Rupp Industries' Centaur was a trike produced as a one-seater in 1974 and a two-seater in 1975 in Mansfield Ohio. Priced at $1,700, it was the only true street-legal machine by Rupp. Triggered by the 1973 petroleum shortage, what seemed like a great idea on paper was not a success on the street. It was advertised as half cycle and half economy car and featured a 340cc Kohler 2-cycle oil-injected engine with an advertised 30 mpg and, with a tailwind, a top speed of 55 mph. The fiberglass body was molded in either red, yellow, white or blue. Compounding owner dissatisfaction, in any color the body had a tendency to crack around the rear fenders.
Founded by Mickey Rupp in 1959, Rupp Industries manufactured go-karts, minibikes, snowmobiles and other off-road vehicles. Rupp ceased operation in bankruptcy, 1978. They have since become extremely collectible. One of the Centaurs owned and driven by Elvis Presley remains on display at Graceland.
