If I told you I had located an original, unmolested, and rust-free C1 Corvette that runs and drives for under $5,000, most readers would agree that Adam has finally lost the plot. However, I honestly have. The fact that it is a pint-size reproduction is a minor detail because it is still a rare and desirable classic. Okay, it is actually a 1950s Yard-Man Corvette Go Kart that was built in very limited numbers. It is ideal for an enthusiast seeking an interesting piece of garage art or someone who wants to complement their existing genuine Corvette with a cool replica. The Yard-Man is listed here on Craigslist in Tucson, Arizona. It could be yours for $4,500, and while that isn’t cheap, recent sales results could justify that figure. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this wonderful vehicle.
Yard-Man commenced business in Jackson, Michigan, in the 1930s. As the name suggests, the company’s primary focus was on lawnmowers, although it did diversify. This included producing various Go Karts, which could be ordered directly from the manufacturer or off the floor at Sears and Roebuck. The seller describes this as a 1960 model, but my research suggests it was built in 1958. My belief is based on the vehicle’s Serial Number. Yard-Man produced two distinct runs of the Corvette, with the First Generation carrying Serial Number 6032-0. The Second Generation was 6032-1, with this car featuring the lower number. It was a “toe in the water” exercise for the company, with only 200 Karts emerging initially in 1958. They produced a further 300 during the second run, and it is worth noting that while the price of $156.95 sounds cheap, it equates to around $1,690 today. That made the Yard-Man a serious investment for what was essentially a children’s toy. The seller refers to it as unrestored, with its original Turquoise and White paint showing its age. However, the fiberglass body, carrying the design hallmarks of a 1958 Corvette, is in good order, with no cracks or other issues. The windshield seen in some of the supplied photos isn’t correct, with the original featuring clear plastic and a chrome edge strip. However, the Corvette rolls on its correct wheels, which retains the factory color.
Yard-Man thought carefully when developing the Go Kart, basing the vehicle on a robust welded tube frame. The single seat is adjustable fore and aft, tailoring the Corvette to individual needs. Power comes from a 2½ hp Tecumseh four-stroke engine. The single-speed drive is via a belt and chain, with brakes on the rear wheels. These are a surprise packet because while the engine is governed for safety, the Yard-Man can still hit 11mph. I have read that some enterprising owners did bypass the governor, allowing these little beasts to reach nearly 20mph! This Corvette is mechanically original, unmolested, and in excellent mechanical health. It runs and drives without issues or problems, ready to provide a new generation of pint-size enthusiasts with motoring fun.
This 1950s Yard-Man Corvette Go Kart demonstrates that there is incredible diversity in the classic world. Its rarity makes it a genuinely interesting vehicle, although some readers may question the seller’s price. I undertook research before beginning this article, locating a freshly restored example that sold for $2,950 in 2023. This one is original, and the price may seem high if taken at face value. However, the sale I refer to was for a roller that was missing its engine and drive system. Therefore, the originality of this one justifies the figure. If a genuine 1958 Corvette is beyond your financial means, perhaps this is a viable alternative.
That is so cool, and much more usable then the electric BMW X5 I bought for my granddaughter.
She wants a Rolls Royce now. A real one, lol.
Smart GIRL! 💎 L 👑 O 🏰 L. 💍. Is her name ZSA ZSA? NEVER GABORing? 😉
Found this body in a salvage yard 35+ years ago and was going to build a go cart for my sons. Go carts and mini bikes came and went but never anything that this body would fit on.
I recently retired and have been going through my barn deciding what I’m not going to live long enough to get done and this is probably one of those projects. May have to have some barn find auctions soon!
Where you located thank you
Carlos, central Minnesota
i have one just like that out in my shop
been there for over 25 years
I was the recipient of the Sears version. Although it was minus the Corvette body. I was 10 at the time when my dad pulled up in his ‘56 210 Chevy wagon. I was beside myself! literally wore it out!
At age 75 now, I did a little research and learned that Sears purchased a remaining stock of chassis’ from Yardman and marketed it under the David Bradley brand and called it a “Sport Kart”. There were apparently couple of variants. The belt/chain drive combination on the Vette version was all belt on the Sears version.
A well researched article, as usual. What the author missed, is I believe these were on contract from GM as a dealer promotional item. Fact is, I didn’t think the general public could buy one outside of a dealer. Naturally, doesn’t surprise me about Sears,,,they had EVERYTHING,,,was the motto. I had that “clutch” type setup on our Murray go kart, just a belt tensioner, but it worked. Lucky was the kid that got one of these babys, and the place to ride it. Hours of fun, 11mph is probably the limit before serious injuries, research showed, and I all but guarantee, anyone that had one of these, went on to the real thing,,,eventually. Be advised on Tecumseh. Great motors, but they are kaput almost 20 years, and parts may be an issue. We’ll leave that up to the kid that gets this to figure out, I hope.
You could drop in a SBC, right?
Or at least do a Briggs & Stratton transplant….
That’s why those little motors are bringing upwards of $500…..
Interesting that these originated in `58, as the color is very close to the turquoise Chevy offered in `60. A friend has a red/white one he found at a swap meet yrs ago.
Could this plastic windshield be sanded and buffed to get the yellow out?
You’d have been the coolest kid on the block with one of these. Everyone wanting to take turns. Only thing more fun would have been two.
