MERCURY SNO-TWISTER - A GREAT SNOWMOBILE OF THE PAST

RUPP NITRO - A GREAT SNOWMOBILE OF THE PAST

OMC GOLDEN GHOST - A GREAT SNOWMOBILE OF THE PAST

1977 RUPP SNOWMOBILES

1978 RUPP SNOWMOBILES

OVERALL HISTORY OF RUPP MFG

Overall Rupp History. Rupp Manufacturing, Inc. was founded in 1959 by Mickey Rupp, with eight employees in a 3,000 sqft facility in Mansfield, OH. During that first year, Rupp manufactured Dart Karts (no mini bikes until 1962.) In 1960 Rupp expanded their production to making mini-bikes. Rupp made 1,000 mini-bikes that first year. By 1964 Rupp created a few snowmobile prototypes and in 1965, became a snowmobile manufacturer making 500 machines. In 1963 and 1964, Rupp supplied go karts and minibikes to Sears, and were sold through the Sears catalog. The 1963 style Rupp Dart Cycle mini bike was sold up to 1964 in the Sears catalog as the "Sears Cylce". By 1969 Rupp employed over 400 people in a 180,000 sqft 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. But by 1972, fueled by a soft market created by a couple of years of poor snow conditions, Rupp's profits dwindled and the company began to lose money. In 1973 Mickey Rupp was forced to sell the company which was facing bankruptcy. On April 1st, 1973, Rupp sold a controlling interest in the company to an investment group led by Joseph Hrudka. 1973 would also mark the end of the Rupp partnership with the Japanese engine manufacturer Tohatsu. Then in 1974, Rupp would make the design change to using Kohler powerplants in their snowmobiles. In 1974 and 1975, Rupp saw a decline in overall sales. This was likely due to rumors of the company going out of business, nagging quality control issues, and the transition period under new ownership of Hrudka from the extremely popular and company founder, Mickey Rupp. In 1976, Rupp seemed to be poised to make a major comeback with the introduction of snowmobiles with liquid cooled Xenoah powerplants. The 1976 liquid cooled Nitro model was tested by SnowSports magazine and "was the top performer or close to it in every speed run." Despite the popularity of the new models, Rupp continued to experience financial difficulty. By the Spring of 1977, the ownership of Rupp filed for bankruptcy and enlisted help from Arctic Cat. As a result of this partnership with Arctic Cat, snowmobile production was cut in half and down to just three models - a 295cc fan cooled Sport, and two liquid cooled Nitro models. Although Rupp designed, engineered, and marketed their 1977 line-up, the Rupps were actually produced and assembled by Arctic Cat. The 1977 Rupp 440 Nitro was heralded as one of the fasted tested muscle sleds by snowmobile magazines and featured an 80HP motor capable of attaining speeds in excess of 80MPH. But by the Summer of 1977, the writing was on the wall and the 1978 model year would be the last for Rupp. Rupp Manufacturing, Inc. would go under in 1978.

SKI-ROULE - A GREAT SNOWMOBILE OF THE PAST

SNO-JET - A GREAT SNOWMOBILE OF THE PAST

1985 YMAHA PHAZER SNOWMOILE

1972 RUPP NITRO SNOWMOBILE

1969 - WINNING A SNOWMOBILE RACE

1980 ARCTIC CAT ELTIGRE 5000 SNOWMOBILE

1974 - THE EXALTER

1977 RUPP SNOWMOBILES

1976 - MANUFACTURING SNOWMOBILE PARTS` AT TROCHS ENTERPRISE

1974 RUPP AMERICAN SNOWMOBILE

1979 SKI-DOO BLIZZARD SNOWMOBILES