TELL US YOUR STORY... Please share your recollections, history, pictures or restoration of an antique snowmobile, iron dog, snow plane, snow machine, snow cat, Bombardier, or old iron. 1968 and earlier machines could include Alouette, Arctic Cat, Autoboggan, Bear Cat, Boatel, Boggona, Bolens, Bosak, Chaparral, Eaton’s, Eliason, Eskimo, Evinrude, Foremost, Fox Trac, Gilson, Hiawatha, Hornet, Hus Ski, Ice Skeeter, Johnson, Larson, Mallard, Marshall Wells, Mcculloch, Montgomery Wards, Moto-Ski, Ockelbo, OMC, Otter, Polar, Polar Bear, Polaris, Power King, Riverside, Rupp, Rustler, Scatmobile, Scorpion, Sears, Ski-Doo, Skiroule, Silver Line, Ski Daddler, Ski Jet, Sno Bird, Sno Clipper, Sno Dart, Sno Hawk, Sno Jet, Sno Ro, Sno Tric, Snowbirdie, Sno Trac, Sno Prince, Sno Scoot, Sno Trac, Snowbug, Snoplanes, snow planes, Snow Cruiser, Tee Nee, Trac Neige, Trade Winds, Trail A Sled, Trailmaker, Viking, Yamaha, and Yukon King.
Send your story or pictures to: [email protected]
A 50 YEAR REUNION
Valdi Stefanson, here, from Stacy Minnesota. I am the lucky and proud owner of a Boggona rear engined motorized toboggan, made in St. Boniface (Winnipeg) Manitoba. Approximately 75 Boggona machines were produced between 1959 and 1964. For more information on this manufacturer, see L. Ingham’s thick book, “As the Snow Flies”, Chapter 23.
Why would I be interested in 50 year old snow contraptions? Well, as a kid from Gimli, Manitoba, on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, I would see these stodgy snow machines hauling in a convoy of sleighs with frozen pickerel (walleye) each afternoon during the winter fishing season. The fish came from gill nets set beneath the thick ice of Lake Winnipeg.
In 2006, a friend and collector from Manitoba phoned with the news of finding an old machine that was neither an Autoboggan nor Bosak. “BINGO”, I exclaimed, requesting that he broker the deal locally. This, it turned out, was not easy. The seller was an alcoholic and on several occasions his wife would come to the door reporting that he was “too sick” to visit. Finally in July 2007 the purchase transaction was made. However, back home I realized that my purchase was different than Internet pictures of two other Boggona motorized toboggans. What did I have? A Winnipeg telephone book included an Ove Skovgaard, referenced in Chapter 23 as the manufacturer. An old, weak voice answered and confirmed that he indeed had made the Boggona machines. That Christmas, I was able to visit and over coffee, Ove pulled out old 1959 black & white photos of his first build — I had his prototype!
Production Boggonas later produced by Ove’s company, General Machine & Welding Ltd. came in three configurations:
- SUPER (model C-2- S); These were 9' 10" long, with Wisconsin 9.2 hp engine and 1,000 sq. in. of track footprint.
- SUPER (model C-2-M); Same as above with Apex transmission, including reverse. Few of these were made.
- PONY (model C-2-P); These were 9' long, with Wisconsin 7 hp engine and 750 sq. in. of track footprint.
- Also, Ove made up a few tow-behind trailers. They had metal skis and frame, but plywood and plank beds. No suspension.
To my knowledge, there are six left. #1 is in Quebec, a C-2-S owned and restored by Pierre Pellerin. #2 is a C-2-M owned by Dan Klemm at his Snowmobile Barn Museum in New Jersey. (It was restored by John Livingston in Regina, Saskatchewan.) #3 is an unrestored smaller PONY C-2-P model near Beausejour Manitoba in the hands of a recluse, apparently never to see the light of day. #4 is the prototype pictured here. Two more are in northeast states.
In truth, Ove and his family had not laid eyes on a Boggona in several decades. My goal was to restore the motorized toboggan while Ove was still healthy, to respect his work and to demonstrate a working example for his family. Fortunately, Allan Lee from Warroad Minnesota agreed to take on the restoration project, and in 2 ½ months I was on the way to Winnipeg for this Skovgaard family event.
One glorious Sunday morning last July, Ove, his children and grandchildren got to touch, hear and see the Boggona in action. What a powerful tribute to Ove and his vision. The 92 year old jumped on the trailer to explain how his design had improved on the other snow machines of the era. Specifically:
- knuckle joint at mid-section
- skis that turned in different arcs — the outside ski turns more than the inside ski
I laughed when Ove lamented that he should have boiled the oak track runners for better performance in soft snow. Here, 50 years after the fact, he was thinking of enhancements!
