22/09/2026
After years of chasing a vintage go-kart or TQ racer and always coming up short, Finn and I finally hit the jackpot this morning.
​Scrolling through Facebook, this 1964 Rupp Grand Prix popped up. We messaged the owner, Mark, grabbed some cash, and went straight over.
​Meeting Mark was a highlight in itself. Back in the early 80s, Mark did his apprenticeship in Charters Towers under the kart’s original owner, Ken Acton Sr. He remembered Kenny having this exact kart in the shop. Back in the 60s, a proper USA factory-built kart was a rare beast around here—almost everyone was running homemade setups, with only three blokes in the area owning pro-built karts (the local dentist had one of the others!).
​Ken was a local legend—businessman, town councillor, and an absolute addict for speed. He started out racing on the dirt at the Charters Go Kart track back in the 50s and 60s (just north of where the gun club sits now) before making a name for himself across Queensland in drag racing with his famous 'Crazy Critter II' modified T.
​One of the coolest details Mark remembered from his apprentice days was a personal touch Kenny added decades ago: a penny brazed right onto the fuel cap. Sure enough, it’s still sitting on the tank today.
​Finn is pumped to get this thing back on the track and driving. The long-term dream is to run it as a twin-engine setup if we can hunt down another cast aluminium engine mount.
​Finn’s already got the vision for it—he’s picturing a heavy metallic gold with custom flames.
Before we lay down any paint, we want to hear from you: How would you paint this '64 Rupp? Go full custom gold & flames, or keep it classic? Drop your ideas below! 👇