First time this Vintage Rolls Canardly has actually seen one of these. Long time DeSoto fan recalls 57 🤔 pedal car base on DeSoto as a promotional item. Sadly DeSoto and SEARS are gone. SEARS once passed F. W. WOOLWORTH as The World’s Largest Store. Owning radio station WLS, retail stores, catalog business, own brands Roebuck jeans, Craftsman tools, and I believe ALLSTATE lnsurance .At one time SEARS sold complete houses (not assembled). We have several in our town. Time keeps rolling right over us! 😢. MEMORIES light the corners of what’s left of my mind! 😉
WLS stood for “World’s largest store.
Growing up in western Minnesota, WLS was a late night staple, only way to hear Rock and Roll!
Yep! Those were the days! Dick Biondi, the Wild Italian and so many others. Now it’s hard to find any good MUSIC on radio SIRIUS ly! 😉
I built a couple of these as a kid but mine looked like the picture of the stripped frame and engine. WLS got all the way to the deep south at night and I had it on while working on my cars. WLAC in Nashville also put out good blues and rock.
Dick was in North myrtle beach womb when I was young. He had similar energy in person he presented on the air.
I first saw one of these after my dad bought his first new car, a 1960 Chevy Impala. The dealer in Michigan had two a white and turquoise one. I lusted after that little car even though I was only 5 at the time. Funny thing is I never forgot it. My gear head senses developed early….. Hahaha!
Buy it now while you’re still alive! You’ll be the biggest Kid on the block or state with one! lol 😝 life is not over until it’s over! 🏎️💨🍻
Maybe one of the “little cars” the Shriners used to drive in parades.
Excellent article Adam. Cool vehicle.
Maybe this is where Colin Chapman came up with the design for the Lotus Europa.
Had the later Manco Vette version which I sold recently….kids just out grew it.
Hello again, RICK W! You overlooked the 1952 Allstate car, which was a less “bare vones” version of the Henry J., and which Sears and Roebuck actually sold for less than the Henry J.! In 1955, my very-much-younger cousin (who has since passed away from pancreatic cancer, sadly) had a 1955 Ford Thunderbird which was powered from a battery running an electric motor. No idea what became of it. He urged me to try it, but it was too small for an adult to fit into and operate. Ah! WLS-890 and WLAC-1510! I remember both of these! And many others also. WLS is clear up here in the Adirondacks, but WLAC, not so much. I can HEAR WLAC, but they are directional at night, covering the South and upper midwest: they have huge “nulls” (or, holes) in their signal up toward us, and out towards Seattle, to protect what used to be strong 1510 stations in Boston and Washington State. Neither of those now has much in the way of nighttime power; hence, despite a weak signal, WLAC is still easy to hear. Both WLS and WLAC now are conservative talk-show stations. What was the name of the record shop in Nashville that used to sell compilation-packages of R&B “oldies” on WLAC? — and who was the disk-jockey there associated with that? Who could forget Dick Biondi? He was on 1520-WKBW in Buffalo, before he was on WLS. He got into a dispute with the management of “Radio-One-KB” in Buffalo, over a record they did not want him to play. So he locked himself into the studio and played it over and over. When he finally emerged, they fired him: he took his shoes off and nailed them to the studio-door and declared, “You’ll never find anyone able to fill these!” Next thing we knew, he was on WLS, where he remained for years. He was a “character”, to say the least! He passed away only quite recently, at the age of 90. “Cousin Brucie” (Bruce Morrow — WABC — New York — 770) is in his late 80s now, having a blast in doing his show on Saturday nights. He no longer has the sheer energy he did around 1960 when he raved-away at a largely teen audience; but those “tenns” are now about 80 themselves, and are perfectly in-tune with the more nostalgic and laid-back “Cousin Brucie”. He plays too many 1960s and 1970s records for my taste, and never plays much of anything earlier than 1955 — so most of my favourites are excluded. I want to hear things such as, “A Tree In The Meadow”, “Enjoy Yourself (It’s Later Than You Think)”, “Cruising Down The River”, “Dear Hearts And Gentle People”, “On The Boardwalk (In Atlantic City)”, “The Dickey Bird Song”, “Frenesi” — I could go on and on, but I risk DATING myself! As for those songs just listed; if you know, you KNOW! And you probably are about the same age as I (smile).
Yes indeed! Not sure but think Don McNeil Breakfast club was on WLS on maybe WGN. Kukla,Fran,and Ollie featuring Fran Allison and Garfield Goose were TV favorites. Fran also did Aunt Fannie on Breakfast Club, first on radio then TV! Much later (1970s) Barskis Morning Zoo got me moving every morning on DISCO DAI. At our ages, we have to date ourselves! Remember the classic Too Old to Cut the Mustard?
Ho.a was spot on . I had one of these as a kid. My mother won it on a general mills contest. 1st prize was a real one second prize was the go cart. It was a contest Sponsored by General mills and GM
I would have killed for something like this as a kid. Talk about nostalgic!
To RICK W: “He’s a-gettin’ too old — too old — he’s too old to cut the mustard anymore…” Rosemary Clooney and Marlene Dietrich — 1952, as I recall. I remember the lines about “the uniform he wore at Bunker Hill” and “gals, before you do submit, make him show his birth certificate” (or, close to that). LOTS of records I remember well, from that time and earlier. Those were fun years!