SnoSports Dealer News - January 1977
Alexandria, Minn.- Polaris backed up it's remarkable showing at Ironwood the week before by winning three of four SnoPro classes at the Dayco Holiday Spectacular held in Alexandria, December 18th and 19th. Brad Hulinga was again the big winner as he toke the Super Mod I and II titles plus the Hetteen Cup as the top point man in SnoPro competition.
This blog is all about snowmobiles from the 1960's thru 2000. The daily posts will feature stories, ads or press releases for a classic snowmobile during that period from various snowmobile magazines and other publications during that period in snowmobile history. Save this blog and view it on a regular basis. You never know, you may see your favorite classic sled featured here !
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
MORE ABOUT MYSELF
Before
I get into blogging about classic and vintage snowmobiles, I would like
to tell you a little more about myself. As I've illustrated in my
profile within this blog, my life has been centered around snowmobiles
which includes the present time. I was a Rupp dealer from 1969 thru
it's death in 1978. In 1980, I, along with some help made an attempt to
bring Rupp Industries back into existence. "GO HERE",
To read all about this attempt. In 1984, I moved to South Dakota and
went on to expand my snowmobile parts and accessories operation by the
name of SnoCat Shack and later was renamed Sport Shack, because of a
legal matter. I sold Sport Shack in 1996 and started a company by the
name of Battery Shack and sold over 14,000 batteries in 10 years. "CLICK HERE", To learn more about this business.
1984 YAMAHA PHAZER
Snowmobile Magazine - September 1983
After almost three years of rumors, The Yamaha mystery sled appears as The 1984 Phazer...as close as
coming from a fresh sheet of paper as anything ever built by Yamaha.
The rumors begin surfacing in 1980 Yamaha, in the process of introducing the SR-V and deep in the concept stage for the new SRX (later V-Max), had a third sled underway in the development process."Something really new and different." This phrase was the only acknowledgement we could get from the sources inside Yamaha and while these five words didn't contain many satisfying details, we were intrigued by the rumors and confident Yamaha could indeed come up with a snowmobile model truly new and different.
After almost three years of rumors, The Yamaha mystery sled appears as The 1984 Phazer...as close as
coming from a fresh sheet of paper as anything ever built by Yamaha.
The rumors begin surfacing in 1980 Yamaha, in the process of introducing the SR-V and deep in the concept stage for the new SRX (later V-Max), had a third sled underway in the development process."Something really new and different." This phrase was the only acknowledgement we could get from the sources inside Yamaha and while these five words didn't contain many satisfying details, we were intrigued by the rumors and confident Yamaha could indeed come up with a snowmobile model truly new and different.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
KAWASAKI LEAVES SNOWMOBILE BUSINESS
SnoGoer Trade Magazine - August/September 1982
Kawasaki Motor Corporation, USA (KMC) Has discontinued the development and production of snowmobiles, the company has announced. No 1983 models of snowmobiles will be built, but parts and service for existing Kawasaki snowmobiles will continue to be offered to consumers thru Kawasaki's dealer network.
The decision to leave the snowmobile industry will not affect John Deere snowmobiles, which use Kawasaki engines. John Deere purchases it's engines directly from Kawasaki Heavy Industries and never has dealt with KMC.
Kawasaki Motor Corporation, USA (KMC) Has discontinued the development and production of snowmobiles, the company has announced. No 1983 models of snowmobiles will be built, but parts and service for existing Kawasaki snowmobiles will continue to be offered to consumers thru Kawasaki's dealer network.
The decision to leave the snowmobile industry will not affect John Deere snowmobiles, which use Kawasaki engines. John Deere purchases it's engines directly from Kawasaki Heavy Industries and never has dealt with KMC.
Monday, December 16, 2013
ANTIQUE SNOWMOBILE ACTIVITIES GROWING
SnoGoer Trade Magazine - December 1983
Sterling, IL - Membership and interest continues to grow in The Antique Snowmobiles Club of America, and now a Canadian counterpart to The U.S. group has been formed.
The Antique and Classic snowmobile club of Canada is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of snowmobile history. The only qualification for joining the club is to own a snowmobile which is 1966 model or older, or a rare or antique machine that is not common on the trails today. An annual membership costs $10.00 per family.
The Canadian group is planning to build a snowmobile museum that will house a collection of snowmobiles, stories, artwork, photographs and other snowmobile memorabilia.
Sterling, IL - Membership and interest continues to grow in The Antique Snowmobiles Club of America, and now a Canadian counterpart to The U.S. group has been formed.
The Antique and Classic snowmobile club of Canada is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of snowmobile history. The only qualification for joining the club is to own a snowmobile which is 1966 model or older, or a rare or antique machine that is not common on the trails today. An annual membership costs $10.00 per family.
The Canadian group is planning to build a snowmobile museum that will house a collection of snowmobiles, stories, artwork, photographs and other snowmobile memorabilia.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
THE EXISTENCE OF CLASSIC SNOWMOBILES
Fifty years ago
there was only a handful of snowmobiles manufactured or in existence.
In the late 1960's and early 1970's there were over 50 companies
producing snowmobiles and thousands were sold. Presently, there are
only four major companies left who produce snowmobiles. As the
snowmobiles age from these four companies along with the companies that
are no longer in existence is where the vintage and classic snowmobiles
come from.
