Go-Kart Mfg 1957-62

[Terry Bentley]

This is a very early ad from March 1958.



An ad for options and accessories in the same month. Also mentions setting up for dual engines.



What has been misrepresented early on as a McCulloch engine is actually a Westbend contracted by McCulloch. These were used on their failed attempt of tapping into the self propelled lawn mower market.  All of the mowers were recalled and production was ceased immediately. This engine was the failure due to crankshaft locking up and shearing off. So McCulloch dumped the surplus of engines on the market for cheap.



July 1958 offered an improved model now designated the 400.




October 1958 HOT ROD article build up using the 400 kit.



October 1958 ad for the dual engine model 400. Rod and Custom had already published an article doing a conversion to a dual engine in February 1958.


April 1959

Spring 1959 comes more improvements, now the 400B was introduced and carried for rest of the year.


October 1959

[Terry Bentley]

Here are a couple of even earlier ads. 



This first one is November 1957



This later one in January 1958

Below is the original plans with the Go-Kart 400B kit.



First you need a blueprint



Confirm all the parts are in your kit



Then make sure you know where all the parts go



If you can follow the detailed instructions.......



A finished kart ready to race. 

Did you remember to ad the upholstery and those other options to your order?

What color are you going to paint the frame?

Did you cheap out and not get the slicks?

[Terry Bentley]

The Go-Kart 400 style was already out dated at the 1959 GKCA Nationals. It was the turning of the page into a more advanced style chassis that was needed. Several karts had already gone with a live rear axle. This was going to be the future of karting. The 400C tho looking fairly advanced compared to the earlier models, nothing much had changed from the first improved 400 series design. This ad above was still on the back cover of Karting World and inside HOT ROD during the spring of 1960.

In June 1960 the Go-Kart 800 made its debut.





This became the common ad on back cover of Karting World magazine.

Mid year 1961 some needed improvements were made and now the final version of the Go-Kart 800. A front bumper was added. Seat hoop tubing size increased from 3/4 to 7/8 inch diameter, Steering shaft is now 5/8 inch with Azusa wheel.

[Terry Bentley]

This ad showed up in the January 1961 issue of HOT ROD. I think one pretty much sells itself.



If only they already realized how wimpy the 1/2 inch steering shaft was by now. I cant imagine some 200 pound man trying to drive this kart running two Mc-10's and not twisting the shaft into a pretzel. These would be awesome with the upgraded 5/8 inch steering shaft and decent Azusa wheel. Oh well with some other improvements later in the year those will be included.

But looking back it took nearly two years before they put side rails for the seat on the 400 series. Seems like the first time driving that kart, you would be complaining about not being able to keep yourself in the seat. Guess you just put a tighter grip on that welded together smaller steering wheel connected to a still very wimpy small 1/2 inch shaft. Then no problem.

[Terry Bentley]

Another early ad in spring of 1961.

[Terry Bentley]

And a few more...

These ads are from December 1959 thru fall 1960 in no particular order.

[Terry Bentley]

A full page from HOT ROD 1962. Now the improved model G-Kart 1200.

[Terry Bentley]

Here is a very early Go-Kart 800 ad from Motor Trend April 1960.

[Terry Bentley]

Some more to add.

[Terry Bentley]

September 1962