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Jim Winter is a collector and restorer of classic 1955-56 Ford Crown Victorias, but says his all-steel homebuilt 1955 Mini-Ford gets more attention than a lot of the full-size cars.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Untold hours of body work went into chopping down full-size parts to build the car, which rides on a gas-powered Club Car golf cart chassis. But don't call it a "golf cart" because Winter says he has no plans to hit the links with it.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

"I always wanted a purple car," says Jim Winter, who finally got his wish when he and several friends joined forces to build this approximately half-scale mini-car, using spare '55 Ford parts and pieces.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

A closer look at the front end of Winter's Mini-Ford reveals how much work went into reducing it in size. The headlights and park lights remain original size, but the hood, bumper and grille all had to be sectioned, shortened and pieced back together before being refinished.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

From the rear, the little Ford looks right, with even the Fordomatic emblem in place. A Ford crest will occupy the center of the peaked deck lid.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Winter had to downsize the wheel openings in both the front and rear fenders to accommodate the smaller running stock. The original 9-inch wheels and tires gave way to a set of modified 13-inch wheels and tires that not only give the bright purple and white car a more comfortable ride, but boost top speed from 12 to 17 mph.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

The '55 Ford dashboard was trimmed down to size, with the round radio and heater controls eliminated from the center section. Winter chose to keep a full-size factory steering wheel, though, along with the stock speedometer and dash bezels and knobs.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

A closer look at the trimmed-down dash reveals the see-through '55 Ford speedometer and the Fordomatic shift indicator retained for character.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Powered by a rear-mounted 1-cylinder Yamaha engine, the diminutive Ford features an "empty" engine bay; Winter put a wire basket in the opening to carry whatever cargo might be needed.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle