I believe it is a 78 Rupp Nitro Liquid Cool. Seller now wants $1,000 for the sled plus homemade trailer (I don't want) , spare polaris motor-2 cyl, original skid was changed to aluminum (original skid is not installed at this time), sled dolly, and all other spare parts including tool kit.

Originally the seller wanted $800 as posted on VSCA but did not imention the spare motor. Original ad is below. It is a divorce sale and needs the cash.

1978 RUPP NITRO 440 LIQUID COOLED. ORIGINAL TRACK DRIVE TRAIN HAS BEEN CHANGED TO ALL ALUMINUM, STILL MOST OF THE ORIGINAL PARTS. COMES WITH TRAILER. $800.00 OR BEST OFFER.

I am going to look at it this weekend but not to crazy about the increase on the asking price. It it was a magnum I might consider.

In my opinion, the Rupp Nitro L/C sleds were among the most handsome snowmobiles ever built. They also ran strong at around 80 horse for a 440. Liquid cooled, big Mikuni carbs, and sweet twin pipes, and Arctic clutching all combined for a fast machine, in spite of it's heavy for the time weight. The 1978 model was the last of them, too.

I don't know what was changed with aluminum, unless it was the drive axle and jackshaft, which were steel. The skid was already aluminum on these sleds. Infact, the 1975 Nitro F/A skids were magnesium. Rupp was one of the first snowmobile manufacturers to go with aluminum tunnels in the late '60s. Unfortunately, the very early ones had some major problems with tears. By the time the liquid Nitros were introduced in 1976, that problem was solved. This sled was not built in Mansfield, Ohio like early Rupps, but in Canada by Arctic Enterprises (as in the manufacturer of Arctic Cat). If it is as nice as it looks in the picture, the price is fair enough. One thing to keep in mind that the Nitro skis were chrome, and usually pitted. My Speedway skis cost me $250 a pair to get plated, and the shop did a less than perfect job on them.

I has a beat to crap 1976 about a dozen years ago. Strong runner, but cosmeticly challenged. It went to a Rupp nut. I have always wanted a nice one, but I have 20 old sleds more than I need already.

-Les in MI.

It looks good in the pic! :div20: I'not objective about Rupps, and if for any reason you don't buy it, let me know I'll go get it right now! They were built very nicely for their time, even thou a little heavy. Good luck.
pathfinder58 :cn:

Probably in the ball park. I had a'76 and really liked it. The Arctic hex clutch and the suspension wearing out were its weak points. Sweet sounding engine with the twin pipes. "Liquid cooled bumper" was a novel idea. Peace,Mike D.

i have a 76 liquid nittro in the barn that needs restoring . i rode that sled as a kid it was the first sled i ever drove. my dad said it was the fastest production sled built in 76 capable of 120mph on ice . i dont know how true that is but i had it up to 95 in a hay field with 2 people on it . i love that old sled! :banana:

The 76 Nitro's with the Xenoah motors were awesome sleds. Fast but had issues with the carbs. I would love to have on.