The history of the Taylor-Dunn Manufacturing Company is mentioned in this eBay posting, but I’ll give a quick run-down. The Taylor-Dunn Trident is an exercise in the philosophy of “necessity is the mother of invention.” A farmer was in need of an easy way to transport chickens, so they built a motorized cart. Neighboring farmers liked it so much, they commissioned their own, and the Taylor-Dunn Trident was born. You can find this one-of-fifty-one 1959 model here on eBay, with a recent full restoration having been completed just last year.
The seller doesn’t include any images of the mechanicals of the cart, but you can expect to find a 24-volt lead-acid battery setup and an electric motor. This gives about 50 miles of range and a top speed of around 20 miles per hour, give or take. You aren’t going to be taking this on the Autobahn, but as an around-town runabout, this is just about perfect. It’s got enough room inside to store groceries, has full lighting for safety, and even room for two people. You could be a real-life version of Mr. Fischoeder, antagonizing your burger-flipping tenants on your little cart.
Its restoration was just completed in 2020, so everything is clean and straight. The light green paint is especially beautiful, with zero orange peel and a decidedly atomic-age silver stripe going down the beltline. Inside, there’s a replacement bench seat finished in a period-correct patterned blue cloth. All this riding on bias-ply tires and steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps and red trim. That red, green, and blue palette really goes together well and looks positively festive and completely at home on a small, sunny island.
This Trident is turn-key ready and street legal as a “neighborhood electric vehicle” (NEV). There are restrictions on where you can and can’t drive an NEV depending on where you live, though you’d be pretty safe just assuming that you can’t drive it on the highway. Still, though, always be knowledgeable in your local laws and regulations so you can be informed when and if you get pulled over–because this is bound to attract all kinds of attention. And maybe that’s a good thing. If you have a short commute and don’t need a Tahoe to go a mile down the road but need more than a bicycle, this will be sure to make people smile as you silently motor on by.
Fantastic write-up, Ben!
Taylor-Dunn is still in business making electric, gas, diesel, and LP Gas powered vehicles for mostly commercial, government, and industrial and manufacturing industries. Some of their designs are still kind of goofy, but cool looking. Back in the 1980’s, I drove a TD tow motor with 3 – 4 utility trailers hitched to it. Top speed was about 25 – 30 mph, which was plenty fast enough in a manufacturing plant. They have the most obnoxiously pitched horn that most drivers blare constantly while driving.
https://www.taylor-dunn.com/en-us/vehicles/
Where do you put the chickens?
Agreed. That seems a little far-fetched.
Ten large and reserve not met. Yikes!
0 to 60 in 3 1/2 days.
Looks really cool and the resto is top notch, but too expensive for a ‘golf cart’ and I would want some kind of top before I would consider driving it around the neighborhood here in FL.
I don’t see much room for the chickens.
But Bob’s Burgers Rule!
One cylinder electric engine?
Speaks volumes about someone’s knowledge.
Motors = electric. Engines = internal and external combustion.
noun
noun: motor; plural noun: motors
a machine, especially one powered by electricity or internal combustion, that supplies motive power for a vehicle or for some other device with moving parts.
Now what do you think a lexicographer would actually know about the subject? The words are sometimes used interchangeably, by the unknowing. Funny that the term “electric engine” doesn’t roll right out of one’s mouth.
Up past $10,000 now on Da’bay…that’s crazy …. and to think I would be hard pressed to get $10,000 for my 1926 Model T Armadillo Speedster ……. What was that song from the 1960’s , “It’s a strange Strange world we live in , Master Jack” ? yes, it is .
Yes it’s a classic, and rare,and even has a cute face…but only for the deep pockets, who rarely see rain!
Ended:
Jun 07, 2021
Current bid:
US $10,300.00
[ 27 bids ]
Item location:
Fenton, Missouri
Reserve not met
Uh, it’s a golf cart