Not sure if this topic will fly here or not. But since there is a vintage mini-bike thread and pedal cars thread I thought I would try. Mods feel free to delete if to OT. I was hoping somebody could identify a vintage go-kart for me and put a value on it. Karting was big in California, anybody know what this is and what it is worth? I would like to get this Kart but do not want to pay too much for it. No engine, and these two photos off my phone are all I have.
Are you trying to use us to determine what your opening bid amount should be when you put it on the 'bay? Your handle gives me the impression that you are a wheeler dealer trying to use this forum for your business. I apologize in advance if I am wrong.
That's about what I expected, - a rude response. better go back and look at my old posts to tell me where you think I am a wheeler dealer. I want to BUY the KART and don't want to pay too much for it. I know there are a lot of west coast guys that are probably familiar with these, I am seeking advice not judgement. If you can't contribute and you don't know a damn thing about me, keep your posts to yourself.
The engine pad was on the right rear, The engine would sit higher than the tire. Fairly large sprocket on the rear wheel.
that wasn't a RUDE response at all. He posted it with the caveat that he could be wrong and if so, he apologized. If you've been here as long as it seems, you must have seen the plethora of 'what is it worth' and the supposed misspostings of items that some people want to sell or expose to the readers WITHOUT using the proper channels. Obviously you were offended by this...HAMBers need to have thicker skin that that. The "you hurt me" crap is for young lovers....you can omit it here - we're too cold-hearted. All that aside - your cart appears (as previously posited-no not posted, posited) to be well built. I recall when R&C was ALL go-karts ALL the time - they're neat - but they weren't THAT neat. My Uncle and his son were very into karts back in the day. At Boeing I worked with a guy that owned a high-end karting shop with his dad -they did FKEs (body) and mulit-engine stuff. Riding one of their quickest karts around SIR was breathtaking - 2" off the ground at I don't remember how fast/MPH, but it was fast. One of my brothers-in-law (an engineer at Boeing) builds the newest iteration of karts - and races them - his stuff (speed parts) are in demand throughout the hobby. My fist instinct when I saw your pictures was Bird Mfg....but I don't know why - just how my brain works. I apologize for any errors or typos...I'm currently having a bout of scintillating scatoma and cannot see straight ahead. These are ALWAYS accoompanied by screaming migraine headaches - I can hardly wait. If the price is right - you should by them. Virtually everything that was popular back in the 50s and 60s has come around again...If you didn't get a chance to by a split-window fuelie Vette, or a 427 S/C Cobra....at least you can pick up a couple of nice karts and you'll be ready for the re-emergence of the most fun you can have with a normal-sized wallet.
The plastic steering wheel say Bird to me. In my childhood certain karts were cool and others weren't. Plastic steering wheels and drum brakes fell under uncool. I wouldn't pay a lot for it. But then I don't want it that bad.
Your ride could be one of many made in the late-50's to early-60's. The way it sits now without the motor, about $100.00 . I see these all day on craigslist here in Seattle in similar condition. Very fun when built up.
About 45 years ago, I had a similar Go-Kart with twin 2-cycle McCulloch engines. Hard to start, but FAST! I bought it from a neighbor kid, or should I say Dad bought it - for about $100...lots of money back then. About 10 years ago, I bought my son another similar looking Kart off e'bay for $250. It has a 5 HP Briggs & Stratton engine. After powdercoating, new clutch, seat re-upolstery, bearings, etc. I've probably got somewhere around $1,000 in it. He was a big Bobby Labonte fan back then, so it's green & looks like a #18 Interstate Batteries Go-Kart. Even got Bobby to autograph it! Sorry, no pictures.
That ain't no Bug. Google "vintage karts", lots of help over there. My guess is an early 60's Bird kart, maybe worth a couple hundre bucks, tops!
I think it is either a Bird or Alfa Kart. The drum brakes were used in the late 50's and early 60's and my guess is it came with a Clinton engine. The value is much harder to figure but I will say between $100.00 and $200.00 dollars maybe even more to the right collector. There were many other brands that would bring a great deal more money. I have about 75 of the old .35 cent Karting World magazines from the late 50's to around 1965. After that everyone read I.K.F or International Kart Federation until the early 70's when World Karting started and then their magazine became really popular. The problem with the I.K.F. magazine was it was all about what was happening in karting on the left coast and there was not a great deal of coverage on the east coast until World Karting changed all that. I still have some of the old McCulloch engine stuff along with many of the Free things that used to give me for racing their engines such as the helmet bag and posters for the shop. Those were the days. Jimbo
No stirring on that. Its not a Bug. Bugs were totally different. We need Dean here for a definitive answer.
