HARLEY-DAVIDSON: A PIONEER IN EARLY GOLF CARTS

PHOTO CURTESY OF SCOTT GREENSETH

HARLEY-DAVIDSON

A PIONEER IN EARLY GOLF CARTS

There are few vintage golf cart brands in the world that evoke the history and significance of the Harley-Davidson Company, known worldwide for their iconic motorcycles.

But a look back in time will show that Harley-Davidson knew a lot about the need for personal-use transportation on and around the golf course, and they used their expertise in design and manufacturing to their fullest advantage.

The results are some of the golf cart industry’s most eyecatching and well-engineered examples during the time they were produced. And there is a large contingent today who still value the historic brand and collect them avidly. founded in 1903, and although the company has seen some troubled times, they sold just under 200,000 vehicles in 2021.

In 1963, the younger generation of the Davidson family was represented when William “Willie G” Davidson joined the company. Although there is no record of his addition to the company being the reason, it was around this time that the decision was made to enter the golf cart business. Because of their expertise in motorcycle engines, the carts were originally powered by a single-cylinder, 245-cc gas engine. They later made a battery-powered electric version.

Early models were 3-wheeled, and a 4-wheel version was added in the early 1970s. One of the quirkier things about Harley-Davidson carts is that if you want to switch between forward and reverse, you had to turn off the motor, switch

gears, and restart the motor. This is because the direction the electric starter was spinning determined which direction the cart would go. Another unique design aspect was the steering system, a tiller-like control mounted in the center between the driver and passenger seats above the single front tire. Original HD carts had a one-piece body that completely tilted up and back towards the rear to reveal the entire engine and gas tank on gas models and the battery box on later electric versions, allowing easy access for maintenance and repairs.

Back in their prime years, Harley-Davidson golf carts were a leading seller, extremely popular at hundreds of private and public golf courses around the country. Even Elvis Presley owned one of the iconic carts, beautifully styled by The King himself in an eye-catching blue and white motif.

The Harley-Davidson company was sold to American Machine & Foundry Company, commonly known as AMF, after a brief ownership period by a group of investors who had decided to sell. It was this move that many believe caused the iconic motorcycle manufacturer to go downhill, with many changes in their core products and a dilution of their vision by converging ancillary businesses not even remotely involving personal transportation vehicles. AMF had previously been known for making things like tennis rackets, bowling equipment and other sports-related recreational items.

But, they did decide to continue making golf carts.

In the 1970s, the carts were branded as Harley-Davidson AMF vehicles, still offering a 3 and 4-wheel model.

In 1980, the company was again sold, this time to

Columbia Par Car, a leading golf cart brand at the time. Columbia Par Car is operated as a brand of the Nordic Group of Companies, LTD, a Wisconsinbased conglomerate that holds interests in many varied industries. The company continues to make golf carts, minus the Harley-Davidson name, and also recently acquired the Tomberlin Automotive Group, Inc., an emerging leader in the electric vehicle market.

Columbia Par Car continued with business as usual until 1996 when they changed the golf cart engines to a Briggs & Stratton, 4-cycle 250cc, 9hp Vanguard motor. Around the same time frame, the body style – long modeled after the original Harley-Davidson design – was altered to a 4-wheel-only model, and many see this as the end of the “real” Harley-Davidson golf carts. Prior to the 1984 Columbia Par Car model, HarleyDavidson carts required oil to be mixed with the gas before the company introduced an oil injection system.

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WHO REALLY MADE MY HARLEY-DAVIDSON CART?

Because of the multiple companies that made the carts since they were first introduced, sometimes the era in which a cart was manufactured is a little difficult to nail down.

The most accurate method is to check the VIN and serial numbers, usually mounted on either the rear cross brace near the driver’s side rear tire on gas models or on the inside wall of the battery box on electric versions. In 1970, the company used the letter “H” and a number following it to indicate the year it was built. HO would indicate a 1970-model, H1 a 1971, and so on. In 1980, that letter changed to a “J” followed by a number, so a J1 would be a 1981 model. Beginning in 1982, they began to use “C” for the remainder of that decade, and then a “D” for 1990 models.

Harley-Davidson golf carts – even the later AMF and Par Car models – have a cult-like group of devotees, with many people seeking them out for restoration projects based on their vintage look, unique history and famous name. You can find many examples for sale online, and there are owner’s forums and groups that offer a wealth of information about the brand, including on social media. Depending on the condition and level of restoration, if any, you can find Harley-Davidson carts from under $1,000 to completely restored models selling for nearly $20,000.

You can learn a lot about these classic carts on this Facebook Groups Page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/802025266624785.

To give you an idea of the respected tradition of HarleyDavidson vintage golf carts, a classic, professionally-restored 1969 model won the 2nd Place honors at the 2019 Annual Detroit Autorama Hot Rod Show. Decked out in the iconic, original HD black and orange color scheme, the owner at the

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time offered the cart for sale at $4,300.00, which even included the car show trophy.

Another true classic is a pristine, 1978 AMF HarleyDavidson 3-wheel model that has been restored to betterthan-new condition. The stunning white paint job and crossstitched leather seats are works of art, and the overall vintage appeal of this outstanding resto-cart resulted in the owner asking $18,500.

A company in Wisconsin held an auction featuring early 1970s “3B” model Harley-Davidson carts in unrestored condition. About 10 carts went for final sale prices averaging around $500.00. Of course, getting parts for restoring a classic HD cart can be a bit of a challenge, but that’s part of the intrigue and the fun. There are some online companies who still sell parts for them, some original and some newlymanufactured to match the original specs. A little diligent research can also turn up complete, original repair manuals with all the cart’s specifications and technical information to help with your restoration project.

Many folks love things that represent a vintage era, like older cars and boats, and even golf carts. Aficionados of the Harley-Davidson brand are no different, holding a fond appreciation for these unique vehicles from a time gone by.

-GCMAG