1963/1965, Lotus/Indy style Cart

[def3315]

Good day to all. I am new my name is Dan.
I am currently working on a project for a friend. It is a fiberglass body style cart from the mid 60's. From what I have been able to learn it was probably built in Fairmont, NE. And would have been acquired thru a raffle, at a racing event like the indy 500 or some other large race.

This cart is red, although there was some green end yellow after grinding thru the base color. I will post what pics I have. it is a tube frame/ride on design. With a Clinton 3 1/4 hp engine.

I am interested if anyone else has pics of one of these, Kart40 had a similar unit a few years back. Wondering about a possible rear bumper?
As the body has several holes in it that do not seem be related to mounting to the frame.

 

[Poboy kartman]

to the forum! KART! KART! KART!......Did I mention KART?

 

[itsid]

Oh c'mon man you must be kidding me..
you have one of those?

Rare as snowballs in the atakama desert and this is the second on DIYGK
(in case.. here's the first)

You see me jealous!

No really.. that is AMAZING... congratulations

'sid

 

[chancer]

Nice,
Hey sid in that link you posted The guy in post 13 has one too!
You must be like the only guy that does not have one.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Nice,
Hey sid in that link you posted The guy in post 13 has one too!
You must be like the only guy that does not have one.

No....there's you.....and then there's me......just as happy....as two can be......(feel the love.....)

 

[itsid]

Well Eric...
There are several similar karts...
but that exact one (made by BIRD btw) is the one Jim Clark was seen driving around with for fun..

And that pic alone made them kinda rare.

I don't say Reelingin does NOT have that exact same kart...
but since he hasn't posted a picture it could be just one of the very similar (up to Sears Orange Crate vs Manco AmEx similarity) karts
I can't tell...

I've seen one on ebay a couple of years ago going into a four figure price tag (mind you it's still "only" an BIRD Mfg kart.... no Rupp, no Bug; a simple formerly cheap Bird funkart)
okay, true it was in pristine condition and all...

but I guess by now (50 years after it left the factory) it's not likely to find one of those very often anymore (not without body cracked and rotted into complete uselessness)

So yeah.. great thing to have.

Your friend should stick to it (even to the clinton engine tbh)



'sid

 

[chancer]

The original Clinton engine really does make this one take the cake.
I wonder how this kart will handle, It looks to be reeeeally wide.

Thanks sid I was just messing with you a little. Also Reelingin's story of a Raffle matches up with this OPs story... But yep as always pics or it did not happen! lol

 

[Hellion]

Nice find. This is the oldest fiberglass promotional kart I've ever seen since (as far as we know) it was modeled on race cars of the era and it's not an anachronism from a later time frame.

Certainly one of the very few items with the Clinton name that still have positive associations.

 

[landuse]

Nice

 

[def3315]

Thanks to all for history lesson and affirmation of rarity, will post more pics as projec continues.
Any idea what the factory tail pipe/muffler looked like ? this one just has an open exhaust port.

Did BIRD post ads in Karting Mags ?? Back in the day?

Also looking for a Clinton recoil spring or suitable substitute. Thanx.

---------- Post added at 07:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:37 AM ----------

This was an ad that came up last year while I was doing research,

not sure if the link will work.

http://for-sale.yowcow.com/listing/84312672/

 

[chancer]

The link works. Funny looks to me like the one in the pic has a Predator on it.