The Rupp Go-Joe Was a Fun Little Machine That Heralded the Quad Bike Craze of the 1980s

While Suzuki is credited with bringing the first four-wheeled ATV to the market in 1982 with the release of the QuadRunner, the actual first ATV/quad bike was released more than a decade before it and was called the Rupp Go-Joe. The vehicle pictured here is a Rupp Go-Joe quad bike from 1970 and is offered up for auction out of Lauderhill, Florida.

The ATV/quad bike trend really took off in the 1980s, but ever since their introduction, these machines have become a valuable piece of equipment in farming and forestry. They are small and nimble enough to zip around in a timely manner yet sturdy enough to tow calf trailers, spreaders, and other equipment.

The Go-Joe was manufactured by Rupp Industries, an iconic mobility brand that left an indelible mark on American industry in the 60s and 70s. Founded by visionary entrepreneur Mickey Rupp in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1959, the company specialized mainly in creating recreational vehicles. Within just a decade on the market, the company grew to a 400-employee shop and offered some great minibikes, dirt bikes, go-karts, snowmobiles, and other off-road and on-road vehicles that inspired many other designs over the years.

Rupp's lineup of miniature yet great fun vehicles would stand out from the crowd thanks to some serious innovations. For instance, in 1963, the Ridge Runner minibike featured belt drive and dual fuel tanks, while the Continental Custom two-wheeler from 1965 had rear suspension and full lighting. Besides performance, ease of use, and their bright red liveries, what most of Rupp's machines had in common was the fun element.

The Go-Joe is a fun, fast little machine that many consider to be the world's first four-wheeled ATV, having debuted more than ten years before the Japanese introduced the 1982 Suzuki QuadRunner and took over the market. Of course, British bike specialists from Royal Enfield had developed the first four-wheeled motorcycle way earlier, in 1893, but it was a road-going motorcycle not intended for off-road use.

The Go-Joe all-terrain vehicle was produced in two sizes, a mini and a full size, and was one of Rupp's most influential designs, laying the groundwork for the quad bike trend that started in the 80s. The model in question here is a full-size model reportedly produced in 1970.

The model was produced for only a few years, as Rupp Industries soon went into financial trouble and filed for bankruptcy in 1978. The popularity of four-wheeled ATVs would increase just a few years later.

Details on this quad bike are rather scarce, but the information available indicates that it featured either a red or white fiberglass body and chunky balloon-type all-terrain wheels front and rear, similar to those fitted on a previous vehicle offered by the company, the Ruppster mini-dune buggy. It offered seating for two and could be handled via high handlebars.

On the performance front, initial units of the Go-Joe ATV were powered by an 8-hp engine, while the mini version - which was produced in limited quantities- featured a 3.5-hp engine. Later on, Rupp added a Kohler 295cc single-cylinder 2-stroke engine option that produced 16 horsepower and allowed the vehicle to reach a top speed of 55 mph (89 kph).

The unit up for auction is fitted with a replacement Honda GX200 196cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine factory rated at 5.5 hp. For ease of use, it is coupled with an automatic transmission. Similar to the company's snowmobiles, a primary belt runs through a single-speed centrifugal clutch arrangement, making it easy to use even for inexperienced riders.

Its fiberglass bodywork is finished in white with black and silver stripes, and it rides on original 8" wheels wrapped in correct tires - Wanda A/T Master tires up front and Carlisle Stryker at the rear.

At the front, you will notice the distinctive single headlight the model was known for and the high black-finished handlebars that made it easy to drive the ATV while sitting upright. A thumb-operated throttle is at reach on the right side, and a brake lever is on the left.

As mentioned, information on this particular quad bike is limited, so it is not known how many examples of the Go-Joe left Rupp's factory. What we do know is that good-quality examples are rare and highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. To further incite your interest, an advert from when it was launched described the Go-Joe as "a bike, a buggy, and a snowmobile all in one. A real fun machine - it digs out like a bike, handles like a duney, and floats over up to five inches of powdered snow. Go-Joe puts it all together - for a whole new way to go in snow or pure pleasure rough country riding - for folks from 8 to 80."

This 1970 Rupp Go-Joe is fully operational and looks capable of offering extremely thrilling rides. If you're looking for a rare, fun-to-drive machine, this example meant for off-road use only is up for auction with no reserve price.