My new hot rod . . . golf cart
 

So, I recently sold my lifted golf cart and I was looking for something different. This beat up old rag popped up on Facebook and I had to have it.

Its a 2004 California Roadster. Street legal west coast cart. My plan is to rip off the grandpa parts and try to make it look more like a 32 Ford. We'll see how it goes.

First step is to rip it apart and get the salt damaged chrome off to get replated. It needs a few fiberglass repairs and I will be filling a couple of the holes in the body. I ordered a new windshield yesterday.

Re: My new hot rod . . . golf cart
 

I plan on ditching the roof and the newer style rims. I'll have to convert the 4x100 lug pattern to 4x125 using rim adapters.

My current plan is to swap to a 15" US Wheels Series 51 smoothie with Coker wide whitewalls.

I am also relocating the headlights. They will definitely be moved down. But space is an issue. I cannot move then below the fender line due to turning radius issues. Right now, I am thinking I will move them forward 3" and down 3" to where they sit in tight between the fenders and the radiator.

The red '32 is my inspiration for now...

Re: My new hot rod . . . golf cart
 

Nice..!

Re: My new hot rod . . . golf cart
 

I like your plan, looking forward to watch it happen.

Re: My new hot rod . . . golf cart
 

Thanks!

Thanks!


So, I started checking tire widths and aspect ratios to see what would fit in the tight wheel wells. I discovered the cart has a 2" lowering block on the rear axle so I cant go much lower without airbags. - and that isn't the direction I want to go. I'd have to cut off the fenders.

The current tires 165/70R13's, which should be 6.5" wide and 4.55" tall if my math is correct. So they should be a little over 21" tall

I discovered the Series 51 Smoothies are only offered in a 4x4.25 pattern in the 15" rim. Not a 14". So, slight change of plans. This tightens things up a bit in the wheel wells. But I discovered Coker tire sells a low profile wide whitewall in a 185/55/15. This tire should be (feel free to check my math if anyone is a tire guy) 7.323 inches wide and 3.23 inches tall. Which should also put them around 21" tall.

So I MAY be ok with a larger 15" rims. And I'll still keep the look I was going after. I am a little sticker shocked by the cost of the rims and tires, but c'est la vie. Shes gonna look sweet!

Re: My new hot rod . . . golf cart
 

I spent the past week building another golf cart (to fund my addiction). This one is available for anyone in the southeast who's lookin'!

Before and after...

Re: My new hot rod . . . golf cart
 

So, here is the next update. The body should begin fiberglass repairs this week. Aside from the busted section on the passenger front fender, most repairs are minimal. I will also be filling the roof holes.

The seats are about to go off to upholstery and so I am looking at other interior mods. I've been thinking about the steering wheel quite a bit as I am not a fan of the cheap plastic wheels that I install in most customer carts. But they are cost effective so people jump on them. However, in my head all I can think of is a retro "banjo" steering wheel like you'd see in a lil' deuce coupe.

So, leave it to the folks at FST Forever Sharp steering wheels to come through. They have a hub available that will convert a standard 14" automotive steering wheel over to a golf cart hub.

Here is what I am thinking. I am very torn on the dark wood or the complete stainless.

Re: My new hot rod . . . golf cart
 

so, here’s the latest...

I lost my job at the first of the year. I started building carts at the house so I didn’t have much time to work on the build. But since most folks aren’t buying golf carts, I rolled it out into the sun this week.

I decided to dig out some fiberglass and bondo and start on the body.
I repaired the busted right front fender. It had a large chunk missing so I had to build it up with multiple layers of fabric. It took a total of four attempts to get it right. After getting it sanded and primed I am pumped at the result.

Re: My new hot rod . . . golf cart
 

As I mentioned early in the build, I hate the headlight placement. It looks like a pre war British touring car had a love child with a bulldozer. So I decided to bring them down and give it a little Deuce coupe love.

Re: My new hot rod . . . golf cart
 

Now on to the rear end... in true “hot rodder” fashion, I’m shaving a lot of unnecessary things like the step trim, plate and plate light. I am also replacing the dated 2004 halogen taillights with a set of retro teardrop LED sequential taillights.

Re: My new hot rod . . . golf cart
 

Continued with the taillight delete today. Yesterday I added what I believe is the last layer of fiberglass. I think it took 5 or 6 layers total. Today I sanded the last layer and added the first coat of bondo to level the low spots. I am hoping to finish the big repairs this week and get the body knocked down and ready to paint.

My paint plans for this summer have changed due to my job loss. I am thinking that it will now get a faux patina paint job. More to come on that later. Here is a few pics from the weekend.