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 snowmobile as compared to its modern descendant was definitely bigger and slower, but relied on the same operation. It had a moving belt for traction, and skis for maneuvering the front end of the machine. It had 4 cylinder 20 horse power engines and ran at 15 miles per hour. It had wooden runners that were 5 feet long and caterpillar like tracks that were 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 biggest thing to ever hit West Ossipee were the snowmobiles. In those times, the conversion kits were exported all over the globe.
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.
Vintage snowmobile collectors are bringing these awesome machines this year back to West Ossipee to celebrate its heritage. The Ford Model Ts were one of the most versatile vehicles to roam the road. The addition of attachments made it an all season transportation. A particular set of attachments even turned the T into a sand mobile, thus making it probably the first ever all terrain vehicle.
Would you like to be an owner of a vintage snowmobile? Perhaps you're just looking for snowmobiles for sale? Whatever you need be sure to check out our store offering a massive range of new and used machines at the lowest possible prices. Why not check out some of the great used Polaris snowmobile? They're one of our favorites.
