Harley-Davidson Golf Carts. Did you Know?

Seems like many golfers still love to use or at least collect Harley-Davidson golf carts. It is said (could not verify) that Willy G. Davidson was the man who in 1963 decided to enter the golf cart market with his company offering 2 models in 3 & 4 wheels.

They were very different from what was used on the greens at that time. The colorful golf carts by Harley Davidson took over the golf cart industry by rage. 6 years later, in 1969 the Harley-Davidson golf carts division was sold to AMF (American Machine and Foundry Company) and in 1982 AMF sold the business to Columbia Par Car. The attraction for HD carts started to fade and production stopped. Since then, several companies produce cheap quality Harley-Davidson golf cart replicas. So, if you want an original one, have an expert in golf carts – not in golf – look at it first. And what do you think about this HD pre “bar & shield” logo?

13 Responses to “Harley-Davidson Golf Carts. Did you Know?”


  1. 1 Dave Blevins Mar 10th, 2010 at 9:08 am

    Live to golf, golf to live.

  2. 2 Woody Mar 10th, 2010 at 10:04 am

    Ah, back in around ’78 I had the pleasure of fixing one of those that decided to go head-on with a Cushman flatbed cart. Both drivers were fired (3rd shift in a large factory led to some unusual contests of driving skill) and I remember the parts list came out to more $$$ than my car was worth at the time 😉

  3. 3 Jeff Nicklus Mar 10th, 2010 at 11:07 am

    My senior year in High School my Dad bought a bright red 3 wheel HD Golf Cart, it was very cool! I do recall however my Father being way less than impressed when his eldest Son (me) flipped the cart on its side on the 18th green, while delivering the winners trophies, of a golf tournament he was Chair of ….. I have always known how to make an entrance! ahhh the good old days!

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  4. 4 ian Mar 10th, 2010 at 11:42 am

    Thanks Cyril -I never knew any of that. I like the pre Bar and Shield design – its quite classic – and is that a Sat Nav on the Golf Cart!!!

  5. 5 E.H-57 Mar 10th, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    This emblem is not “pre Bar and Shield” as the Bar and Shield can be seen on the lower left corner!

  6. 6 Cyril Huze Mar 10th, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    The bar & shield logo appears on this golf cart because it’s a restoration and the late logo model has been added when it should be the old one.

  7. 7 gabehcuoD Mar 10th, 2010 at 1:25 pm

    Does Jesse James make wheels and pipes for this Bad Boy?……………………………… LOL

  8. 8 J Mar 10th, 2010 at 2:59 pm

    That logo is pretty cool- how old is that? Pretty contemporary set of pipes depicted there- someone had some vision!

  9. 9 Roadside Marty Mar 10th, 2010 at 5:25 pm

    Believe it or not I actually have two H-D golf carts, but they are the 70’s models that came in white…Roadside Marty

  10. 10 Dave Blevins Mar 10th, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    The “bar and shield” logo was adopted by Harley in 1910, and does not look like either of the logos pictured here, but is similar.
    The “bar and shield” logo we all recognize was adopted in 1965, and is the one seen on the restored golf cart above.
    Perhaps Cyril is referring to the lettering on the plaque as the pre-bar and shield logo, notwithstanding the pipes, stylized eagle, or the live to ride moniker shown with it.

  11. 11 E.H-57 Mar 11th, 2010 at 1:49 am

    When I mentioned the emblem or logo, I did not mean the one that can be seen on the golf cart, but the one on the lower left corner of the other logo, left from the “ride to live”. This seems to be a rather recent design, including Bar and Shield, eagle head with 2in1 pipes and Live to ride…
    Can you see the small orange spot? Tell us more about this emblem.

  12. 12 Joe Mielke Mar 11th, 2010 at 9:23 am

    I got one of these thumpers in my garage. It’s waiting for the day that I have nothing better to do than restore an old crappy golf cart!
    Peace
    Joe

  13. 13 MCBill Mar 15th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
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Cyril Huze