It was the novelty of the darned thing.
My next door neighbor had a Rupp, which was really simmilar in design - and HP. You'd be surprised, actually. I used that tiny thing a LOT to mow his yard when I was 16.
I've been keeping my eyes peeled for something like this. Lucked out bigtime, as this is a LOT older than that Rupp was.
I bid on the old Craftsman, too (that I posted in the Craftsman forum) - but there were three other guys hovering over it pens in hand ready to outbid me. I gave up at $12 on that one. Sold for $25.
I practically SAT on this thing - and let everyone know, "You're not getting this. If you bid, I will outbid you......:biggrin:" They must've known I meant business - no one but me bid on it, and I just bid the minimum. $5. :laughing: