercury Dwarf in September 2004.
Ernie Beside His “Rebel Rouser”
This car challenged Ernie’s fabricating skills more than the ‘39 Chevy and ’42 Ford Dwarves. He learned more about shaping steel with each car built.
’49 Mercury “Rebel Rouser”
The car is entirely hand-crafted, and is as solid as the real thing.
“Rebel Rouser” Interior
Note the details on the dash, and the small custom steering wheel.
Ernie and His ’49 “Rebel Rouser”
This car is “Nose-and-Decked,” sporting a Fulton-style sun visor and Lakes pipes.
’49 Mercury “Rebel Rouser”
The car features baby moon hubcaps with beauty rings, fender skirts, two spotlights, front disc brakes, roll up windows and a bench seat.
Ernie Working on the “Rebel Rouser”
The “Rebel Rouser” uses a 1290cc Toyota motor and drivetrain.
’49 Mercury “Rebel Rouser”
The name “Rebel Rouser” was taken from Duane Eddie’s popular guitar instrumental. Caribbean Turquoise is the color of choice.
Ernie Working on the “Rebel Rouser”
Ernie is seen here putting on some of the finishing touches.
“Rebel Rouser” Dashboard
The “Rebel Rouser” has many functional features.
Ernie Inside the “Rebel Rouser”
Ernie Hand-Crafting the Interior
’49 Mercury “Rebel Rouser”
In this shot, the turquoise paint job has just been applied.
1934 Ford 2-door Sedan “Bonnie”
Ernie With His 1934 2-Door Sedan “Bonnie”
This is Ernie’s miniature version of the Bonnie and Clyde “Death Car.” Except his is a 2-door sedan without the bullet holes.
Ernie Adjusting the Fender for “Bonnie”
The rusted antique finish implies a car that has sat out in the weather for many decades, but the shiny chrome parts show it has been well cared for.
Ernie Exposing the Louvered Hood
Ernie especially liked the look of the suicide doors, and the overall shape of the louvered pattern in the hood.
Ernie Modifying the Rear Fender of “Bonnie”
“The rusted spoke wheels match the overall look of the body more than any fancy wheels would,” said Ernie. The engine is a 4KE Toyota with 5-speed transmission.
“Bonnie” Front Fender
One chrome horn rests upon each front fender below the headlights, like jewelry along the sides of the long slanted grill. The hood ornament is a 1935 Auburn flying lady.
Ernie Applying Side Panels to the “Bonnie”
Like all of Ernie’s Dwarf cars, this one is completely handmade of steel and is street legal.
’34 2-Door Sedan “Bonnie”
Ernie has always been fond of the ’34 Ford Sedans. “I think the ’34 has one of the most beautiful bodies of any car,” he comments.
1940 Mercury Coupe
1940 Mercury Coupe
These photos show how Ernie’s metalworking craftsmanship has improved over the years, going from simple flat panels to the development of flowing, complicated compound curves.
1940 Mercury Coupe
Shown here is a preview of one of Ernie’s unfinished projects—a 1940 Mercury Coupe.
Early Stages of Metalwork on 1940 Mercury Coupe
1940 Mercury Coupe
1940 Mercury Coupe
1940 Mercury Coupe
Dwarf Car Museum
Ernie’s entire collection of Dwarf cars can be seen at the Dwarf Car Museum in Maricopa, Arizona.
Ernie’s Garage
