Description
1996 Club Car DS 2-Passenger Gas Golf Cart
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Condition: Pre-Owned / Classic Fleet Core Platform
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Year: 1996 Model Year
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Make/Brand: Club Car (A Division of Club Car, Inc.)
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Model Line: DS Series (Standard 2-Passenger Fleet Layout)
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Power System: Four-Stroke Internal Combustion Petrol Engine
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Engine Core: 286 cc Kawasaki FE290 Overhead Valve (OHV) Single-Cylinder
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Drive Mechanicals: Automatic Ground-Speed Sensing Governor // Unitized Transaxle
The 1996 Club Car DS 2-Passenger Gas is a single-bench utility and course transport vehicle powered by a mid-mounted internal combustion engine. This specific model year features the generation-two ArmorFlex® thermoplastic body structure integrated over Club Car’s signature 6061-T6 aircraft-grade extruded aluminum I-beam chassis.
The mechanical powertrain is configured with a counterclockwise-rotating (CCW) engine crankshaft configuration, which was standard for Club Car platforms built up until the final week of the 1996 production run. It is engineered for long-range operation across golf facilities, industrial sites, and farming estates without requiring grid-tied electrical recharging intervals.
Kawasaki FE290 Powertrain & Mechanical Drive
Pressure-Lubricated Component Architecture: The 286 cc Kawasaki FE290 engine features a pressurized lubrication system utilizing an internal oil pump and a spin-on automotive-style oil filter. This design ensures consistent oil distribution across the overhead valve mechanism and connecting rod journals during sloped operation, distinguishing it from splash-lubricated utility engines of the same era.
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Induction & Fuel Management: Relies on a float-feed carburetor with an impulse-type mechanical fuel pump operated by engine crankcase vacuum pulses. Air filtration is handled via a heavy-duty, sealed canister housing containing a dry pleated paper element.
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Torque Conversion Transmission: Utilizes a step-less Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with a primary drive clutch mounted directly to the engine output shaft and a secondary driven clutch mounted to the transaxle input.
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Speed Regulation Governor: Equipped with an internal, gear-driven mechanical flyweight governor integrated directly inside the unitized transaxle housing to limit ground velocity through a mechanical throttle linkage override.
Key Specifications & Technical Profile
| Feature Category | Factory Technical Specification Profile |
| Seating Allocation | 2-Passenger (Single Molded Forward-Facing Bench) |
| Chassis Framework | Rigid Extruded Aluminum I-Beam with Steel Suspension Hangers |
| Engine Classification | 286 cc Kawasaki FE290 Four-Stroke, Single-Cylinder OHV |
| Ignition System | Solid-State Magneto Ignition with Electronic Spark Advance |
| Cooling Method | Forced Air System via Crankcase-Mounted Fan and Shrouding |
| Power Output Rating | 8.7 HP (6.5 kW) calibrated at 3,600 RPM per SAE J1940 standards |
| Braking Assemblies | Dual Rear-Wheel Mechanical Self-Adjusting Expansion Drum Brakes |
| Steering Assembly | Self-Compensating Double-Reduction Helical Rack and Pinion |
| Suspension Geometry | Front Independent Leaf Spring // Rear Dual-Leaf Springs with Hydraulic Shocks |
Dimensions & Functional Cabin Equipment
1. Physical Footprint & Weight Profiles
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Total Longitudinal Length: 232 cm (91.5 inches) from front bumper edge to rear bag-well edge
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Total Transverse Width: 120 cm (47.25 inches)
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Total Height (No Canopy): 114.3 cm (45.0 inches) to the top of the steering wheel rim
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Total Height (With Factory Roof): 174 cm (69.0 inches) down to ground plane
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Wheelbase Distance: 166.4 cm (65.5 inches)
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Ground Clearance (Minimum): 11.4 cm (4.5 inches) at the rear differential midpoint
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Fuel Tank Capacity: 26 Liters (7.0 Gallons) high-density polyethylene structural tank
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Dry Vehicle Weight: 281 kg (619 lbs) excluding fluids and accessories
2. Structural Materials & On-Board Accessories
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Body Panels & Finish: Features molded-in color ArmorFlex® high-impact thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) front cowl and rear body sections designed to absorb impacts without permanent structural distortion.
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Bag-Well Compartment: Formed rear cargo section equipped with an adjustable dual bag-holder strap assembly for golf bag or equipment cylinder tie-downs.
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Operator Dashboard Layout: Designed with open-face deep storage wells on the left and right sides of the steering column, center-mounted ball/tee holders, and a key-activated starter switch.
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Starting Electrical Layout: Features a 12-Volt starting system powered by a group-size standard automotive cranking battery, continuously charged by a belt-driven starter/generator unit.
Maintenance Profile & Long-Term Serviceability
The 1996 Club Car DS Gas platform operates via a pure mechanical linkage architecture with minimal electronic integration. The combination of a corrosion-proof aluminum frame, a pressure-lubricated Kawasaki power plant, and a mechanical drum braking system allows for straightforward component repair and high operational durability within coastal or high-humidity regions.
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