vintage sledding
Amsnow
Babes On 'Biles
Ahh, the good old days when men were men and babes were wrapped in furs and lounged on Harleys. Yep, back in 1974, Harley-Davidson's marketing types thought it wise to showcase its red-white-and-blue snowmobiles by having a leggy blonde draped on the seat.
Forget the fact that these limited production Harleys featured its own 398cc (34 horsepower) and 436cc (37hp) fan-cooled engines with aluminum cylinders and capacitor discharge ignitions. Both were features we take for granted these days, but were "cutting edge" in 1973. The chassis was also aluminum and the chromed skis were controlled by leafsprings and adjustable friction steering dampeners for "superior handling."
Having test ridden the 1974 Harley-Davidson sleds, our gray-haired editor recalls the Harleys as excellent all-around sleds. "They had very good power and a smooth clutch delivery," notes Jerry Bassett. "The styling was a plus as was the name itself. Harley's sleds, while not around very long, had a uniqueness to them. The Harley snowmobiles were exceptionally good all-around sleds. And, we'd expect, should command a premium price at swap meets or antique shows."
When You Had A Choice
While Ski-Doo is proud of its ability to offer their snowmobile customers the advantage of "building it themselves," Ohio-based Columbia gave sledders a "choice" back in 1973.
The premise Columbia offered was a factory-supplied basic chassis with a choice of three JLO fan-cooled powerplants (339cc - 23 horsepower, 398cc - 27.5hp, and 428cc - 29.5hp). Then, with their dealer's assistance, the Columbia customer could select his choice of a gold or blue metalflake hood and a bogie or slide rail suspension. Not only were the hoods and suspensions interchangeable, but many parts could be swapped between the three JLO motors, which made servicing a titch easier on these 1970s sleds. The Columbia models featured Salsbury clutching and a single Walbro carburetor.
In 1973 a Columbia C-440 model with the biggest motor would have cost $1,395. In today's prices that sled would retail for $5,404.
As you can see, the idea of building your own sled has been with us for more than a quarter-century. We expect Ski-Doo to be much more successful than Columbia, which discontinued snowmobile manufacturing by 1975.
Clubs & Associations
Antique Snowmobile Club of America
32832 CTY Rd. 39
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
Telephone: 218/543-4146
E-mail: ascoa921@uslink.net
website: www.ascoa.org
President: Dave Guenther
Publication: Iron Dog Tracks
Editor: Peter Anderson
Note: Founded in 1976, now has more than 1,400 members. Annual dues: $15.00.
Antique Snowmobile Club of the West
2316 Glen Ellen Circle
Sacramento, CA 95822
Telephone: 916/428-2800
Contact: Don Wright
Vintage Snowmobile Club of America
Box 392
Fultonville, NY 12072
Telephone: 518/922-9053
E-mail: vsca@vsca.com
President: Dan Rose
Publication: Vintage Snowmobile
Editor: Charles Plueddeman ($20 for 4 issues)