Garia Edition Soleil de Minuit: The World’s Most Expensive Golf Cart
I really can’t fathom how it got to this point. I have no clue to how it even evolved into this.
The venerable golf cart was originally designed for golfers with disabilities in the latter stages of the 1940s. However, it was Merle Williams and his Marketeer Company that modified a buggy originally designed for use in a supermarket into the first mass-produced golf mobile in the early 1950s. Being the lazy sportsmen that we are, the carts became extremely popular and spawned many competitors. In essence, these early versions were the first electric vehicles available to the general public.
Look at this roster of cart manufacturers.
The ever-popular E-Z-Go carts started in 1954 and were built with surplus 24-volt motors, which were initially designed to operate the flaps of a B-17 airplane.
In 1955 Cushman introduced its three-wheel golf cart. This early version featured the now non-existent tiller steering.
The ubiquitous Club Car debuted in 1960 and had four wheels and a steering wheel.
In 1961 Taylor-Dunn introduced the Tee-Bird line of carts that featured a 36-volt power plant.
In 1963 even Harley Davidson got into the act with its three-wheel version. A four-wheel version would be added shortly after.
Pargo golf carts featured a new differential braking system on their carts in 1965. They, too, were three wheelers with tiller steering.
Yamaha entered the market in the late 1970s. In fact, they built a manufacturing plant in Georgia to keep up with demand.
Over the years golf carts morphed into many versions. The NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle) became popular in retirement communities. The carts have become the vehicle of choice of concierges and resorts as efficient people movers. Security companies have adopted them for their economy. Businesses wanting a GUV (Golf Utility Vehicle) use them every day as warehouse transport. In fact they are seen as normal around campgrounds, hospitals, shopping malls, car dealerships, and apartment complexes.
Today the gold standard of golf carts has to be the new Garia golf cart. Billed as the “Ultimate European Luxury Golf Cart,” it excels in automotive quality, design and superior driving experience. Valmet Automotive builds it, which is where the Porsche Caymen and Porsche Boxster are produced. Vehicles of Think City and the all-new Fisker Karma also contract with Valmet. The Italian company that produces Ducati gearboxes builds the drive chain. Definitely top cabin all the way. All this has a price, it retails starting at $17,499.
That it is a multi-purpose vehicle is no doubt. It’s street legal and equipped with front/tail lights, including parking/low/high Hella bi-halogen headlamps, turn signals and Hella integrated brake lights. The frontend features a mini storage space under the hood, and after removing golf bag holders, it can turn the rear end into a mini pickup arrangement.
It has an automotive grade fixed extra large glass windshield, which can be heated and comes complete with a washer system. A sport suspension with extended wheelbase provides the driver with an unmatched roomy and comfortable driving experience. The soft touch dashboard features four cup holders and a digital instrument panel that provides information on speed, battery status, lights, turn signals, heated windshield, and more. All four wheels have hydraulic brakes, with discs in the front and drums in the rear. The roof is lined and has an air scoop to channel fresh air to the cockpit. The Garia’s steering wheel is cast in one-piece aluminum, inspired by the world’s most exclusive automobiles.
Now, however, it can also be described as the “World’s Most Expensive Golf Cart.”
Garia recently unveiled the Garia Edition Soleil de Minuit limited edition golf cart at the Top Marques Monaco luxury show in April. Designed exclusively for the show, the Garia Edition Soleil se Minuet is the most expensive golf cart ever manufactured. It rings the bell at $52,000.
The options read like shopping at automotive superstore JC Whitney with amenities like Harlekin stitching on seat and waste bin, piano black steering wheel with orange stitched Alcantera, black Alcantera headliner, carbon-fiber roof, 12-inch rims, dashboard refrigerator, two-color hand-stitched seats with adjustable-length seating, and racing stripes. And my personal favorite is the ability to match the color to your personal vehicle.
The list goes on and on…I jumped behind the wheel for a test spin. Sure it was nice, but you still realize your driving a golf cart. Besides, if I spend $50,000 on a vehicle, it better have a navigation system for finding my errant golf shots.
