The E-Z-GO company was started on June 13th, 1954, in a garage in Augusta, Georgia by brothers Billy and Beverly “Bev” Dolan, exactly one day after Bev had retired from the military. The very first golf cars they built used military surplus 24-volt motors which originally operated the wing flaps on the B-17 Flying Fortress. They ran these motors on a 36-volt battery stack to power their original Model 1 design. All E-Z-GO models produced from 1954-1971 were electric powered.
LeisureTime Golf Cars of New Hampton Iowa was lucky enough to find an original E-Z-GO Model 1. This E-Z-GO had spent years living in an old barn and grove of trees just 8 miles south of Leisure Time Golf Cars’ E-Z-GO Dealership. The original serial number tag was intact located on the rear frame. After some research the E-Z-GO Model 1 was confirmed a 1958 model.
Second-generation owner, Nick Noehl, took the opportunity to purchase this piece of golf car history. Bill Noehl, founder of LeisureTime Golf Cars took the lead on the task of restoring the weathered 3-wheel legend of the links!
Nick and Bill brainstormed ideas on how to keep the cosmetic restoration authentic yet make the finished product a functional golf car. After studying the original drivetrain, it was evident that finding any original parts would be impossible. At that point, the decision was made to install a modern drivetrain from an E-Z-GO RXV electric.
Parts inventory from LeisureTime Golf Cars began filling up Bill Noehl’s hobby shop on Sheakley Avenue in New Hampton. A 48-volt Curtis controller, a new wiring harness, new foot pedals, and a new modern rear differential with IntelliBrake technology were fabricated into the frame of the Model 1.
The Model 1 E-Z-GO was stripped to the frame and the frame was media blasted. The rear sheet metal of the golf car was beyond repair, so the old panels were used as a pattern and new sheet metal was laser cut.
One of the original and very limited color selections of the E-Z-GO Model 1 in 1958 was Glenwood Green. This color was revived by E-Z-GO in 2014 when the company celebrated their 60th Anniversary. In celebration of this milestone, E-Z-GO released Glenwood Green as the color of their Limited Edition 2014 E-Z-GO Freedom RXV Anniversary Edition. After extensive research, a PPG paint code was located, and the 1958 E-Z-GO restoration project was off to paint.
The frame along with the new body panels received a beautiful coat of Glenwood Green paint and finished with coats of clear to showcase this one-of-a-kind restoration.
Once all the parts and pieces returned from the paint booth, the installation and restoration took shape. Bill estimates he has 150 hours of labor invested in this fun, yet challenging restoration.
The finishing touches included polishing the original chrome E-Z-GO name badges, adding the period correct side decals, and installing a fully restored set of seats.
Watch for the 1958 E-Z-GO Model 1 RXV Resto-Mod at area golf tournaments, parades, and car shows!
LeisureTime Golf Cars is honored to add this piece of E-Z-GO and American History to their collection.
For more information, contact Nick Noehl at [email protected] or visit www.leisuretimegolfcars.com.
