In 1963 the Harley-Davidson Motor Company began producing golf carts. This three-wheeled vehicle was shaped with a Vespa-style front end and, like any golf cart, carried two passengers and golf bags. Max Walker created the first gasoline-powered golf cart "The Walker Executive" in 1957. E-Z-Go began producing golf cars in 1954, Cushman in 1955, Club Car in 1958, Taylor-Dunn in 1961, Harley-Davidson in 1963, Melex in 1971, Yamaha Golf Car in 1979 and CT&T in 2002. In 1951 his Marketeer Company began production of an electric golf cart in Redlands, California. He started with knowledge gained from production of electric cars due to World War II gasoline rationing. Merle Williams of Long Beach, California was an early innovator of the electric golf cart. Italian State Police golf carts at Venice Railway Station. Other US states, such as Florida, have a minimum age of 14–15 years. The minimum age to drive a golf cart is 13 in Georgia, Alabama, California, Kansas, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Vermont, and South Carolina. Typical modifications include windshields, ball cleaners, cooler trays, upgraded motor or speed controller (to increase speed and/or torque), and lift kits. This has led to the modification of golf carts to suit use at a particular golf course. With the rise in popularity of golf carts, many golf clubs or country clubs offer storage and energy options to golf cart owners. Other factors may include options such as equipment requirements, and how many people the cart is meant to transport. These factors may include whether or not a fleet of carts is being purchased for a golf course or a country club, for example, and whether the carts are new or used.
The price of a golf cart can range anywhere from under US$1,000 to well over US$20,000 per cart, depending on several factors. They are generally around 4 feet (1.2 m) wide × 8 feet (2.4 m) long × 6 feet (1.8 m) high and weigh 900 pounds (410 kg) to 1,000 pounds (450 kg). Golf carts come in a wide range of formats such as 2, 4, and 6 seaters and are more generally used to convey small numbers of passengers short distances at speeds less than 15 mph (24 km/h) per ANSI Standard z130.1 as originally manufactured.
Below you can watch a short video description of these retro machines.A golf cart or golf buggy (called golf car in ANSI standard Z130.1, since "carts" are not self-propelled) is a small vehicle designed originally to carry two golfers and their golf clubs around a golf course or on desert trails with less effort than walking. The restoration took over 1,000 hours and the result is, as advertised, "high-end, concours-quality." No reserve and no price have been mentioned. The ride is impeccable from all points of view, including a completely rebuilt engine, charging system, and uphostery. The H-D golf cart Barrett-Jackson is selling this weekend has been restored to awesome looks, in classic Harley orange/black livery, chromed wheel hub covers, painted grab rails and steering, polished tray and all. And making always running with a battery in good health mandatory. That is because the direction the engine was rotating was dictated by the direction the electric started was spinning.Ī small lever under the seat was used to revert the polarity of the starter, therefore spinning the engine in the desired direction.
A 2-stroke Harley machine that has to be shut off before putting it in reverse or vice-versa One of the funny details of these Harley-Davidson golf carts is that choosing forward or reverse required the driver to shut the engine off. The bench of the cart is also a lift-top cover for the engine and tank compartment. It is noisy and makes a lot of smoke, obviously, but apparently it does the job pretty well. The engine is a 2-stroke air-cooled single with electric starter and easy-to-use throttle-and-go operation. Harley went 4-wheel before the cart division was sold to Columbia Par Car in 1982. The one we are showing to you was made in 1971, but still belongs to the early generations, as it only has three wheels. We did a little research for these carts and it looks like they were rather popular back in the '60s and '70s. It may be a tad too late for some who maybe wanted to take this cart home, but at least now you know there's at least one fully-restored piece that might show up in other auctions later on. We spotted the cart is up for grabs in an auction held by Barrett-Jackson at Palm Springs, Florida, this very weekend.