snow chief
Amsnow
In 1971, Dufrane Motor Distributors of Malone, New York, veered off course and traveled down a trail that had been taken by other companies before. Some tried and failed, some enjoyed short-lived success and a few stood the test of time. How would this one fare?
Dufrane had decided to produce its own snowmobile line and a deal was struck with Industries Dauphin in Quebec to purchase their manufacturing equipment.
Dauphin sleds were then imported to the USA and the new Dufrane "Sno-Chief" line was introduced. It was basically an existing Dauphin model wearing a different logo.
It was essential that the equipment arrive in New York in time to build the 1972 lineup. But the move could not be made quickly enough and the '72 Sno-Chief line was built by Dauphin in its Quebec plant. When the models hit the showroom that season, the only difference between the two lines was a slight variation of the hoods and the Sno-Chiefs sported a bright orange paint job.
The '72 lineup was powered by Hirth and JLO engines, ranging in capacity from a low 230cc to a whopping 650cc. Dufrane offered six models, the Papoose (230cc), a child's sled, the Mohawk (292cc), Iroquois (340cc), Cherokee (399cc), Comanche (440cc) and the Sioux (650cc).
In 1973, the hoods, windshields and front bumpers were redesigned and the models containing Hirth engines were distinguished by a SS/HP nameplate.
The 1974 models were carbon copies of the '73 offering, except 340 and 440 liquid cooled Chaparral engines replaced the Hirths.
The '74 line of Dufrane sleds never made it onto the trails and it wasn't long before the company abandoned its sled production and closed the doors on its facility for good.