Rupp Industries was a Mansfield, Ohio-based manufacturer of go-karts, minibikes, snowmobiles and other off-road vehicles founded by Mickey Rupp in 1959. Rupp Industries operated from 1959 until bankruptcy in 1978. Rupp vehicles are known for their performance and bright red coloring, particularly the snowmobiles and off-road vehicles.
History
Rupp Industries was born in 1959 when Mickey Rupp began assembling and selling go-karts from his basement. Originally Rupp Manufacturing, the name Rupp Industries was adopted by 1971. In that year Rupp employed 400, with 23 engineers in the R&D department and sales in the millions. In addition to their popular go-karts, Rupp began producing minibikes and snowmobiles in the early 1960s.
Mickey Rupp sold the company in 1973 when it ran into financial trouble. Although the company would continue to produce dirt bikes, minibikes and snowmobiles, they would never regain financial stability and by 1978 went bankrupt.
Go-karts
Mickey Rupp began assembling go-karts in his basement in the late 1950s. Rupp made many contributions to the design of go-karts, including the step frame and a new braking system that augmented driver control and kart stopping power. Rupp karts featured single- or dual-engine models with behind-seat-mounted fuel tanks. Rupp would eventually introduce a kart with four-wheel independent suspension.
The first Rupp karts introduced were called Dart Karts. Rupp also produced the A-Bone, A-Bone Deuce (both pictured to the right), Lancer, Monza Jr. and later the J Dart Kart. Rupp manufactured karts as late as 1968. The karts have become highly collectible and have a large following.
Minibikes
Following the success of their go-karts, Rupp manufactured mini bikes from 1962 until the mid-1970s. Models included the Dart Cycle, Continental, Roadster, Scrambler, Hustler, Chopper, Black Widow, Enduro, Roadster 2, Swinger, Sprint, Digger, Goat, Ram, TT-500, XL-500, XL-350 and others. Rupp minibikes were made in a variety of styles with various features, including varying engine sizes, lighting kits and color options. Rupp offered upgrades to their bikes as well, including speedometers, luggage racks, lift bars, horns, mud flaps and crash bars.
1962
The first Rupp minibikes were called Dart Cycles and were made starting in 1962. They featured a 2 1/2 horsepower, 4-cycle Lauson horizontal-shaft engine with a Fairbanks-Morse clutch (an optional 3 HP was available for an extra charge). The bikes came with front suspension and rear drum brakes. They were advertised in Cycle World and other magazines.
1963
Rupp's minibike offering in 1963 was the Dart Ridge Runner, classified as a trail scooter. It featured a 3 1/2 HP Lauson engine with a belt drive system and dual fuel tanks. A passenger seat was located over the two fuel tanks. It came in one color—high-visibility orange. The Ridge Runner was positively reviewed in Cycle World magazine's "Trail Test" in 1963.
1964–1967
Rupp introduced their next line of minibikes in 1964 called the Continental. The 1964 Continental was rolled out with a 3 1/2 HP, 4-cycle Lauson engine as well as front and rear suspension. For the first time in 1964 Rupp also outfitted the bikes with a head and tail light. A chrome chain guard and chrome fenders were added features of the Continental. The Continentals had many models of their own, including the Electra, Custom, Special and Cub. All bikes were outfitted with 6" wheels. Late 1965 saw the Tecumseh 3 1/2 HP on the Continentals as well.
1968
The year 1968 marked a first for Rupp minibikes in many ways, including the first and only year that the minibikes were made with disc brakes as well as the introduction of Tecumseh engines, which Rupp would use until the discontinuation of their minibikes. Rupp made significant changes to their Continental lineup and added the XL and TT models. In 1968 all Rupp bikes were available in metallic red, metallic blue or metallic gold and still featured the 6" wheels.