While later bikes relied on the smaller 3 1/2hp Briggs & Stratton engines, the Rupp Roadster had a big, five-horse Tecumseh engine, pushing power to the rear wheel through an innovative, two-speed centrifugal clutch.
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The tall handlebars kept man-sized riders upright, and the functional head- and tail-lights and license plate bracket showed that it was intended for road use. Kids got Roadster Minicycles by the truckload, but the bikes were designed to comfortably transport adults. The padded seat sat atop a pull-start, single cylinder, four-stroke engine. The Roadster Minicycle was a simple machine: the basic configuration was two loops of conduit with a rear swingarm, and twin shocks at the front and the rear. For $199.50, a lot of these ads were burned into the memory banks of kids all over the country. Starting in 1962, Rupp offered the Dart Cycle, a minibike in the classic configuration, with a 2 1/4-hp engine, no suspension, and a rear drum brake. In four short years between 19, Rupp had a license to print money housed behind the overhead doors of its Mansfield, Ohio production facility, and it did so with nothing that displaced more than 200cc. RELATED: Check Out James Garner, Roy Orbison and Alfred Hitchcock on 1960s Go-Karts! He built everything a kid could ever want in those days, including go-karts and snowmachines, but the vehicle that kept his company afloat was the “minicycle.” the minibike. The prestigious Grolier Club, America’s oldest society of bibliophiles, named the Montgomery Ward catalog as one of only one hundred books that had most influenced the life and culture of American people.Credit Mickey Rupp for infecting the fever dreams of every eight to 12 year old from 1968 to 1971. The company ultimately made the decision to close the catalog division and cease publication with the last catalog being issued in December 1985. Sadly catalog sales would continue a slow and steady decline. Within 4 years of opening their first retail store Montgomery Ward started to see the retail sales overtake the catalog sales. In 1975 the catalog division of Montgomery Ward was operating catalog order desks in all 433 retail stores in addition to 555 catalog stores and 1,288 catalog sales agencies. Montgomery Ward would remain a leader in the catalog industry for the next 113 years.
Or more lovingly called the “Wish Book”.Īaron Montgomery Ward started the nation’s first mail-order business in 1872 when he issued his first catalog, a single sheet price list of 163 items. Most of you remember Montgomery Ward not only for their department store, but also for their catalog. Department Store Catalog Department: Montgomery Ward Just a few years later in 1976 the craze was over and mini bikes fell out of favor with kids who now wanted dirt bikes.
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There was even a new sport “ Mini-Bike Soccer” which had racers from both teams merging at center field at full speed for the opening kick-off (I hope they were wearing helmets). In 1973 mini bike sales peaked at 140,000 units from over a hundred different manufacturers. The complete Sears mini-bike lineup featuring “The Puncher”. Though as a kid I would have been absolutely delighted beyond belief to have woken up on Christmas to find myself a new owner of a Puncher, it’s also quite obviously the least cool of the bunch. JCPenney had a solid selection of mini bikes.Īnd Sears? Yeah well, Sears was Sears. Penney’s offered similar bikes, but with slightly cooler names like Big Blue, El Tigre, Swinger, and the super cool chopper inspired Duster with its high-rise handlebars and backrest.
Montgomery Ward’s offerings into the market included the “sassy” 323 which at only 3hp was no speed demon but certainly still looks like a lot of fun, the “lively” 424 which came with shocks and a 4hp engine, and the “swingin” 525 which packed a full 5hp, 2 speeds, and racing wheels. Advertisement showcasing the 1970 line of Montgomery Ward Mini Bikes. Other brands would soon follow, Taco, Bonanza, Arctic Cat, and Rupp, just to name a few, and soon the major department stores would be selling their own mini bikes as well. These first prototypes were known as “Lil Indians” and they would spark the craze that had little kids begging their parents for a mini-bike. In 1959 the Michrina Brothers would deliver their first mini-bike prototypes to former Indianapolis 500 winner Troy Ruttman to sell at his car dealership.
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