I was honoured when that day in Winnipeg, the family handed over about 2 ½" of documents left over from the venture. Included were engineering blueprints, concept sketches, sales literature, manuals, etc. In one folder there were numerous letters from lawyers and one letter on Polaris letterhead. In September 1962, Allan Hetteen wrote claiming patent infringement, referencing a 1960 Canadian patent # 639,475 by Edgar Hetteen. Allan alleged three areas of patent infringement:
1. Suspension and arrangement of front steering skis
2. Suspension and arrangement of rear drive assembly
3. Arrangement of front and rear sections, “hinged” in the middle
Also in the file there were results of Ove’s subsequent patent search — six Canadian patent documents.
Although Allan Hetteen’s letter went on to suggest the possibility of a license or royalty arrangement, I have concluded that nothing came of it. By then Boggona manufacture was on the wane. Still, another file included draft drawings for a new, smaller HUNTER model than never got off the ground. You see, Armand Bombardier’s small, agile, front engined, rubber tracked Ski Doo was revolutionizing the industry.
Back on Lake Winnipeg, the 1965 season saw the commercial fishermen almost universally adopt the Evinrude Skeeter with its appealing 16" wide track, neutral clutch control, opposed twin cylinder 2-cycle engine, push-button primer, and recoil start. The Boggona and other rear engined behemoths were going the way of the dinosaurs — a museum oddity for future generations.
As for my 1959 Boggona, it will be shown and driven at antique events, but eventually needs a museum home. In regards to the treasure trove of drawings, literature and patents, I promised the Skovgaard family that the materials would be donated to the ASCOA museum for safe-keeping and the enjoyment of others in our sport.
Why would I be interested in 50 year old snow contraptions? Well, as a kid from Gimli, Manitoba, on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, I would see these stodgy snow machines hauling in a convoy of sleighs with frozen pickerel (walleye) each afternoon during the winter fishing season. The fish came from gill nets set beneath the thick ice of Lake Winnipeg.
In 2006, a friend and collector from Manitoba phoned with the news of finding an old machine that was neither an Autoboggan nor Bosak. “BINGO”, I exclaimed, requesting that he broker the deal locally. This, it turned out, was not easy. The seller was an alcoholic and on several occasions his wife would come to the door reporting that he was “too sick” to visit. Finally in July 2007 the purchase transaction was made. However, back home I realized that my purchase was different than Internet pictures of two other Boggona motorized toboggans. What did I have? A Winnipeg telephone book included an Ove Skovgaard, referenced in Chapter 23 as the manufacturer. An old, weak voice answered and confirmed that he indeed had made the Boggona machines. That Christmas, I was able to visit and over coffee, Ove pulled out old 1959 black & white photos of his first build — I had his prototype!
Production Boggonas later produced by Ove’s company, General Machine & Welding Ltd. came in three configurations:
- SUPER (model C-2- S); These were 9' 10" long, with Wisconsin 9.2 hp engine and 1,000 sq. in. of track footprint.
- SUPER (model C-2-M); Same as above with Apex transmission, including reverse. Few of these were made.
- PONY (model C-2-P); These were 9' long, with Wisconsin 7 hp engine and 750 sq. in. of track footprint.
- Also, Ove made up a few tow-behind trailers. They had metal skis and frame, but plywood and plank beds. No suspension.
To my knowledge, there are six left. #1 is in Quebec, a C-2-S owned and restored by Pierre Pellerin. #2 is a C-2-M owned by Dan Klemm at his Snowmobile Barn Museum in New Jersey. (It was restored by John Livingston in Regina, Saskatchewan.) #3 is an unrestored smaller PONY C-2-P model near Beausejour Manitoba in the hands of a recluse, apparently never to see the light of day. #4 is the prototype pictured here. Two more are in northeast states.
In truth, Ove and his family had not laid eyes on a Boggona in several decades. My goal was to restore the motorized toboggan while Ove was still healthy, to respect his work and to demonstrate a working example for his family. Fortunately, Allan Lee from Warroad Minnesota agreed to take on the restoration project, and in 2 ½ months I was on the way to Winnipeg for this Skovgaard family event.
One glorious Sunday morning last July, Ove, his children and grandchildren got to touch, hear and see the Boggona in action. What a powerful tribute to Ove and his vision. The 92 year old jumped on the trailer to explain how his design had improved on the other snow machines of the era. Specifically:
- knuckle joint at mid-section
- skis that turned in different arcs — the outside ski turns more than the inside ski
I laughed when Ove lamented that he should have boiled the oak track runners for better performance in soft snow. Here, 50 years after the fact, he was thinking of enhancements!
