Elf Khurafeh Shrine Mini Car Unit

Some time prior to 1965 GM contacted Rupp MFG, a mini-bike and go cart company located in Mansfield Ohio, to provide a chassis for a miniature fiberglass replica of the Monza SS show car. Rupp ended up paring one of their existing models of go cart chassis, the Dart Kart with the scale replica Monza SS body which was then re-designed to fit the Dart Chassis. The re-design keep the main body lines but changed the rear deck area behind the driver, the cockpit back shaping was lowered, and the removal of the windscreen were the main changes. The single seat Monza JR was powered by a 3.5 HP Lauson motor (a division of Techumseh). The body had integrated inner fender wells to keep out road debris. The steering consisted of a uni-action steering linkage and braking was handled with a 6” drum and brake strap setup common to Karts. The drivers ride comfort was enhanced by inflatable rubber tires and a padded naugahyde seat with side bolsters. It would appear that the first Monza Jr were offered with black seats and the later Chevy Jr’s were offered with white seats.
In 1965, Chevrolet received its first order of Monza Jr. go-carts from Rupp. Chevrolet displayed them and raffled them away at auto shows and exhibits. It is believed that they first made their appearance at the Detroit Auto show, possibly in conjunction with the newly restyled 1965 Corvair debut and then continued to make their appearance at various auto shows, traveling Chevy shopping center shows, Chevy exhibits at fairs, etc.
Initially they could only be won through these special promotions, but eventually Rupp was allowed to sell them to the general public. Not only could the general public purchase them from Rupp but also dealerships began buying them and offering them in their own promotions as well.
Over the years there were some slight changes made to the carts. The very first carts produced from 1965 to 1967 were named Monza Juniors and were Ember Red like the full sized Monza SS prototype they paid homage to. In 1968 the cart’s name was changed to Chevy Jr. and the body color was changed to Marina blue with a white stripe pattern added to the nose and rear end. Eventually the Chevy Jr. was also offered in a reddish orange similar to a Corvette color with the same white stripe on the nose and tail. Chevrolet continued to use the carts in promotional give-a-ways up until around 1975.
Additionally a large quantity of these Rupp Chevy Jr carts were purchased and used for years by the Shriners in numerous parades to promote their organization. There was also a fleet of the Chevy Jr’s that were ordered with white body and used at the driver safety training facility called Safetyville, USA. Safetyville was located in Flint Mi, and was a miniature setup of streets, sidewalks, and building that drivers would operate their Chevy Jr’s around while learning traffic safety. GM operated Safetyville, USA until 1978, where it was turned over to the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission.