Celebrate winter with vintage snowmobiles at the AACA Museum

1969 Ski-Doo Olympic 320 A/S. Images courtesy of the AACA Museum.

Ask a dozen experts about the history of the snowmobile, and you're likely to get a dozen different answers. Though the birth, and to some degree, evolution, of the modern snowmobile remains clouded in a fair amount of controversy, this much is clear: The modern snowmobile, with its front skis and rear endless-belt track, began to evolve in the 1950s. Now, a new exhibit at the AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, celebrates the snowmobile by offering visitors a glimpse at the evolution and engineering behind this popular, if seasonal, conveyance.

The need for a reliable vehicle to cross snow-covered terrain has existed for far longer than the snowmobile itself. Though designs for such vehicles predate the First World War, none enjoyed commercial success, thanks largely to their sheer size, complexity and expense. A few manufacturers modified Model T Fords with tracks and skis for steering, and such trucks were commonly used for winter mail delivery in the upper Midwest and Canada. Suitable for snow-covered roads, converted Model Ts (and later, converted Model As) were less adept at crossing fields covered in deep snow, and were priced beyond the means of most non-commercial users. It would take until the late 1950s until two manufacturers, Polaris and Bombardier (manufacturer of Ski-Doo snowmobiles) began producing the forerunners of the modern snowmobile.

1964 Ski-Doo RD-64.

The upcoming AACA Museum exhibit features snowmobiles dating as far back as a 1961 Polaris Sno-Traveler, built with its engine in the rear instead of the front, presumably for better traction. This particular sled also uses wooden cleats, though it's not clear if these are a Polaris design or a consumer enhancement. A 1964 Ski Doo RD-64, originally sold to the Pennsylvania Fish and Game Commission, features a dual-track, single ski design (without the optional brakes) and is powered by a 10 horsepower Rotax engine.

1969 Ski-Jet prototype.

A pre-production 1969 Ski-Jet 292, manufactured in Archibald, Pennsylvania, features a conventional single track, two-ski design, and is believed to be one of just six Ski-Jet 292 models remaining (including three parts-only sleds). A 1969 Ski-Doo Olympic 320 A/S, powered by an 18-horsepower Rotax engine, shows that consumers were demanding more power as sleds (and the sport of snowmobiling) began to evolve into their modern form.

The land speed record-setting Johnson Pegasus.

The 1971 Johnson Pegasus on display exemplifies this quest for power best of all, as the machine was used to set a land speed record of 140.625 MPH at the Bonneville Salt Flats (the surface of which behaves much like hard-pack snow). Featuring dual V-4 engines and a streamliner body, the sled first achieved this milestone in testing, prompting participants to hastily arrange officiating. While the body and chassis were developed for the record attempt, and the track was specifically engineered by Goodyear for high-speed runs at Bonneville, the rest of the record-setting snowmobile is said to be constructed from off-the shelf components.

1974 Viking Vigilante.

Other snowmobiles on display include a purple 1974 Viking Vigilante, powered by a 440cc two-stroke engine that would become the basis of an SCCA formula racing class (Formula 440); a 1973 Yamaha SR-292, purpose-built for oval track racing and one of just 150 constructed; and a 1972 Arctic Cat Kitty Cat, aimed at children between the ages of five and 10 years old. In addition to its modestly powered 60cc engine, the Kitty Cat incorporated safety features like an adjustable governor, a hidden rubber track, rubber-tipped skis and rounded edges on the hood and dash for the inevitable get-off. As an added feature, optional front wheels meant that young riders could enjoy the Kitty Cat year-round, at least until they outgrew its diminutive size.

1972 Arctic Cat Kitty Cat, shown with optional front wheels.

The snowmobiles will be displayed as part of the AACA's Holiday Celebration exhibit, which opens on Friday, November 15, and runs through Sunday, January 5. For additional information, visit AACAMuseum.com.

UPDATE 11/5: Image of the record-setting 1971 Johnson Pegasus added.