Citicar Go Kart?

[youtheotube2]

My bosses boss has a 1975 Sebring Vangard Citicar that is sitting in my bosses backyard. For those who dont know what a citicar is, a citicar is a very small, wedge shaped electric car. They were sold back in the 70's and are completely street legal. They are about the same size as a go kart, maybe a little bigger, but has so much more. Ive got AC, heat, full suspension, lights, a cabin, mirrors, and much else. The problem is that its electric. It needs 8 6 volt batteries and theyre heavy. 400 pounds total. The whole car weighs 1300 pounds and with a 3.5 hp motor, it means it can reach 35 mph downhill with a very strong tailwind. He wants to sell it to me for $600. The batteries need to be replaced, it needs to be fully cleaned, the brakes need to be completely redone, and I assume theres some wiring issues too. If I get it restored, I might think about getting a bigger motor and batteries. A new controller would be nice too. Or I could think about putting a small gas engine in it. Therefore making it a large, street legal go kart. What do you think?

 

[osso12]

My opinion is either pass on it, way to expensive for batteries. You need 48 volts total.
If you are thinking serious, Id do the research on converting to gas. Either way you are looking at a money pitt.

 

[qtband]

What about putting a small motorcycle engine in it? It may be a money pit, but you certainly would have a unique item.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I see two options, too-

A full-on restoration, in hopes of a good return when you flip it. Bring your wallet. Or-

Something like QT's suggestion- an ATV or Snowmobile engine and transmission. Do it to your liking and have fun with it. This can be done on a fairly low budget if you are resourceful. I suggest a sled or ATV powertrain because of reverse. I would consider that mandatory on something streetable, and a bike with reverse is gonna cost BIG TIME!

 

[bighead]

Post a pic of this car? If it what I think it is they are really cool?

Did American Pickers guys just buy of these a few shows back?

 

[youtheotube2]

Heres a pic of a citicar, not the one im restoring. The batteries in it actually hold a charge, they just need to be cleaned and filled. I could just get some new electrolyte and dump it in. I dont think its a problem that theyre bubbled out on the sides. Just age. I probably wont resell it for a while. Im 14 and it would be nice for cruising to subway and back when I get my license.

 

[bighead]

Nice. The one I was thinking has 3 wheels.

Have you found ones that sold on ebay?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Othe...3871444?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item460522b554

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Othe...3856840?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4605227c48

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Othe...9496167?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4845d90667

active listing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Othe...8976561?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4605709b31

 

[youtheotube2]

If I buy it and finish restoring it I probably wont sell it until I get a better car. I have had an interest in converting it to gas so it can go faster and it has a better range.

 

[bighead]

If you can keep the exhuast smell out of the inside gas would be cool. Make sure your are not killing the value though.

 

[Acavet]

Your going to run into some problems if it was a previously registered vehicle. It is unlikely that C.A.R.B. (California Air Resources Board) is going to let you convert a no emissions vehicle into something that cannot be made smog compliant. That is not something that you are going to be able to do with a motorcycle engine or something similar.

If however it has never been registered then you might be able to registered it as a specially constructed vehicle. It is possible to get a smog exemptions but the state only hands out 500 such stickers a year.

Id say you'd be better keeping it electric. There are many new motors on the market these days that are much more efficient.

 

[cumminsbayou4x4]

id buy it they are like really rare

 

[youtheotube2]

That is not something that you are going to be able to do with a motorcycle engine or something similar.

What if I used a 16hp engine? And I read on californias dmv smog exemption website and it said that hybrids are exempt from smog tests. So if I keep the motor and batteries but also put in a gas engine somehow, Im exempt from emissions laws.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Your going to run into some problems if it was a previously registered vehicle. It is unlikely that C.A.R.B. (California Air Resources Board) is going to let you convert a no emissions vehicle into something that cannot be made smog compliant. That is not something that you are going to be able to do with a motorcycle engine or something similar.

If however it has never been registered then you might be able to registered it as a specially constructed vehicle. It is possible to get a smog exemptions but the state only hands out 500 such stickers a year.

Id say you'd be better keeping it electric. There are many new motors on the market these days that are much more efficient.

Now that is a shame.

 

[bighead]

register it as it is. The mod the heck out of it. Then just buy new tags every few years.

 

[Acavet]

If you registered it as a electric vehicle then got pulled over and had converted it gas powered, your looking a potentially enormous fine in the range of 25 K. The eco nuts in California have made it really tuff on people.

 

[bighead]

If you registered it as a electric vehicle then got pulled over and had converted it gas powered, your looking a potentially enormous fine in the range of 25 K. The eco nuts in California have made it really tuff on people.

Wow. Gotta love regulations.

How would they know it's gas or Electric? The cop that is? Is it tagged?

 

[qtband]

Remove the batteries and electrics, install your 16hp, add a 12v starter motor to the drive line powered by 1 battery and you have your hybrid. Much lighter. OR, move out of California! LOL!!!

 

[jman231994]

I like the hybrid idea. You could get away with any petrol generator in there probably. Have the generator either charging the batteries or providing power to the motor bypassing the batteries altogether....If you run out of fuel the batteries come on. Sounds awesome to me

 

[bighead]

Put that body on a kids race kart chassis.

 

[Filipe]

I like the hybrid idea. You could get away with any petrol generator in there probably. Have the generator either charging the batteries or providing power to the motor bypassing the batteries altogether....If you run out of fuel the batteries come on. Sounds awesome to me

Doesn't SOUND all that bad.