Bug

[Dominic Salvato]

Is this Bug worth $500? I haven't seen what was under the plywood in the back but the wheels are suppose to be un-damaged.

[david a luciani]

what year is it.
i have one like that but the seat looks very different .
will look at it tomorrow and see.
i also have a couple of older ones but again looks a little off compared to them.
hope this helps
dave

[Dominic Salvato]

I think it is a Wasp. 63's had spot disc brakes. Maybe 64 Bug Wasp?

[Mike Reller]

Manco wheels. Were they an option? He sure did'nt waste any money masking tape. The Bug on Ebay @ $200 looks like a better deal. There are some deals out there. I'm going to pick up a Mac kart today for $30. It will need a lot of work but it's at least solid, and comes with 2 of the original wheels.

[ted johnson]

Dominic. Most definitely a Bug! That seat shape appeared on the '63 Wasp. Pretty rare kart. The wheels are the '63 Trophy wheels... Very rare. If they're unbroken, they sell for pretty good money. If the frame is restorable, and the wheels are usable, BUY IT! Ted

[Dan Flanders]

It is definitely a '63 Bug Wasp, it is the first year with that seat shape. Also, it appears that the seat is steel and welded to the frame which is correct for the '63 vs aluminum and riveted as seen in the later Bug Sprints. Another tell-tale sign is the lip at the front of the seat pan. Bug was experimenting with a pressure fit pan (no rivets or bolts) that slides on top of the tabs, it was supposed to help the chassis flex better.

The rims are Hands Spyder magnesium rims...Super rare and probably worth $500 alone (If they aren't beat all to hell) because they almost never come up for sale and they are the correct rims for the '62 and '63 Bug karts. Check the drivers left side seat rail, there should be a serial number under all that paint, at least there is one on mine.

The kart appears to very complete even down to the correct steering wheel and steering shaft. You can verify this because the shaft uses a cotter key rather than a splined adapter for the steering wheel. Other than the Sherman Williams restoration, its definitely a good deal at $500. Definitely not a $100 Craigslist score, but still a good price all things considered. I would buy it I didn't have a baby on the way and a unfinished Wasp in storage.

We've got a review of the kart posted at the Archives and I've got an original set (seat and jewel pad) of upholstery if you need to borrow it. Terry Armstrong and I used it as a template to have new sets built, the upholsterer did a great job, but told us it would cost a fair bit more for additional sets because he underestimated the complexity.

Dan

[ted johnson]

Dan, thanks for remembering the wheels were Hands instead of Trophy. We sold several '63 Wasps back then, but my memory ain't what it once was! All the ones we sold had the aluminum seat, but that's not to say that some were'nt made with a steel seat. Still, this one looks as though it's been added. Good find! TJ

[Dominic Salvato]

dr_edd64@hotmail.com For Sale $575 /Kart located in Seattle.