1971 pocket rocket
Amsnow
On June 15, 1971 Leisure Craft Industries LTD (Division of Reach Corp.) signed a contract with the Wee-Ski International Corporation giving it ownership of that company. A distribution network was immediately put into place to market the sled. One of the company directors suggested renaming the sled "Pocket-Rocket 16" and a meeting was soon arranged between Henri Richard (former hockey great with the Montreal Canadiens) and Richard Lalonde who was President of the Reach Corporation, owners of Leisure Craft. The meeting was very short and a contract was signed in less than 24 hours. Reach Corporation obtained 51% of the shares of Leisure Craft Industries after it had purchased all of the Wee-Ski stock shares. Mr. Richard became an active director in the company. Unlike other personalities who only lend their names to companies Mr. Richard became an active promoter of the "Pocket Rocket 16" snowmobile. Because of his promotion skills, the sales representative for the company (Jacques St Onge) predicted that the entire inventory of sleds would be sold out before the end of November. At a selling price of $498.00, this would hardly be a surprise.
The sled was built specifically for youngsters. It had a small displacement Solo engine for power and weighed about 150 pounds. Length was five feet and width was 29.5 inches. Height was 28 inches and track was center drive, 15 inches wide. AS
SPECIFICATIONS
Overall length Sixty inches from ski tip to rear bumper
Overall width 29 1/2 inches
Overall height 28 inches
Track width 15 inches
Ski length 26 inches
Ski width 4 7/8 inches
Approximate weight 152 pounds
Fuel capacity 3.5 US Gallons
Maximum speed 32 mph
Suspension Bogies - 4.5 inches
Seating capacity One adult or two children
Engine Solo model 208 - 10 hp
Carburetor Tillotson HR