Rupp made a variety of atvs, minibikes and small dirt bikes, and of course snowmobiles. 2 wheeled, 3, or 4 wheeled off roaders, and snow mobiles too? That's really covering all bases
Rupp Manufacturing, Inc. was founded in 1959 by Mickey Rupp, with 8 employees housed in a 3,000 sq. feet facility, in Ohio manufacturing Dart Karts.
In 1960, Rupp expanded their production to making 1000 mini-bikes.
In 1964, Rupp created a few snowmobile prototypes, and by 1965, became a snowmobile manufacturer making 500 machines that year.
By 1969, Rupp employed over 400 people in a 180,000 sq. feet facility, producing a multitude of recreational machines including mini-bikes, ATVs and go-karts, and five models of Sno-Sport snowmobiles.
In 1970, Rupp sales topped $30 million and owner Mickey Rupp was honored as one of the "Outstanding Young Men of America." Rupp produced 35,000 snowmobiles that year.
By 1971, Rupp employed 850 people, and featured a research center, administration building, all-purpose proving grounds, a styling building, and even had some automatic computerized operations. In addition, owner Mickey Rupp served as a director of the International Snowmobile Industry Association.
By 1972, the good times were over, and Rupp circled the bankruptcy drain for 4 years, instead of just conceding the 70s sucked, and shutting down
This white one was taken away from the kids by their dad when he got afraid they'd kill themselves. With an 18 hp engine optional, it would do about 60 mph.
In the summer of 1975 Elvis bought several trikes, the first of which was a 1975 Rupp Centaur with a 340cc two stroke engine
http://www.oldrupps.com/RuppHistory/RuppHistory.html
https://www.facebook.com/RuppCentaur/
learned something new today, thanks!! On a side note, the snowmobiles remind me of HR Puffnstuff for some reason...
ReplyDeleteThen my job here is done! Off to the races!
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