1963 Rupp Grand Prix Question

Scott Kneisel · Post by **Scott Kneisel** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 5:48 am

Hi,
I am restoring a 1963 Rupp Grand Prix. The original number panel had the badge pictured below riveted on with original rivets and was never removed. This badge is the original plated brass with embossed lettering and logo and a stamped serial number.

I always thought that the GP badge had "Grand Prix" stamped on it but I can't remember back that far to the one I had new in 1963.

Does anyone have a pic of an original '63 badge or know if this one it typical of the era?

I would appreciate any info.
Scott

REAR · Post by **REAR** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 6:15 pm

Scott,

Pretty sure the early Darts came with the tag you have. Real thin nickel or chrome plating on a brass tag.

In 65 the Grand Prix was added to the tag but the tag style you have with just i.d. numbers was still used on the Grand 'A'.

I have both a G.P. and a 'A'.

R.E.A.R.

Don Thompson · Post by **Don Thompson** » Fri Oct 31, 2014 7:58 pm

Scott, Just went out to the garage to look at my 1963 Grand Prix. My tag is similar to yours but says Grand Prix instead of Dart Kart Number stamping is 372. I think the only difference between the Dart and the Grand Prix in 1963 is the Grand Prix has a aluminum floor pan riveted to the frame. I have been told the Grand Prix had thinner gauge tubing. Not sure if that's correct though.

REAR · Post by **REAR** » Sat Nov 01, 2014 5:58 pm

Hmmm...the mystery continues. Have asked many different people over the years about the panel tags and no one seems to really know the whole truth about them. Would be nice to run into a production worker from back in the day and get the low down on them.

R.E.A.R.

Chris Marchand · Post by **Chris Marchand** » Mon Nov 03, 2014 8:51 am

That might be a Tag off of a Pre Production Factory Team kart .The Rupp team usaully ran the newest designs way before they were avaiIable to the public and may not have used the GP name on the tag on purpose.

Scott Elkes · Post by **Scott Elkes** » Thu Nov 27, 2014 7:15 pm

Hi Scott K.

Happy Thanksgiving! I came across this ad today. It is a 1963 Dart A-Bone, but the right column is introducing the 1963 Grand Prix along with the medallion.

Scott Elkes

Ronald Cubel · Post by **Ronald Cubel** » Wed Dec 03, 2014 4:51 pm

By 1966 the Grand Prix had went back to a one piece frame and this tag with no number. Some times people think a 66/67 GP is a 63 thus no number on tag. ALL the 63 GPs I have seen have a GP tag with serial number but I bet that is an original tag just they ran out of others or put on wrong tag that day.
Lots of stuff happened my early 62 Abone has no number panel and no tag but did come with Go power rims As far as I can tell they just put on what ever part were available that day. Bet some GPs had Abone frames??

Ron

1963 Rupp Grand Prix Question

1963 Rupp Grand Prix Question

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