1990s Mini Monster Grave Digger go-kart
Dennis Anderson came up with the concept for Grave Digger® back in 1981. Originally built out of an old 1951 Chevy Panel Wagon and parts that he scrounged from junkyards, Grave Digger as of today has grown to a huge brand. No longer do the trademark red headlights come off of old school buses, and the paint job has changed from a dull orange to the famous green and black flame motif we see today. Grave Digger is one of the most decorated Monster Jam® trucks in the world and Anderson has won four Monster Jam World Finals® championships, capturing the racing title in 2004 and 2006, and the freestyle title in 2010 and 2000.
Grave Digger is arguably the most famous monster truck of all time and has become a cultural icon of the sport; being considered Monster Jam’s flagship truck and inspiring two spinoff trucks: Grave Digger the Legend and Son-Uva Digger respectively. Grave Digger has also competed at every Monster Jam World Finals event since its inception, with the team taking fourteen championships over the years. Though Dennis retired from driving in 2017, he continues to run his own King Sling mega truck, as well as the Extreme King Sling ride truck.
This Mini Monster go-kart is a Grave Digger model manufactured in the 1990s by the Carter Brothers Manufacturing Co. of Brundidge, Alabama. Features include fiberglass bodywork finished in purple over a green tubular steel frame, and power comes from a 212cc Predator single with a torque converter and chain drive. Other equipment includes front and rear bumpers, drum brakes, a three-spoke steering wheel, exterior lighting, and 18" wheels.
The fiberglass body was finished in metallic purple and features silver flames and Grave Digger "30th Anniversary" graphics with red light-up eyeballs. Additional features include a plastic windshield, LED headlights with red lenses, a faux grille, side steps, and green front and rear bumpers.
First built in 1982, full-sized Grave Digger became popular in the mid-80's for its spooky-themed paint scheme and Dennis’ wild driving style. Alongside Dennis and his family, Grave Digger’s vast roster of drivers has most notably included: Pablo Huffaker, Charlie Pauken, Gary Porter, Randy Brown, Chad Tingler, Morgan Kane, Cole Venard, Tyler Menninga, Brandon Vinson and many more.
FELD and the Andersons’ workshop, Digger's Dungeon, maintain and operate the six Grave Digger trucks that are currently competing in Monster Jam events in the United States, and around the world. Alongside Bigfoot and Maximum Destruction, the latter of which is considered to be Grave Digger's rival, particularly when Dennis and Tom Meents would compete at the same event.
Specifications
Engine: 212cc Predator 1-cylinder
Transmission: Centrifugal clutch, Juggernaught torque converter, chain drive to rear wheels
Brakes: Rear-mounted drums
Wheels: Green-finished 18" with Carlisle Stryker tires