Dodge Charger Go-Kart Took 550 Hours to Build, Giant R/T Badge Not Included
With the impending end of production for Dodge’s HEMI V8-powered Challenger and Charger, Mopar fans may be wondering what’s next in store for them. While the aftermarket continues to pay attention to these iconic Dodges, there’s something unique that has caught our eye – a miniature Dodge Charger go-kart that is both adorable and aggressive.
The Charger and Challenger have a legacy that goes beyond full-sized vehicles. Decades ago, enthusiasts were treated to pedal cars like the Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Superbird, which are now highly sought-after collectibles, fetching prices of up to $175,000.
Fortunately, there are more affordable options for fans of pint-sized Mopars, and that brings us to the custom go-kart created by a group of enthusiasts known as Go Kart God on social media.
These dedicated individuals love building custom go-karts and frames, sometimes restoring old frames they find on Facebook Marketplace. The Dodge Charger go-kart, a tiny car they meticulously crafted, features a dedicated frame they designed after studying famous layouts of similar vehicles. 
The go-kart showcases aluminum body panels, and here’s the twist – the front end pays homage to the second-generation Dodge Charger (1968-1970) with functional headlights. However, for some reason, the group decided to slap a first-generation Challenger (1970-1974) badge on the back, even labeling it as such on social media.
Admittedly, adding body panels to a go-kart increases its weight and may cause additional drag. However, since this build was likely intended for fun and recognition, we can overlook these drawbacks.
After all, this small machine with a passing resemblance to Dodge’s classic muscle cars appeals to our emotional side, and we can’t help but chuckle while writing about it. The comically oversized R/T badge may be a result of Photoshop, but the smaller version on the go-kart is indeed real.
A Dodge Charger go-kart with body panels and 30 horsepower? That sounds like an absolute blast!
Equipped with a Corbeau seat and a dashboard featuring a fuel gauge and stereo system (complete with two speakers), this go-kart is powered by a Predator 420cc four-stroke engine. In its stock form, this engine reaches a maximum of 13 horsepower.
However, the builders claim that with a Stage 3 upgrade, including a Mikuni 34mm carburetor, the engine now produces over 30 horsepower. While this figure is significantly less than the entry-level 5.7L Predator V8 found in the real Dodge Charger and Challenger (375 horsepower), it’s still 11 times more powerful than the idle output of the “standard” Challenger SRT Demon (2.8 horsepower). As is common with go-karts, the engine becomes your passenger.
According to the builders, the Dodge Charger Go-Kart took a staggering 550 hours to construct. We can’t help but hope that the brake disc, protruding one inch above the road surface, remains undamaged. Similarly, as we mentioned with the full-sized Dodge Challenger Hellcat “Muscle Kart” in 2021, please refrain from taking these types of toys onto public roads. Instead, use them on the track or private property while wearing proper safety gear. 
If you’re interested in the step-by-step process of building this impressive go-kart, check out the Instagram video below. Additionally, the YouTube clip focuses on the creation of the aluminum body panels, showcasing the craftsmanship that went into this unique miniature Dodge Charger.
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