The predecessor to Westinghouse is the Marketeer Company. A brief history is in order to properly account the history of Westinghouse and their electric golf cart.
Merle Williams started the Marketeer Company in the midst of WWII, when gas rationing wan in effect. He designed and developed a compact electric vehicle for his wife. As other saw his marvelous creation they called for more and so the company was born. It was not until 1951 that he developed the first electric vehicle designed specifically for playing golf. Peggy and Merle sold Marketeer to Westinghouse in 1965.
Westinghouse continued to build electric golf carts and other electric vehicles till the they sold the business to Nordskog Industries in 1978. The most popular Westinghouse electric golf cart is probably the four wheel 436 series
Today’s current economic situation is not that different that the times of William Merle, we are in the middle of fighting a war, gas may not be rationed but it is getting so expensive that the average man can’t afford it. And the current hot phrase, is to “go green”. And everyone is singing the praise of going electric. You would think it was a new concept .The truth is that there is nothing really “new” about electric vehicles at all. They have gone by the wayside with the advent of gas powered machinery, lost like the Stanley Steamer, electric carts where discarded from a very long time, but they are making a come back. And in fact in small, but growing circle, they never really left.
Many vintage Westinghouse golf carts are still available and there are quite a few collectors, enthusiasts and admirers, still today. Following is a comprehensive list of a few supplier of vintage electric golf carts and their parts and service.
Fairway Golf Carts in Palm Harbor, Florida USA. Jerico Enterprises in Montrose Minnesota.USA Kenfield Golf Cars Austin Texas USA Vintage Golf Cart Parts Port Townsend Washington USA New England Golf Cars Seekonk Massachusetts USA Fairway Golf Car Corp Medford New York USA Kenfield Golf Cars Austin Texas USA Golf Carts Of Texas Kemah Texas USA Vintage Golf Cart Parts Port Townsend Washington USA Carts Plus (division of AutoPlace) Kelowna British Columbia Canada
There are also a good many classified available on line and the prices found range $600.00 to $1,200.00 and up depending on year and condition.
There are also a few clubs and newsletters that allow vintage Westinghouse electric golf cart enthusiasts to connect and share stories, ideas, trade parts and more. Most electric batteries contain 8 volts and last about eight hours on a full charge. A great economical way to get around and a wonderful collector’s item as well.