trend sledders

After manufacturing pool tables for more than 20 years, Frederick-Willys, a subsidiary of Stanley Home Products, decided to add a new product line. In 1967, they entered the snowmobile market with a small, inexpensive model called the Sno Dart. This new sled, designed for young adults and children, was priced to invade the "second machine" market.

The company planned to sell the Sno Dart through retail chains, discount stores and mail-order houses much like they had done with their other products. But they quickly realized that this wasn't going to work, since these outlets were not equipped to handle the necessary service and repair. Although a number of Sno Darts hit the snow that first season, sales weren't high enough to continue production.

In the late '60s the snowmobile industry began to pick up speed, with a trend toward higher horsepower machines. During the summer of 1968, Frederick-Willys announced the introduction of the Galaxy, which featured a choice of three engines ranging from 8 to 23 horsepower.
The manufacturer had a problem getting raw materials for the Galaxy, which delayed production well into the season. The late start forced dealers to cut their orders and it interfered with the production schedule of Frederick-Willys' other products.

The company's philosophy was to build a quality machine and to proceed carefully with production until the sled proved itself. Company engineers and consumers throughout the snowbelt field-tested the Galaxy and rated it as good or better than the competition. However, the conflict in production schedules, forced the company to offer the division for sale in 1969. The entire assets of the division, including finished product, raw material, tools and dies, good will and manufacturing rights were sold to Kaiser Enterprises of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.