Not offended, just gets a little tiring sorting through all the BS before getting an answer. I get it, I know how the HAMB works, there are just far too many that think they need to be the HAMB police. In response to the information you gave - Thank you! That is all I am looking for is some knowledge on the subject. I appreciate any answer that gets me closer to learning or making a knowledgeable decision. There isn't a whole lot of vintage karting stuff to be found in Minnesota. The asking price on the Kart was $375.00, I saw it, knew it was vintage, and thought - man that would be cool to restore. Thankfully there were a few guys who provided enough info so that I didn't get taken on the purchase of that kart. Thanks to all provided some info, you saved me from making a bad purchase.
You post a knowing OT deal (which I think is totally cool), and still get your watch wound when you get the outcome you expected? You gotta relax. It could be far worse. Your friend could come visit you at your shop, and when leaving back into a customers 33 Ford taking out the grille. And the owner of said 33 Ford happens to belong to a certain well known bike club. He's not happy. A typed reply is nothing to get worked up about! Buy it.
How 'bout this? You posted, "That's about what I expected, - a rude response. better go back and look at my old posts to tell me where you think I am a wheeler dealer. I want to BUY the KART and don't want to pay too much for it. I know there are a lot of west coast guys that are probably familiar with these, I am seeking advice not judgement. If you can't contribute and you don't know a damn thing about me, keep your posts to yourself" I'll reply with, what I'd expect from a yankee. It ain't my job to go back and check all of your old postings when you come on here as a newbie asking advice. There is an edit & delete function on this website. After propwash pointed out the disclaimer that I posted which you disregarded in your hipshot response, you still elected to not go back and use it. I'm guessing that you are another fine product of our public educational system and a yankee! So, what are you going to put as the opening bid? Did you see the one that Rick restored on his restoration show?
I think your problem is that you need to stop guessing, considering you've been nothing but wrong. But hey if it makes you happy...
The enclosed rear live axle makes me think Sears... I've got a '66 Rupp Dart Kart and frequent www.rearenginekart.com and www.vintagekart.com . G'luck... Cam
I think I will go take a closer look to see of there are any decals on it behind the seat. To keep this vintage kart, in it's era, what type of engine would have been most commonly used, what would I want to look for to put on it? Cam, the links didn't work for me but I will search a little to see if I can find the sites you mentioned. To all who gave positive info or input, thanks.
The kart pictured is a Sears kart, sold circa 1960-1963 through the Sears and Roebuck stores. They were manufactured for Sears by New Monarch Mfg in Des Moines, Iowa. They're a nice-looking kart, unusual to find one now. In their day, they were considered too heavy to be competitive in racing, but they had some unique features, like an optional seat back mounted air cleaner system, and a cable operated control for adjusting the high speed jet on the carb. Seems most of the Sears karts were equipped with Power Products engines, either AH-58's or Ah-82's.
This is a 1961 Sears Model 300 racing Kart. Buy it if you can. Quite rare and I raced one as a kid and they can be very valuable today. I'll buy it if you didn't.
I remember a kart that had a very similar steering wheel and I believe it was called a Track Rabbit back in the early 60s Jim Hill
Forgive my inattention to the date posted as I was a new ( and still am) member when that was posted. I know every bolt on the kart he was referring about and having restored about a dozen different karts over the years; and having raced THAT kart for about 8 years, I'm quite sure what it is. You can find all sorts of catalog pages on the net showing it exactly by simply searching 1961 Sears Model 300. I'm doing a 1987 Emmick Express now but still looking for that specific kart as well as the Tecumseh AH 82 engine(s) to restore. No room for the Fleetlines, 56 Chevies, C2 Vettes and trucks of my youth. Bear with an old guy from the Motor City. I am also looking for a Vintage Triumph Bonneville, Triumph Hurricane, Norton Commando or a '69 BSA Rocket.
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