Need info!! old kart bodies???!!

[Jeff Norwell]

O.k...... A few weeks back I bought a racing kart and a recreational kart,...super cheap,here is my madness,I want or need info on those 'ol style midgit kart bodys that I have seen in the old Hotrod,carcraft,rc mags of the late 50's and early 60's When my pickup is done I plan to haul this on the back and driv'er around events...or just be a squirrel in my own hood.
I have talked to a few people and most dont even know what I am blathering on about.ANY info on these bodies would be helpful.Maybe I might jusht have to build a mold and slather a glass body together(?!?)

[Jeff Norwell]

pic 1

[Jeff Norwell]

these are just little models,but It gives ya an Idea..... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[gowjobs]

Those aren't regular Karts, per se, but Quarter Midget racers. Similar to racing karts, they sat a touch higher and were usually raced on dirt ovals, while in most areas, kart tracks were/are asphalt road courses.

Some establishments would run races for both types of cars - the most bitchen Kart bodies I can think of were Bonneville streamliner skins that had a lower aluminum or fiberglass section and a swoopy upper body that was fastened onto it after the driver layed down in the Kart. They kinda look like minatures of Jocko's/Moon's streamliner.

[bluegrassboogie]

yep those are quarter midgets or junior midgets.juniors are bigger.quarters are more for little kids.

[Rocket88]

Brush, your looking for an old 1/4 midget body. I used to race 1/4 midgets back in the mid 70's (god I'm getting old). The closest match to that particular body style you are looking for would be an old Rice. The very early Curtis looked similar too.

[bluegrassboogie]

i thought quarters where rear engined?

[Harrison]

One maker of 1/4 midgets was a company called "Moss".

My uncle had one. Another buddy has two currently.

JH

[VAPHEAD]

I have a buddy who is making bodies from a old bumper car mold..I'll try to find you a picture.He sells them in gelcoat for $250.00?
He is in the Denver area.

[Lownwuf]

Ive been told Offenhauser built them also and called them Offyettes, I have a vintage 1/4 midget in my collection it is a fiberglass body and belly pan with a metal strip about 3" wide that blends the two halfs. The frame is made from two length of round tubeing stacked on top on one another in the shape of a large egg. It has hairpins with helm joints and a tube axel, torshion bar springs that run down the sides or the frame and attach on top of the axel, side hand brake and I have ran several engines on it when I could still fit in it. I seen one at a swap meet last yr and talked with the owner for a while, his asking price was $250.00 which I though was a good deal. If I see him again I can get his number for you. It has had the rear axel changed at some time but the body was very nice, was missing the grill also and was not a torshion bar set up.

[fab32]

Maybe SJFast will chime in on this one. He is building a bitchin gocart with a 1/4 midget body (I think). He has posted pictures a few times and I contacted him about the body. I think he said they were available from a race car supply house. Anyway, if he doesn't post , PM him and I'm sure he can help you out.

Frank

[VAPHEAD]

This is a 1/4 Midget we have in our showroom.Still looking for pictures of the bumper car bodies.

[VAPHEAD]

The motor is in the back

[Rocket88]

The motors weren't always in the back. Here's a crappy pic of the car I raced as a kid. The body was all aluminum. I still remember my one ass cheek getting hot in a long race.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

fab32....Mine is a full-size midget (pic). 70" wheelbase. If he can find an actual 1/4 midget nose, hood, and tail, I'm sure those parts could be fitted onto a kart chassis. They're small enough. My stuff would be WAY too big.

[Jeff Norwell]

Vap/ That is what I am looking for!!!! Please forward any info when you get it ...much app. That kart is freakin right on the money!!!!!!!

[Jeff Norwell]

Rockett88/ Man you sure were a lucky kid.....I really want to do this side project!!!

[Jeff Norwell]

SJfast/..I found a guy last year (at a local swap meet) who had a rear for sale..he wanted $300 for it and I decided to pass......I thought it was a bit pricey......maybe I was wrong.

[Jeff Norwell]

Lownwuf/ Ifyou do run into this fella....Let me know.....much app.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Brush...Somebody somewhere has molds for making those parts in fiberglass. The vintage versions would look most like your photos. The modern stuff is too geometric.

I'll keep an eye out !

[Jeff Norwell]

SJfast/ That would be Awesome bro....thank you very much!!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Brush.....Check this out :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10076&item=2438622 437

[Jeff Norwell]

Kool!!!!!!! I'm on it!!!!!!!!!!!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Brush....Did you buy it ?

[Zapato]

As long as we're talkin' karts, any sites similar to the HAMB for karting? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Jeff Norwell]

NO!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gifThe seller WOULD not ship to canada..even after I had a U.S address.......MY MOTHER!!!!!!!!!.....The stupid fucker must of thought I was some kind "foregner"......I tried to explain but no way......I could of picked the body up in detroit.....very close to me....just an ignorant goof!........O.K....I ranted enuff...if anybody has any more leads.....please PM me.

[a/fxcomet]

Here ya go Zapato: http://www.4cycle.com/ , the link for the forums is at the top of the page. There are a few hot rodders on the Briggs 5hp forums.