An American Lion

Rupp Snowmobile

I must confess to having a certain appreciation of old things. I like classic cars, classic everything. I remember the first jet skis—they were hilarious to look at, if you like that sort of thing. I also remember these old vintage Rupp Snowmobiles:

Way back in 1959, a company was started by Mickey Rupp to make innovative snowmobiles and other sporting equipment. Mansfield, Ohio was the home of Rupp for the entire duration of the company’s life. Highly successful in its time, the company produced minibikes, motorized three wheeled bikes, ATVs and Rupp snowmobiles. While the company eventually went out of business in 1978, it left behind a legion of fans, not the least of which are dedicated to Rupp snowmobiles. A huge section of vintage sled fans are passionate about Rupp and they are still being sold in the used segment today.

Rupp Snowmobile

In the sixties, the popularity of snowmobiles soared and hundreds of manufacturers took the leap into the fabrication of these machines. Eventually, after a few years of declining sales due to decreased snowfall in the early seventies as well as a general loss of interest in the sport, many of these companies were forced to shut shop. Amongst these was Rupp snowmobiles, which faced declining sales in the early seventies but seemed positioned to make a comeback in the mid-seventies with its Nitro series of liquid cooled engines. In 1977, Rupp snowmobiles was taken over by Arctic Cat that then reduced the production line to three models – a fan cooled Sport and two Nitros. Planned and engineered by Rupp, the snowmobiles were produced by Arctic Cat. 

Here are a few images and pictures of what I’m talking about.

Rupp Snowmobile

Rupp Snowmobile

They age well. Not many things can say that.