Old Snowmobiling pictures

erps · #1 (**permalink**) 01-09-2011

I've been scanning old slides all weekend. Found some pictures from a family snowmobile trip through Yellowstone taken around 1960 and again in 1970. An interesting difference.

1960

1970

Bilgewater · #2 (**permalink**) 01-09-2011

I saw one of the 60s era machines at an auction a few years ago, as I recall it went for pretty cheap, it would be a nice project for someone. Interesting photos Ray.

Faster · #3 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011

Those old Skidoo Elans brought back a lot of memories.... my wife's family were heavily into snowmobiling when we all lived in the interior.

And then the Father-in-law got one of the earliest Everest 440s.....

erps · #4 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011

Quote:

Those old Skidoo Elans brought back a lot of memories.... my wife's family were heavily into snowmobiling when we all lived in the interior.

Our neighbor in Bozeman MT had the Skidoo dealership. I didn't know for a long time that snowmobiles came in colors other than yellow.

jrd22 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011

I'd forgotten that the old ones only had one ski in front. Great pics Ray.

Daveinet · #6 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrd22

I'd forgotten that the old ones only had one ski in front. Great pics Ray.

I saw that too. Yikes, I can't imagine driving one of those, but then again, they didn't go very fast, so they didn't need to handle all that well. Seeing the single seat means it would be hard to lean to compensate for tipping. The thing I remember about the old sleds is they didn't get very good traction, forward or sideways. Drive across a slight hill, and you loose the rear end. We had an old John Deer from the early 70s. The engine was mounted high up and easy to roll or get stuck, but on the other hand, it was kind of fun to drive, because of the added excitement of the loss of control. As long as you weren't trying to keep up with newer sleds, it was fun.

ssneade · #7 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011

never done a snowmobile in my life. i'm sure i've missed out on some serious fun. got me to thinkin' now tha global warming is on the decline, (nine inches of snow in my yard in north georgia) maybe i should look into building a conversion for my four wheeler. can't be that hard. do they sell'em? i'm a lardass by nature and if i can buy one rather than build it, i will......

Daveinet · #8 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011

Ssneade, It would work from a functional stand point, but it would competitive with the units shown in the pictures. Units built today more than 12 inches of suspension travel. The weight is low and the track is wide and long. When I ride, I typically am on a ThunderCat. This is a sled that will do well over 100 mph, and do it on a torn up field. For comparison, One of our older sleds from the early 90s, I went through a section of fresh snow at about 70 mph, standing up, it was all I could do to stay on the sled. I turned around and went back through on the Thundercat at over 90, sitting down and hardly pushing it. I have traveled air born for over 100 feet and landed smoothly. Even getting a used sled from the late 90s would be much more practical, or come north and rent one for a weekend.

Dropping skis on a 4 wheeler would get you around your yard, but you would not want to venture out far on the trails.

nethead01 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-19-2011

this is very interesting post lol