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19 Vintage Go-Kart Photos That Are Pure Old-School Cool

History Vintage Photos May 12, 2025

Last Updated on May 12, 2025 by Matt Staff

Back in the day, America witnessed an explosion of go-kart racing leagues that transformed empty parking lots into makeshift racetracks. Kids, teens, and adults were fueled by weekend freedom and competed in both homemade and store-bought karts with engines that screamed louder than their size would ever suggest.

These 19 vintage photos offer a great, fast-paced look back at the time when go-karts were a full-sized thrill, in spite of their miniature size.

1. This kid is going places, and fast

A young boy sits in and stands beside a small, colorful Formula 1-style toy car in a garden with flowers and greenery. The car has prominent sponsor logos, including Canon, Renault Elf, Labatt's, and Bull.
anonymous

Absolutely love the paint job going on here.

2. A nun driving a go-kart (Camp Manatoc, Ohio, 1962)

A smiling nun wearing a full habit drives a go-kart outdoors on a paved track, with blurred grass in the background.
Screenshot

It looks like it isn’t her first time either.

3. Roy Orbison riding a go-kart in the 60s

A man wearing sunglasses and a cardigan sits in a small, vintage go-kart on a paved surface with trees in the background. The photo is in black and white.
bohndrein

Roy really knew how to rip in a go-kart.

4. Michael Jordan go-karting, 1984

Two men, both smiling and relaxed, drive colorful bumper cars outdoors on a sunny day. Palm trees and a building with castle-like architecture appear in the background.
surgikurl

Michael Jordan was probably exceptional at go-karting too.

5. Transporting go-karts in the late 50s

Three people stand in a parking lot filled with vintage cars, some with race cars mounted on their roofs. The sky is blue with scattered clouds, and the scene appears to be from the 1950s or 1960s.
carhonk

They were transporting some precious merchandise back in the day.

6. My dad, riding a go-kart. Circa 1977

A young boy smiles while sitting in a red and silver go-kart on an outdoor track, with tires marking the course and trees visible in the background.
urgonticleash

This kid’s locked in.

7. Alfred Hitchcock doing some Go-Karting (1960)

A man in a suit rides a go-kart on a track, leaning back and smiling, with another empty go-kart visible behind him and trees in the background.
rosielady

Don’t fall asleep behind the wheel there, Alfred.

8. Young Ayrton Senna during his karting period, circa 1977

A young person in racing gear stands next to a go-kart, holding a helmet. Two people are seen in the background, one partially obscured, under a tent or canopy. The scene is in black and white.
andrepeniche

Love the fit going on here too.

9. Go-Karting (Illinois, 1962)

Several people are driving go-karts on an outdoor track bordered by tires and hay bales, while a person stands on the grass nearby. One go-kart driver raises an arm, possibly waving. The sky is partly cloudy.
dizzydez

Go-karting was all the rage out in Illinois back in the day.

10. She’s enjoying her T-Model Ford Go-Kart

A young girl with blonde hair sits smiling in a small black toy car with her bare feet up on the dashboard, parked in front of a brick house and blooming pink flowers.
deleted

Go-karting is one of those activities that’s fun all the time.

11. Riding around in the Go-Kart in 1993

A shirtless man with tattoos and a young child wearing sunglasses sit together on a small go-kart outdoors among trees on a sunny day.

1993 was quite the year for go-karting.

12. My great uncle with his Go-Kart, 1983

A man in a brown jacket crouches beside a go-kart on a paved surface, holding a red helmet in one hand and resting the other on the kart's seat. Bushes and a hint of sky are visible in the background.
dathaoam

Looks a tad bit undersized for him, no?

13. Grandparents go-karting, circa 1984

An older woman and man bundled in winter clothing sit together on a small go-kart in a snowy driveway, both smiling. Snow covers the ground and a snowblower, ladder, and basketball hoop are visible in the background.
anonymous

Go-karting in the snow? Alright then.

14. The perks of being a Go-Kart Hero. Don Knotts, circa 1961

A smiling man in a racing jumpsuit holds a checkered flag and embraces a woman in shorts and a fitted top, standing beside a go-kart on an outdoor track with a fence and flags in the background.
deleted

Don looks like he’s in his golden era.

15. Drop tank go-kart (1944-45)

A man in uniform sits in a small, black, shark-faced pedal car in front of a World War II military aircraft on a sunny day, with mountains visible in the background.
kornishappen

Maybe the coolest-looking go-kart of the whole lot here.

16. A family friend and his “rocket kart,” supposedly the world’s fastest go-kart. Mid ’70s

A man in a racing suit stands holding a helmet beside two small dragster cars and a van, all decorated with flame graphics and the Amalie logo. The scene appears to be at a racetrack.
meatballsandwiches

This go-kart means serious business.

17. Homemade go-kart, circa 1993

Two smiling children sit in a go-kart; the older child is driving while the younger sits on their lap. A Collie dog stands nearby, and trees and a white house are in the background.
morghami

The homemade go-karts were where it was at.

18. A solid family outing with an extra-nice go-kart

A man sits in a vintage yellow race car numbered 3. A woman in a brown dress and boots holds a yellow helmet, standing next to him. Another woman in sunglasses and a floral top stands nearby. They are on a sunny outdoor track.
Screenshot

The colors really make this one pop.

19. Go-karting was a trip back in 1958

Two boys in a yard; one is sitting in a homemade wooden go-kart holding a steering stick, while the other stands behind, smiling and holding the kart. Houses and a white picket fence are visible in the background.
2metrollu

Go-karting in 1958? What could be better than that?

Explore more vintage content here:

Back when karting was a backyard passion project, these stripped-down speed machines captured the same rebellious spirit that roared down the highways in 1960s classic cars. Each photo proves that small engines could deliver big thrills, much like the buzzing two-stroke rides featured in our gallery of vintage 1970s cars and bikes.

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