We have seen a few versions of the 1959 Taylor-Dunn Trident here on Barn Finds over the last few years and this one is a little unique. Did I just really say that it’s a little unique? As if all of them weren’t unique? This example can be found here on craigslist in Raytown, Missouri, just southeast of Kansas City. The seller is asking $2,500 which is a relative bargain if you’ve been watching the market for these things. Thanks to Roger for sending in this great find!
This Trident may look basically like a golf cart but.. actually, it is basically a golf cart. Next slide… No, they are fairly hot right now with some brave and wacky people in southern California and in other nice year-round climates actually using them to commute with, in town of course, not on the freeway. Although, in southern California, the side streets probably have a higher mph average than the freeways do.
Taylor-Dunn is still in business today, and they started out making carts to haul chicken feed on and they were a hit so they moved to other types of vehicles. Most of these are battery-powered but some have been converted to gas-power, and this is one of those. The seller says that they haven’t tried to start the gas engine and they don’t give any particulars or any more photos at all inside or out, other than some of the documentation that comes with this one. The gas engine hurts the value but at least it’s easier to “Drop a Hayabusa in it!” now. Would you convert it back to battery power or keep and/or upgrade the gas engine?
Wow…It looks just like my Grandson’s Cozy Coupe. Probably not much bigger. Maybe he’ll want it….LOL. Not for me thanks.
Actually thats a common model and kool with any engine. Not a Deusenberg so originality not a big value impact.
Looks like a bumper car with a roof. No Thanks, maybe if I lived in a retirement community.
You know you wanted to say “LS swap this!” You will be able to burn rubber in 1st….., 2nd…., 3rd…., 4th….. etc. You get the drift. Only problem is it will turn over at the first corner you get to at 5 mph….,6 mph… , 7 mph…., yes, i know.. you get the drift.
The “tiller” steering wheel is way cool though.
By all means, revert it back to electric power! Modern technology today makes an electric powered vehicle more viable than ever. Just install some lithium ion batteries, charge controllers, and a quick charge device from a new BMW EV, solar roof panels to trickle charge the car as you drive it, and you have the recipe for success. Range has always been an issue with electric vehicles but soon, this will be overcome–Just as it was in the early days of the gas powered car. Improvements were made until the gas powered vehicle became a more reliable alternative to the horse. As for me, I’d love to have this car outfitted the way I just
mentioned. That way, I’d be able to get around town after a hurricane knocks out the power grid. While everyone else pays $8-$10 a gallon for a few gallons of gas, my EV would be charging itself while the sun was out. The more I see it, the more I want it! Great find!
Drive it like you stole it – from an amusement park.