I was honoured when that day in Winnipeg, the family handed over about 2 ½" of documents left over from the venture. Included were engineering blueprints, concept sketches, sales literature, manuals, etc. In one folder there were numerous letters from lawyers and one letter on Polaris letterhead. In September 1962, Allan Hetteen wrote claiming patent infringement, referencing a 1960 Canadian patent # 639,475 by Edgar Hetteen. Allan alleged three areas of patent infringement:
1. Suspension and arrangement of front steering skis
2. Suspension and arrangement of rear drive assembly
3. Arrangement of front and rear sections, “hinged” in the middle
Also in the file there were results of Ove’s subsequent patent search — six Canadian patent documents.
Although Allan Hetteen’s letter went on to suggest the possibility of a license or royalty arrangement, I have concluded that nothing came of it. By then Boggona manufacture was on the wane. Still, another file included draft drawings for a new, smaller HUNTER model than never got off the ground. You see, Armand Bombardier’s small, agile, front engined, rubber tracked Ski Doo was revolutionizing the industry.
Back on Lake Winnipeg, the 1965 season saw the commercial fishermen almost universally adopt the Evinrude Skeeter with its appealing 16" wide track, neutral clutch control, opposed twin cylinder 2-cycle engine, push-button primer, and recoil start. The Boggona and other rear engined behemoths were going the way of the dinosaurs — a museum oddity for future generations.
As for my 1959 Boggona, it will be shown and driven at antique events, but eventually needs a museum home. In regards to the treasure trove of drawings, literature and patents, I promised the Skovgaard family that the materials would be donated to the ASCOA museum for safe-keeping and the enjoyment of others in our sport.
1959 Prototype - Testing at Whiteshell, Manitoba
Same 1959 Prototype - restorted to its original glory
Ove inspecting his handiwork --- commenting on oak runners
Ove showing his grandsons the design specifications
PaPaw & Grandchildren Restore Snowmobiles and Build
Everlasting Bonds
This is a great story of family connections and bridging generations --- and it is all about old snowmobiles. John and Jan McGuirk live in Sidney, Ohio in retirement but are building
an impressive collection of old snowmobiles. Indeed, John is the immediate past
President of the Antique Snowmobile Club of America (http://www.ascoa.org). They remain in Ohio to be close to their children and grandchildren, and here is one reason why….
To Jack McGuirk, age 9, and Carly McGuirk, age 11, grandfather John is known as “PaPaw”.
Well, PaPaw made the kids an offer that they simply couldn’t refuse. He would provide them with vintage mini-sleds if the pair would make a significant contribution to their
restoration. For the three of them, it was a win-win-win situation.
Jack started restoration on his 1971 Sno Pony in July of 2009 and Carly began the restoration of her 1969 Snow Flake in August of 2009. Both restorations were completed and running by June of 2010. Can you imagine their pride in driving them last winter? Or explaining
that they were a real part of the end product?
Both Jack and Carly performed over 85% of all the mechanical work. Both did all the
disassembly and all the putting back together. They learned the names of many
tools such as a ratchet and wrenches. They also learned to use a skill saw to
cut out their seat boards and Carly even used the hole saw on her seat bottom.
The kids went to the sandblaster to see what he does in removing paint and rust.
The brother and sister did all the paint priming which was quite a learning
experience (read“mess”). Final painting was performed by PaPaw.
During the process, a log was kept of what they did each time they got to work on their snowmobiles and pictures were taken occasionally of the progress being made.
Here is what Carly wrote of the experience:
I like to build things and my brother had started working on a snowmobile with my PaPaw. I asked if I could also work on a snowmobile.
Well, I sure found out it was a big step up from my Lego’s.
The biggest challenge was taking the snowmobile apart. I didn’t like all
the dirt and grease but it was cool when it was all done.
The best part was putting it back together and painting all the parts. I learned a lot from PaPaw and I learned to use a hole saw on my seat bottom.
I picked my snowmobile colors red, white and blue to look like a Polaris
Mustang which I liked a lot.
It really felt good when it was all done. I think it’s cool and can’t wait to ride my snowmobile, and race my brother this winter.
NOTE: The two mini-snowmobiles are shown on the OLD IRON III video.
MAKE A PLAN TO INVOLVE A NEWER GENERATION
Sure, it’s fun to drive and show off our old classic snowmobiles, but there can be great pleasure and reward with the restoration process itself.
We all enjoy this sport because it brings back fond memories of clean and cold family fun.
So why not involve your new family generations in this experience?
Think about it… For the cost of a new video gaming console, you could instead purchase a restorable classic snowmobile for your kids or grandkids. The plan is
to move them from “X-Box” and into “toolbox”. There are many positives. The teardown
alone could be some “dirty fun”. (Remember when you first took something apart?) Then cart the pieces to the sandblaster. The resulting cleaned metal will excite and motivate any novice restorer. Next, its time to get out the spray can primer.
From this point on, it will depend on the motivation, time and capabilities of your generational restoration team. Things like engine work, upholstery and paint can be farmed out to professionals, or tackled in your garage. Your end product need not be a show winner. Instead, the objective is to involve the new generation. (Remember Carly cutting the holes in the plywood seat base? A small step yes, but significant to her.)
