Mystery Kart

[Rob Voska]

I would like to see more pictures. I sent you a PM. Front bumper was not bent like that. Side rails had plates welded in. Lots of Simplex features but just looks "off" to me. Simplex had enclosed axle tube so it's been modified. Hard to drive the engine in the middle of the axle tube. Maybe an early Simplex dead axle with a live axle kit and side bars added?

[ted johnson]

Rob, the Simplexes I've seen have a brace from the lower side tube to the upper tube, right in front of the seat. Also, this steering hoop is sort of a hairpin shape. Simplex hoops had parallel hoop tubes. This hoop looks to have been replaced, maybe. I DO remember that a lot of the live axle Simplexes had open live axles so they could run Mac duals. I don't know if this was a factory option, or a factory kit. The axle tube attachment was bolt-on, so putting an open axle in wasn't a major mod. One more thing: The Simplexes I have seen all had rounded seatback tubes on the top. This one appears to have a squared-off top to the seatback tube. Ted

[Alan Lewis]

Here are a few more pictures I took. This kart has definitely been modified in some areas but not the front half of the kart. I've made an offer and am trying to determine if I want to go through with it, based on what's missing and what I will need to do to take it back close to original. Just may not be worth it.

[ted johnson]

WTF, Alan, it's a COOL kart! What diff does it make if it has been modded? Buy it, run the heck out of it and enjoy it. Heck, the Photon I run is a total home design by Pruit Ginsberg and me. We decided to build a good looking REAR kart that could easily have been built back in the day. I love driving it, and it looks good. I firmly believe it would be welcome at any Vintage event in the country, as would that Simplex. Ted

[Alan Lewis]

Tom Thorin, thank you again for your phone call this afternoon and expert advice. I've decided to pass on the "mystery kart." Just not practical or feasible to restore it affordably. If anyone is interested in this kart, I'd be happy to connect you with the seller. Price I negotiated was $750, less the engine and adapted hydraulic brake set-up.