We’re only a couple of days into the new year, but this could be the bargain of 2020 so far. We have seen a few Taylor-Dunn vehicles here over the last decade or so and they’re becoming quite collectible with prices for nice examples rising well past $10,000. This 1960 Taylor-Dunn Trident EV can be found here on craigslist in beautiful Mesa, Arizona – seemingly the perfect region for a small battery-powered vehicle that could double as a golf cart. The seller is asking $1,500 which would be a bargain. Thanks to Pat L. for sending in this tip!
There have been a few of these l’il vehicles that have sold for well over $10,000 in the last few years, even up to $16,500 for a very nice example at a Sotheby’s auction in 2013. In that link, they mention one selling for $30,000 at an auction when Bruce Weiner closed his famous Microcar Museum. I never got to visit that museum and it’s haunted me ever since.
Taylor-Dunn is still in business today, even stronger than ever. From their website: “Taylor-Dunn is the leading provider of commercial and industrial vehicle solutions with a broad portfolio of electric, LPG and gas powered personnel, burden, and tow vehicles which are used in industry and commerce across the United States and throughout the world.” You can see that the example for sale here will need a lot of work, but they’re small and a person could restore it over the winter and still turn a nice profit in the spring. There’s a fairly big storage area behind the seat that’s accessed by the door in the rear. That space houses the charger, or it does on some models, and the seller says that they have a charger that will work.
The seller doesn’t show us any photos of the power system or batteries, and they say that the four batteries that they put in it to test it out made it come to life. Here’s a YouTube video of it in action. Very cool. The four batteries don’t come with it and you can see that it’ll need a full restoration on the “interior”, too, not to mention a new windshield. That shouldn’t be too hard since it’s basically a curved piece of plexiglass. The motor should be a 1-hp model and the four batteries would be mounted under the seat. Either a tiller, as shown here, or a steering wheel would have been available. I would love to have one of these hot little EVs, is this one worth taking a gamble on?
That is one HOMELY looking vehicle! However, since one was auctioned off at $16,500!?!, I suppose $1,500 is a bargain! GLWTSA!! :-)
These look like a Pixar animation. Absolutely cool!
A face only a mother could love and a one hp motor and 4 batteries, might get a couple blocks. Like the Cushman, probably for like factories, or indoor use, be nuts to take it on a road. Maybe a gas motor somehow, but electrics just won’t cut it. Cool find.
Still use Taylor-Dunn burden carriers and tugs at the plant I work at, but these days they are much more square and boring. This curvy thing would blow their minds if I was to start using it on the factory floor.
These were actually designed and built specifically to be used as a street car, a grocery getter. Street legal, including turn signals, brake lights, high and low beam headlights, and 3 speeds. They go 50 miles on a single charge, and went upwards of 30 mph. just filling you in, you appeared to be giving out false info passively. ty for your time… David L. Hardy, H & H Automotive
I like it’s “face”- reminds me of the gas (Wisconsin) powered late 50’s golf cart my dad bought me when I was 12. FL highway patrol chased me through the neighborhood at 20mph tops and chastised me for driving without a license or tag. Those guys had no sense of humor.
Ad pulled.
Cool video.
Scotty, I love it! Would’ve been a great
little runabout to take me to the smoke
shop and back. It would look even better
painted red with a white top and a rolled
and pleated red and white interior. Here
in Florida, you can drive these on side streets without a license provided they
don’t exceed 25 MPH. I myself know
many disabled people who use golf carts
and other LEVs as primary transportation
due to the fact that bus service to some
parts of our town is sketchy or doesn’t
exist at all. And since there’s no bus service in our neighborhood, I’d use
something like this to get where I want to
go without asking someone for a ride all
the time. Just add a solar panel to the roof and charge it while you drive it.
I knew it was too good to last long, it’s already gone. The seller wrote me back saying that he had just sold it.
Your wife is probably still smiling about that Scotty!
She already had another angry letter addressed to you, Pat… You’ve probably “forced” me to buy a few vehicles here by sending in such great tips over the years.
All wrong, they are actually a 3 speed setup, using large copper resistor coils, and they do remarkably well, even down to 24volts. they were not built as golf carts, nor were they indoor, they were built to drive to town to pick up groceries, LITERALLY! And they do a fine job. I own a 1960 myself, and i love it, it zips around with plenty of capacity. and turns every head it passes.
Ive got one, its a 1960, all restored, light blue and white with rolled and pleated seat and armrests, Cloth headliner, no doors, white top has tiller steering, but has acc. and brake foot controls, which are rare with the tiller, headlights turn signals and brake and running lights. all original except the 1962 cadillac bullet taillights. Interested?
Kind of cute I’d paint a Charlie Chaplin mustashe on the front with a bowler hat on the top. I’d also put a small gas engine in it and I change to two front wheels and a steering wheel. This would be good for some one in a gated community or retirement community.
That little car looks constipated lol.
Still better than a SMART
Like……..
I restored the one that sold for 16,500 about 6-7 years ago
Hi Marty. I bought this barn find how did you make the windshield. Message me pinzthing73@yahoo.com.
Hi Marty, I just bought a GT 338 and have searching the net for a manual and info without much luck. I’m told it runs but has no batteries. Any advice you could throw my way would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Debbie
Ive got one, its a 1960, all restored, light blue and white with rolled and pleated seat and armrests, Cloth headliner, no doors, white top has tiller steering, but has acc. and brake foot controls, which are rare with the tiller, headlights turn signals and brake and running lights. all original except the 1962 cadillac bullet taillights. Interested?