ARCTIC WILL MANUFACTURE SNOWMOBILES FOR SUZUKI
Snowsports Dealer News - July 1974
Thief River Falls, Minn. - Arctic Enterprises, Inc. and US Suzuki Motor Corp. have announced a three year agreement whereby Arctic will manufacture snowmobiles for Suzuki.
According to the joint announcement, a "significant number" of one model Suzuki snowmobiles will be manufactured this first year at the Arctic plant in Thief River Falls. The snowmobiles will feature a Suzuki engine and will be sold under the Suzuki name. The first model to be built by Arctic for Suzuki will be a 440 Free Air model.
In addition to the new model, Suzuki will continue to market snowmobiles manufactured in Japan by Suzuki, and will be responsible for all sales and services on all Suzuki snowmobiles.
Thief River Falls, Minn. - Arctic Enterprises, Inc. and US Suzuki Motor Corp. have announced a three year agreement whereby Arctic will manufacture snowmobiles for Suzuki.
According to the joint announcement, a "significant number" of one model Suzuki snowmobiles will be manufactured this first year at the Arctic plant in Thief River Falls. The snowmobiles will feature a Suzuki engine and will be sold under the Suzuki name. The first model to be built by Arctic for Suzuki will be a 440 Free Air model.
In addition to the new model, Suzuki will continue to market snowmobiles manufactured in Japan by Suzuki, and will be responsible for all sales and services on all Suzuki snowmobiles.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
THE NEW 1975 BOA SKI
Invitation to Snowmobiling Magazine - Winter 1974/75
Buyers Guide to 1975 Snowmobiles - Featuring Boa-Ski
Style and dependability are what Alsport, Inc.stresses in the new group of Boa-Ski snowmobiles. Returning this year are the SS, Mark I and Mark II series for a total of seven models.
The leader of the line is again the SS series, with 340cc and 440cc Kohler front mounted engine options. Aluminum chassis, "Easy Rider II" slide rail suspension, speedometer, tachometer and head temperature guages for each bank are standard equipment on these models. The 440 also features an energy-absorbing bumper of polyurethane.
The colorful, restyled Mark II machines are offered in 292, 340 and 440cc Kohlers,along with a bogies wheel suspension. The economy model again this year is the Mark I with either a 292 or 340cc Kohler engine.
Buyers Guide to 1975 Snowmobiles - Featuring Boa-Ski
Style and dependability are what Alsport, Inc.stresses in the new group of Boa-Ski snowmobiles. Returning this year are the SS, Mark I and Mark II series for a total of seven models.
The leader of the line is again the SS series, with 340cc and 440cc Kohler front mounted engine options. Aluminum chassis, "Easy Rider II" slide rail suspension, speedometer, tachometer and head temperature guages for each bank are standard equipment on these models. The 440 also features an energy-absorbing bumper of polyurethane.
The colorful, restyled Mark II machines are offered in 292, 340 and 440cc Kohlers,along with a bogies wheel suspension. The economy model again this year is the Mark I with either a 292 or 340cc Kohler engine.
Friday, December 13, 2013
NO SRX THIS YEAR
Snowmobile West Magazine - January 1982
Merle Karst, senior vice president and director for Yamaha snowmobiles, announced on November 20th, 1981 that the 1983 model SRX500 snowmobile from Yamaha will not be released to the general consumer this season.
"We tested the 1982 SRX500 during the spring and summer of 1981 and things looked very promising at that time," Karst said, and we went ahead with production plans and produced a limited number of SRX's. But before they were released, we conducted testing in Montana and Alaska and found that they did not meet our expectations for durability and overall trailability and therefore we made the decision not to burden the loyal SRX customers with them. Karst said, Yamaha will continue testing The SRX and continue looking for improvements. He said the company will continue with The SRX in the future.
Merle Karst, senior vice president and director for Yamaha snowmobiles, announced on November 20th, 1981 that the 1983 model SRX500 snowmobile from Yamaha will not be released to the general consumer this season.
"We tested the 1982 SRX500 during the spring and summer of 1981 and things looked very promising at that time," Karst said, and we went ahead with production plans and produced a limited number of SRX's. But before they were released, we conducted testing in Montana and Alaska and found that they did not meet our expectations for durability and overall trailability and therefore we made the decision not to burden the loyal SRX customers with them. Karst said, Yamaha will continue testing The SRX and continue looking for improvements. He said the company will continue with The SRX in the future.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
POLARIS ANNOUNCES INDY 400
Snowmobile Magazine - September 1983
ROSEAU, MN. - A limited build of a third Indy model, dubbed the Indy 400, has been announced by Polaris for the 1984 season. After finalizing the 400cc liquid cooled twin Polaris, engineers have been working on for two years, the sledmaker decided in late July to schedule the small initial build to gain consumer experience with the new design before going to full scale production for 1985.
The limited build Indy is a liquid cooled, oil injected, high-performance model positioned between the popular Trail and 600 Indys.
ROSEAU, MN. - A limited build of a third Indy model, dubbed the Indy 400, has been announced by Polaris for the 1984 season. After finalizing the 400cc liquid cooled twin Polaris, engineers have been working on for two years, the sledmaker decided in late July to schedule the small initial build to gain consumer experience with the new design before going to full scale production for 1985.
The limited build Indy is a liquid cooled, oil injected, high-performance model positioned between the popular Trail and 600 Indys.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)