Get an Oldsmobile Calais Pace Car Go-Kart for Nostalgia
Serena Aburahma
· 3 min read
Teenagers in the '80s or '90s are all grown up.
Some cars played big parts in these decades, from famous races to famous tragedies. The teens of these times will remember the impact
Princess Diana’s automobile
accident had on the world. These adults now pay tribute to the culture and people of the decades they left behind by collecting nostalgic items, including
classic cars
. A restored 1985 Indy 500 pace car go-kart is gaining popularity among collectors. The scaled-down replica of the bright red Oldsmobile Calais can accommodate an adult despite its small size.
The 1985 Oldsmobile Calais pace car
In 1985 the Oldsmobile Calais was selected as an Indy 500 Pace car to be driven by James Garner. Only two of them were custom-built, designed strictly for on-track performance.
The exterior? A metallic Candy Red with a red and silver leather interior.
The engine was a 4-cylinder, 165/215 hp, which seems rather mild-mannered for a race track like the Indy's fame. The actual race car was a convertible meant more for parading than tearing up the track.
Now the 1985 Calais pace car might be found anywhere novelty collector's cars are sold. It was once labeled by detractors as one of the worst Indy race cars ever produced. But for some, the Oldsmobile Calais pace car is an ‘80s icon worth seeking out.
This Calais pace car go-kart is cooler than you think
The Oldsmobile Calais pace car go-kart looks like a lucky kid's favorite toy. Yet it is not unusual to see the grown men who own one zipping through the neighborhood with glee. The miniature version is more fun and a lot less expensive than the actual car.
One particular kart comes fully equipped with a rebuilt 127-cc Briggs and Stratton engine.
According to
The Drive
, the car needed some major restoration, but to maintain authenticity, the go-kart shines in candy red with the original official pace car stickers kept on. To complete the restoration the car has a reupholstered seat, new drive chain, and fresh paint complete. Best of all, the go-kart is able to accelerate to the speed of 25 to 35 miles per hour. And the asking price of $1,750 is hard to beat.
There is no doubt the Bird Company-manufactured kart needed a bit of TLC when it was purchased. But the end result is a kid-sized replica that celebrates a glorious era of Indy 500 pace cars.
Where can I find an Oldsmobile Calais pace car go-kart?
Facebook marketplace is a good place to start. You can narrow your search down to Facebook groups like Radwood Classified for era-specific automobile-related news and merchandise. Online forums in your own community are also great resources.
Online marketplace websites, including eBay and Amazon, are accessible around the clock. Both new and used go-karts are often listed and, when purchased, can be delivered right to your door. Of course, finding the 1985 Oldsmobile Calais pace car go-kart of your dreams might require patience and luck.
Snagging an Oldsmobile Calais pace car go-kart is a win for collectors of memorabilia from the ‘80s and for Indy 500 fans. It may not be one of the two real pace cars made that year, but it’s sure to bring out smiles as you zip around the neighborhood in style.
