chaparral

As a prototype, the original Chapparal was a rather revolutionary machine. Built in 1966, the prototype specified a fiberglass chassis, instead of the conventional steel or aluminum. Chaparral was a part of the Snowbirdie line, and also included the Firebird.

In late 1966, the manufacturer moved the business to Grand Junction, Colorado, and began operations as the Powered Products Corporation. Although the prototypes were fiberglass bodied, the first sleds to roll off the line were the conventional steel chassis. Production began in the summer of 1967 for the 1968 model year. Both the Chaparral and Firebird were 18-inch track sleds.

Powered Products built sleds in Grand Junction for two years, and in early 1969, the company directors realized that they were not properly financed to grow with the industry. They wanted to sell the firm to a larger company better financed to keep pace with the demands of the growing industry. They began to look for a buyer . After talking with several companies, they sold to FTS/HITCO, a division of the Ohio-based Armco Steel.

After the acquisition, the entire operation was moved to Denver and renamed as Chaparral Industries. From 1970 through 1974, more than 65,000 Chaparral snowmobiles were built and sold, but it was not enough to show a profit. Lack of snow in the snow belt, the energy crisis and the lack of dealer confidence led Armco, on Feb. 11, 1974, to discontinue snowmobile production.

Several manufacturers, including some not in the snowmobile manufacturing business at the time, looked into buying the division, but their own problems at the time left them without the necessary cash. No Chaparrals were built or sold after January 1974.