Three go karts

I got a call recently to remove three go karts from a woman's back yard. I got there and quoted her a price to haul them away which she was glad to pay. I was happy because I quickly realized they could easily be sold for parts or repair. Two of them are frames mostly and are missing some things, i figure they oughta be worth a hundred apiece at least. The third is a complete kart which I haven't yet been able to fire up but it wants to start. Several hundred dollars for that one alone. New ones look like they're selling in the vicinity of $1700.00. These are nice metal framed karts with what looks like lawn mower motors for power.

I had them on the truck before she told me someone dumped them on her property. Now I'm freaking out. I really want to sell these, but what if they're stolen? Do I call the cops and turn them in to wait to find out? Cut them up for scrap and move on? These have way more than scrap value. Any advice?

I agree with Bear. If they have serial numbers, call the police and ask if they been reported stolen. If not, then good to go.

depends if their 2 stroke or 4 stroke, I had a racing cart that ran a 2 stroke McCulloch. Later ones ran the 4 stroke Briggs. Here this might help; Rear Engine American Racers - Vintage Karts: Rupp, Margay, SAE, Bug, GoKart, Dart, Hoffco, McCulloch, West Bend, Power Products, Homelite....

Thanks, Mechanic. Those are exactly the kinds of karts I am talking about.

Could be vintage, mine used to have a Mac motor running alcohol, but some of the guys did run the Briggs. Smell the gas tank to see if it smells like varnish, could be your problem if they've sat around.

Could also be just backyard carts, not worth nearly as much.

If it's a 2 stroke Mac motor it needs mixed gas/oil like a boat motor.

Now that I think about it, mine had no serial no. tag on it either. The old style with the motor on the back we called an A-bone, if they had a motor beside you we called them sidewinders.

On ours running alcohol we could hit 90 mph in the straightaways.