Need advice on dart kart

[Chris Marchand]

Looks like the pedals were changed for a shorter driver , maybe ? The small steering shaft is confusing , I thought that was 61 and before. Nice piece, run it Mikeee !

[Tom Smith]

61 A-Bone. The pedals were mounted in front of the axle in 62.

62 A-Bone exploded line drawing .JPG

(804.89 KiB) Not downloaded yet

Rupp news letter .JPG

(821.39 KiB) Not downloaded yet

[Mike Anderson]

Hi Guy's
Thanks for all the help identifying this kart. So does it have any decent value or should I just run it into the ground at the Big One next years?
Thanks Mike (317)729-2418

[Ronald Cubel]

Early 62 abone pictures are in the catalog they produced in late 61 showing one of the first production runs using go power wheels. It sure looks like thats it with fox pedals. My 63 grand prix had 1/2 shaft...ron

[Tom Smith]

The only other 61 Dart Karts I've ever seen with swing mounts and Go Power wheels are the ones the Dart Kart Racing Team used themselves. The 62 A-Bone is basically a recreation of the 61 racing team kart design.
I don't believe they raced any Super Ks in 61 and I know the 61 K Junior didn't have a swing mount either.
Since the original holes for the pedals are still in place behind the front axle on your kart I'm saying it's a 1961 chassis and could well be somewhat rare. Actually I'm not even sure the name A-Bone was in existence in 1961.
There are other possibilities also, a lot of earlier karts that came with solid mounts got converted to swing mounts around that period.
The attached image is sourced from the 1962 A-Bone catalog and it's of the 1961 Overall Grand National Champion Dart Kart. Note that the pedals are located behind the front axle. The original paint was Bristol Blue enamel.

1961 Dart Kart .JPG

(803.84 KiB) Not downloaded yet

[Mike Anderson]

Thanks Tom,
I think this was always a swing mount kart. There is actually another attachment plate on the right side for duals. Also the paint looks very original. Hard to believe it was ever repainted. Minor touchup where the pedal stands were welded on otherwise looks original. I an not even convinced that the front axle supports were added. Paint looks right.
Thanks Mike (317)729-2418

[Tom Smith]

Mike, Another give away that it's a 61 are the spindle steering arms with the welded gussets, the 62 and later steering arms were stamped one piece. Just the fact that it still has the original 1/2" steering shaft lends one to think that it never did much or any GKCA/IKF racing later on. I wouldn't run it into the ground, more like try and preserve it's current condition if nothing else.

[david a luciani]

i could be wrong but didn't rupp offer the axle support as an option?
think i saw that in an old catalog.
dave

[John Swartout]

Actually, the A-Bone name was in existence in 1961. It appeared on back cover of July 1961 Karting World Magazine.And the 'Road Runner' was listed on the back of November 1961 KW.

John

[Tom Smith]

Actually, the A-Bone name was in existence in 1961. It appeared on back cover of July 1961 Karting World Magazine.And the 'Road Runner' was listed on the back of November 1961 KW.
That confirms it's a 61 A-Bone.
Is that the ad that reads, *91 lbs. of Fury all new from Dart Kart A-Bone?
That's on the back cover of Aug. 61 Racing Karts also.