Dart Chronology

[VirgLove]

This is my best guess, can you guys help me out on the errors and empry spots. Like wide and narrow hoop and articulated and non-articulated GPs...

59 Dart Kart (Dead Axle) Single and Dual (Dico Steel wheels)
60 Super K (live axle & side pads) & Super K Junior (lighter no cross tank)
61 Road Runner Swing mount (A-Bone predecessor) (Go Power or Rupp Turbine wheels)
62 A-Bone (no front bumper)
63 A-Bone (with front bumper) 5/8 steering shaft
64 Grand Prix uni-mount (articulated), Grand A, A-Bone, Dart 300 (fun kart similar to Super K)
65 Grand Prix, Grand A, A-Bone Grand Prix Enduro (Steel tanks) Dart 300
65 Lancers: GT, Lemans, Special, GTO, Lancer 500 (mirrors of the Darts with the narrow steering hoop and signature brace)
66 Chaparral (Sprint & Enduro), Grand Prix (narrow steering hoop) A-Bone, Dart 300
67 Chaparral, A-Bone, Grand Prix (non-articulated narrow hoop I think), A-Bone, Dart 300
68* Model J Sprint & Enduro ( was sooo bad replaced mid-year by the Model K)
681/2- 70* Series K (Literature has both Series K and Model K)
70/1* Mean Machine Enduro only
* I think Chaparrals, A-Bones and Dart 300 Sprinters/fun karts continued for 69-71

[Chris Marchand]

Virg, 1963 was the intro of the G.P. ,as a one piece frame. Did Rupp continue the G.P. 1966 and on ? I thought the Chapparal replaced it. Happy Holidays, Chris

[Tom Smith]

Virg, The 1966 Grand Prix had a unit frame with a wide steering hoop to incorporate the traditional Grand Prix Nassau panel with the badge. In essence it was a 1965 Grand A now badged as a Grand Prix. Some of the features included the Nassau panel, Uni-mount, 7 qt. fuel tank, aluminum floor pan, Grand Prix wheels (correct Rupp nomenclature for Rupp wheels) and a Chrome 6" Bendix brake. They cost $40.00 less than a Chaparral.
The Super 'K' and 'K' Junior were also available in 1961.
The A-Bone 11 (A-Bone kit) was available starting in 62 thru ?
Chris is correct regarding 63 as the introduction year for the Grand Prix. No front bumper in 63.

66 Grand Prix .JPG

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[VirgLove]

Speaking of correct nomenclature. I read in the ads the ubiquitous Rupp pedals were introduced as "Feather Touch Pedals" Gottalovit...

[kevin brown]

Virg,
Great list thanks for compiling it. So the Abone went from 62 to 71 with the addition of a front bumper and 5/8" steering shaft in 63 are there any other differences that could be used to determine the year of a Abone after that? Or did they stay the same for the life of their production?

On McBobs site http://macbobaust.com/kart_brands2.html He shows a 64/65 Abone. I thought that the model with short nassau panels and attached nameplates or plaques was a Grand Prix. Other than old magazines is there a book or site available with pictures of different brands and or models thru the years?
The Vintage site has the registry but there are no pictures. There is a listing for a 62 Grand Prix. Is that possible or just the owners mistake?

I have wandered through the Ebay vintage kart ads for sale ( the guy does a nice job) amazed at the many brands and models that where produced. Wouldn't it be great if someone with skills compiled a list or set up a thread that could be contributed to with all the various brands and models WITH pictures in one place.
Not unlike McBobs just more complete.

Thanks,
Kevin

[Tom Smith]

Kevin, I think the kart on McBob's site is a Grand A. It's identical to one I had. The aluminum floor pan is a Grand Prix and Grand A feature, I don't think A-Bones had aluminum floor pans. I've seen numerous Grand Prix badges and from memory they have Grand Prix in the middle. The badge in the photo doesn't appear to have Grand Prix on it.
Nassau number panels were an option starting in 61 and were standard on the 63 and up Grand Prix and later Grand As.
There are a lot of miss-identified karts on the internet, especially Rupps.

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[allan savins]

Hi,

Out of interest can, photos be associated with with the models and years to assist the not-so-informed?

In particular, I have a Dart Chaparral, but unsure of how to identify if it is a 66 or 67.

Thanks,
Allan

[Tom Smith]

Speaking of correct nomenclature. I read in the ads the ubiquitous Rupp pedals were introduced as "Feather Touch Pedals" Gottalovit...

Don't forget the Uni-Action steering.
One of the first things you did was lower the tie rod bolt hole pivot location in the pitman arm to slow the Uni-Action steering down, especially on a dual sprint.

[louie figone]

Tom,
Don't forget my '68 A-bone that came from your neck of the woods. One piece aluminum belly pan/seatback (Grand Prix type), single uni-mount, 7 qt fuel tank. This was a factory built A-bone. Tom Corso's '68 A-bone (bought new in '68 has the optional 7 qt fuel tank. I asked Jim Whitehead about mine and he said they would build anything that the dealer wanted.

Louie

[steveohara]

Guys,

Since the subject is on the board again I would like the experts best guess as to the age of my Grand Prix twin. Here is what I know about it... when I bought the kart it had original Rupp silver/blue paint, a 7 quart tank, dual Uni mounts, Bendix drum brake, no third bearing support in the middle, narrow steering hoop, Grad Prix wheels, correct pedals with the rubber coating, correct tie rods, common steering shaft with spline type hub, Azusa type steering wheel and a standard front bumper. The upholstery is smooth black with white beading at the seams and no patches or emblems. There was no evidence that it ever had any kind of modifications.
Well?????
Steve O'Hara