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Recent barn find, unusual Sears Kart. Floor pan rolls up and is attached to under side of front axle. Had remains of Mac45. Any info would be appreciated. T.Hester

have one of those not as nice as yours.
1959 sears racer kart.
was later sold as a fun kart in early sixties.
alleged to be a dog in racing but a fairly rare kart.
not much value but a legit early racer.
dave

Thanks Dave. The only numbers I could get off the metal tag were 536-92240. The Mac45 had the number 0971 stamped on the bottom of the block just above the stuffer.

Hey Thed-
As Dave said it is a '59 or '60 Racer-Kart. According to "The Complete Karting Handbook" (Trend Book 195)

"New Monarch Machine Co., Des Moines, Iowa. This is the kart handled exclusively by Sears, Roebuck & Co., David Bradley division. Meets all standard safety requirements, and uses either two Power Products engines, singly or in pairs. Clever frame design incorporates both seat side rails and rear wheel nerf bars for protection."

I picked up a nice original example a couple weeks ago with a PP H-82 motor. The paint is decent, the upholstery is present and all the stickers are in good shape. Pretty unique and rare kart. The front axle is a total trip, it look like it belongs on a farm tractor, not a race kart. It looks like a tank, but it is actually a lot lighter than the McCulloch R-1 and is a featherweight compared to the Homelite kart.

Dan

Kid named Clinton Rogers had a new one with a '58 in my neighborhood in 1960. His stepdad had refused to buy him a real kart. The front end was from a riding mower, and because it had insufficient caster, the kart was dangerous at speed. Clifford Finchum, Clinton's stepdad, sold it and bought the second generation Sears kart with twin '58's for Clinton. It wasn't much better as a racer, though it looked nicer. You'd have loved Clifford, the old man. One glass eye and a perpetual cigar. TJ

Did he wear the straw hat also Ted?

No, Rob. He was part owner of "Finchum Brothers Construstion Co." and thought he was cool! He was always telling Clinton: "Ya don't NEED no God D#*n money!" The old guy was a hoot. Always kept the glass eye half closed and the stubbie cigar out of the opposite side of his mouth. TJ