Not long back, collectors of vintage snowmobiles just let their rigs sit in their backyard without anyone knowing about it. These machines are coming back to home base at West Ossipee where it all started these days. The vintage snowmobile collectors group is definitely growing. They are even planning to hold annual meetings and shows in the years to come.
Back in the 1920s, 20,000 conversion kits were produced in this town. These kits transformed the Ford Model Ts into the first snowmobiles ever built. It was an era when plowed roads were almost unheard of and conventional wheels were sidelined until warmer weather returned.
Compared to their modern brethren, the original snowmobile was bigger and slower but relied on the same method of operation. It had moving belts for traction, and had skis for maneuvering the front part of the machine. The rig had 4 cylinder 20 horse power engines and can run up to 15 miles per hour. It had 5 foot wooden runners and 8 inch wide caterpillar like tracks.
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.
A complete set of snowmobile machines sold at $750 while a conversion kit sold at $400. In 1923, only 75 kits were sold, but sales did pick up to 2,500 in the succeeding years when people saw these rigs in action. The demand later 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. - 29952
Back in the 1920s, 20,000 conversion kits were produced in this town. These kits transformed the Ford Model Ts into the first snowmobiles ever built. It was an era when plowed roads were almost unheard of and conventional wheels were sidelined until warmer weather returned.
Compared to their modern brethren, the original snowmobile was bigger and slower but relied on the same method of operation. It had moving belts for traction, and had skis for maneuvering the front part of the machine. The rig had 4 cylinder 20 horse power engines and can run up to 15 miles per hour. It had 5 foot wooden runners and 8 inch wide caterpillar like tracks.
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.
A complete set of snowmobile machines sold at $750 while a conversion kit sold at $400. In 1923, only 75 kits were sold, but sales did pick up to 2,500 in the succeeding years when people saw these rigs in action. The demand later 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. - 29952
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