Brian cheerfully returned wtih his new snomobile (well, new to him...) and yes, he has to share it with David, and also yes, it was purchased because it is a more efficient machine with which to groom the ski trails. And all of that said, it is still fast.
He reports that out on the lake, where the snow lies flat, with a nice dust of powder on top of enough ice to hold up an ice-road trucker, it winds out to 140 kph.
Ears pinned back, no doubt. Crouched behind the windscreen. One could point out, however, that while he has no idea where he's going at that speed, he's making darn good time getting there...
It's not all about speed,however (unless you are taking part in a snowmobile club Radar Run). It's also about comfort. And the ability to just get out there, and see the great outdoors. For some people, snowmobiles are the only way they're going to be able to do that. Snowshoeing and skiing are not for everybody's knees and hips.
The picture with this post is Rosemary Tapley, in 1961, with one of the very first snowmobiles ever to chunter off the assembly lines. It was called an Eski-Motor.
Not, perhaps the pinnacle of design for winter vehicles, it towed the engine behind it (where it would short out when enough snow landed on it) 140 kph was a forlorn dream for this little sled, but we remember it with great fondness, tootling about the property and the lake. We had a ton of fun with it, before it gave way to better designs.
I loved your picture of Rosemary on the snommobile! You make a good point about people (like me) with bad knees and how the snowmobile is just the thing for getting out and enjoying the beautiful, snow-covered landscape. Who knows, you might get me up there in the winter yet.
ReplyDeleteWendy
I was guite surprised to see the picture of the early Eski-Motor. Nice of Rosemary to submit the photo. I have been into old snowmobiles for almost 20 years and this is only the second Eski-Motor of this style I have seen. The round front style are also extreamly rare, about 250 produced during 1962-1963. They were produced in Scarbough On. by the Tee Nee trailer corporation. I have both styles in my collection, both purchased in Ontario from the family of the origional oweners. I would be interested in finding out more about this specific snowmobile. I enjoy the old rear engine machines. If Roremary or any one else has information or photos of this style of snowmobile I can be contacted at kinvig.craigslist@gmail.com Thank you for the posting.
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