The Interesting History on Snowmobiles
Collectors of old snowmobiles used to just let their machines sit in their backyards without anybody noticing their possession. This year, these old timers are going back to home base at West Ossipee where it all started. The group of collectors is definitely growing. Plans to hold annual meetings and shows are already underway.
During the 1920s, in this town, 20,000 conversion kits that transformed the Ford Model T vehicles into the first snowmobiles were produced. Back then, plowed roads were hardly available and regular wheels where sidelined during winter and were nonoperational until the warmer seasons return.
The first snowmobiles were fairly bigger and slower compared to their modern descendants but both relied on the same process. The old rig had moving belt for traction, and had skis for maneuvering the front part of the machine. It was equipped with 4 cylinder 20 horse power engines and can reach top speeds of 15 miles per hour. It had 5 foot wooden and runners and caterpillar like tracks that are 8 inches wide.
Even if the early snowmobile had it's setbacks, it was greatly relied on and does get the job done. At times when other modes of transportation were dealt inoperable by snowy weather conditions, tourists were driven around the area by Virgil D. White, the owner of the company that was responsible in the production of the conversion kits. Mail was delivered on time, and even doctors were able to do house calls because of the rig.
The first of these conversion kits were sold at $400, while a complete set will cost $750. By 1923, only 75 of these kits were sold. During the later years, sales picked up to 2,500 kits a year when people saw them in action. However, the demand dropped when the use of snow plows became almost universal.
The snowmobile was the biggest thing to ever hit West Ossipee. At the time, these conversion kits were exported around the world.
The old factory is still there where it used to sit originally. Back in 1929, a big fire heavily damaged the factory so it is not clear how much of the original structure remains.
Old model T collectors are bringing these rigs this year back to West Ossipee in celebration of the machine's grand heritage. The old Ts are among the most versatile machines ever built. The addition of attachments made the T an all season vehicle. A particular set even turned it into a sand mobile as well making it perhaps the first all terrain vehicle ever built. - 21393
During the 1920s, in this town, 20,000 conversion kits that transformed the Ford Model T vehicles into the first snowmobiles were produced. Back then, plowed roads were hardly available and regular wheels where sidelined during winter and were nonoperational until the warmer seasons return.
The first snowmobiles were fairly bigger and slower compared to their modern descendants but both relied on the same process. The old rig had moving belt for traction, and had skis for maneuvering the front part of the machine. It was equipped with 4 cylinder 20 horse power engines and can reach top speeds of 15 miles per hour. It had 5 foot wooden and runners and caterpillar like tracks that are 8 inches wide.
Even if the early snowmobile had it's setbacks, it was greatly relied on and does get the job done. At times when other modes of transportation were dealt inoperable by snowy weather conditions, tourists were driven around the area by Virgil D. White, the owner of the company that was responsible in the production of the conversion kits. Mail was delivered on time, and even doctors were able to do house calls because of the rig.
The first of these conversion kits were sold at $400, while a complete set will cost $750. By 1923, only 75 of these kits were sold. During the later years, sales picked up to 2,500 kits a year when people saw them in action. However, the demand dropped when the use of snow plows became almost universal.
The snowmobile was the biggest thing to ever hit West Ossipee. At the time, these conversion kits were exported around the world.
The old factory is still there where it used to sit originally. Back in 1929, a big fire heavily damaged the factory so it is not clear how much of the original structure remains.
Old model T collectors are bringing these rigs this year back to West Ossipee in celebration of the machine's grand heritage. The old Ts are among the most versatile machines ever built. The addition of attachments made the T an all season vehicle. A particular set even turned it into a sand mobile as well making it perhaps the first all terrain vehicle ever built. - 21393
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posted by X - Men @ 12:43 AM
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