The kids can certainly help with the website search for parts. (Allow
them to show you their superiority at the keyboard.) How about a fun Saturday morning with the kids at a swap meet?
Bring your new partners to the chrome shop or to the upholsterer. Have them watch the
carb cleaning. Illustrate and advise but also make it fun and at a pace comfortable for the newbies. Reinforce the end reward --- a child or grandchild on their first vintage run, proudly proclaiming that I DID IT!
WHY INVOLVE A NEWER GENERATION?
- Replace their texting with wrenching
- Build their mechanical skills and a “can-do” attitude
that will boost self-esteem
- Game Boy to new mechanical toy
- Time spent with the younger generation is
invaluable. The kids will thank
you later.
- Shop time is quality time.
- Our kids are our future – and the future of our
sport
an impressive collection of old snowmobiles. Indeed, John is the immediate past
President of the Antique Snowmobile Club of America (http://www.ascoa.org). They remain in Ohio to be close to their children and grandchildren, and here is one reason why….
To Jack McGuirk, age 9, and Carly McGuirk, age 11, grandfather John is known as “PaPaw”.
Well, PaPaw made the kids an offer that they simply couldn’t refuse. He would provide them with vintage mini-sleds if the pair would make a significant contribution to their
restoration. For the three of them, it was a win-win-win situation.
Jack started restoration on his 1971 Sno Pony in July of 2009 and Carly began the restoration of her 1969 Snow Flake in August of 2009. Both restorations were completed and running by June of 2010. Can you imagine their pride in driving them last winter? Or explaining
that they were a real part of the end product?
Both Jack and Carly performed over 85% of all the mechanical work. Both did all the
disassembly and all the putting back together. They learned the names of many
tools such as a ratchet and wrenches. They also learned to use a skill saw to
cut out their seat boards and Carly even used the hole saw on her seat bottom.
The kids went to the sandblaster to see what he does in removing paint and rust.
The brother and sister did all the paint priming which was quite a learning
experience (read“mess”). Final painting was performed by PaPaw.
During the process, a log was kept of what they did each time they got to work on their snowmobiles and pictures were taken occasionally of the progress being made.
Here is what Carly wrote of the experience:
I like to build things and my brother had started working on a snowmobile with my PaPaw. I asked if I could also work on a snowmobile.
Well, I sure found out it was a big step up from my Lego’s.
The biggest challenge was taking the snowmobile apart. I didn’t like all
the dirt and grease but it was cool when it was all done.
The best part was putting it back together and painting all the parts. I learned a lot from PaPaw and I learned to use a hole saw on my seat bottom.
I picked my snowmobile colors red, white and blue to look like a Polaris
Mustang which I liked a lot.
It really felt good when it was all done. I think it’s cool and can’t wait to ride my snowmobile, and race my brother this winter.
NOTE: The two mini-snowmobiles are shown on the OLD IRON III video.
MAKE A PLAN TO INVOLVE A NEWER GENERATION
Sure, it’s fun to drive and show off our old classic snowmobiles, but there can be great pleasure and reward with the restoration process itself.
We all enjoy this sport because it brings back fond memories of clean and cold family fun.
So why not involve your new family generations in this experience?
Think about it… For the cost of a new video gaming console, you could instead purchase a restorable classic snowmobile for your kids or grandkids. The plan is
to move them from “X-Box” and into “toolbox”. There are many positives. The teardown
alone could be some “dirty fun”. (Remember when you first took something apart?) Then cart the pieces to the sandblaster. The resulting cleaned metal will excite and motivate any novice restorer. Next, its time to get out the spray can primer.
From this point on, it will depend on the motivation, time and capabilities of your generational restoration team. Things like engine work, upholstery and paint can be farmed out to professionals, or tackled in your garage. Your end product need not be a show winner. Instead, the objective is to involve the new generation. (Remember Carly cutting the holes in the plywood seat base? A small step yes, but significant to her.)
The kids can certainly help with the website search for parts. (Allow
them to show you their superiority at the keyboard.) How about a fun Saturday morning with the kids at a swap meet?
Bring your new partners to the chrome shop or to the upholsterer. Have them watch the
carb cleaning. Illustrate and advise but also make it fun and at a pace comfortable for the newbies. Reinforce the end reward --- a child or grandchild on their first vintage run, proudly proclaiming that I DID IT!
WHY INVOLVE A NEWER GENERATION?
- Replace their texting with wrenching
- Build their mechanical skills and a “can-do” attitude
that will boost self-esteem
- Game Boy to new mechanical toy
- Time spent with the younger generation is
invaluable. The kids will thank
you later.
- Shop time is quality time.
- Our kids are our future – and the future of our
sport
