Mini-Mini Truckin’: Peterbilt Replica Go Cart

You may be surprised to learn that there’s a strong market for vintage go-carts and other pint-sized versions of the real thing. I know I was, when I saw some of the sale prices on auction sites for kid-friendly replicas of popular sports cars. While a replica Peterbilt isn’t in the same category as a vintage Porsche 911 go-cart, you’re still not going to pay for it with the spare change in your cup holders. This intriguing truck project is listed here on Facebook Marketplace with a trailer for $3,750.

These gas-powered carts really aren’t meant for kids of a certain size, since many adults can actually fit inside to operate them. This one is more of a mystery, however, as to who will operate it, since there’s usually a hole in the roof in case an adult needs extra room to see where he’s going. This Peterbilt is large enough to allow most individuals who aren’t at NBA player height to slide in and live out their big rig fantasies without the need to get a CDL. There’s even a CB radio and diamond stitch-style door panels.

I’m curious if the shifter actually shifts or if it’s just a prop. When it was new, the finish quality must have been quite decent, as it looks like a lot of work went into producing this truck clone. While it looks somewhat messy now, I’m guessing a weekend spent just giving it a proper detailing would make it present much better. The seller reports that it is powered by a “snow mobile engine”, which could mean so many things. It’s not uncommon to find truck carts like these with a 5 horsepower Tecumseh engine.

Now, here’s the big mystery: did this at one time have a proper tractor trailer setup attached to it? It must have, with the remnants of the trailer frame still attached. You could create something truly eye-popping in terms of detail if you were able to fabricate the box and then paint it to match, or strip down the cab as well and go with a corporate “theme” like Food Lion, 7-11, or even a racing team-style tribute. If you’ve got the time and the desire to own a tractor trailer in miniature when all the work is done, I’m guessing the seller would love to have this out of his storage building. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Jack M for the find.