Yellow Submarine (United Artists, 1968), Life-Size Whimsical "Yellow Submarine" Go-Kart. ...

Description

Yellow Submarine (United Artists, 1968), Life-Size Whimsical "Yellow Submarine" Go-Kart. Life-size "Yellow Submarine" go-kart, resembling the centerpiece contraption from the beloved animated feature starring the Fab Four, constructed of an aluminum and fiberglass shell in the shape of a submarine, painted in instantly recognizable yellow, orange, white, blue, and red hues and measuring 133" x 44" x 72" in overall dimensions. The exterior shell with conning tower and whimsical raised fin is mounted onto a go-kart style chassis with 15" diameter wheels and a Briggs & Stanton lawn mower engine connected to a single-person cockpit featuring a wooden ship's wheel for steering, clutch and brake pads, and a manual gear shift. Interior of the cockpit also contains a tape-cassette player and a single tape-cassette handwritten, "Yellow Submarine". Speakers have been installed to the left and right rear taillight areas of the exterior as loudspeakers for the sound system. The cockpit is built into the central conning tower and is accessible through a hinged door that opens upwards on the left side of the vehicle, and which is ironically marked by hand-painted text reading, "OPEN FROM OTHER SIDE". A cut-out viewing area affords the operator visibility through the front of the sub. The top area of the tower contains an array of white PVC periscopes capped with automotive light fixtures and a banister around the perimeter constructed of similar PVC pipes, with a miniature plastic ladder connecting the tower to the main body. Additionally, the exterior is decorated with a string of flags of the world, color cutouts of "Blue Meanie" and "Jeremy Boob" peering through portholes on either side of the conning tower, miniature life preserver to front, plastic red propeller at rear, and each wheel adorned with a plastic figurine of a different Beatle to the center spokes. The engine is accessible through a hinged door on the hood, with letter-painted text to top reading, "The Beatles / Yellow Submarine". Overall item has been well-preserved while exhibiting signs of wear and age including several paint chips as well as cracks to the fiberglass, with 1- larger crack towards the front approx. 10", and 1- toy figurine head removed (Ringo). Mechanics, electronics, and overall functionality remain untested. Due to size, special shipping arrangements apply. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions. From The Stewart Berkowitz Television Treasures Collection.

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