Not long back, collectors of vintage snowmobiles just let their rigs sit in their backyard without anyone knowing about it. These machines are coming back to home base at West Ossipee where it all started these days. The vintage snowmobile collectors group is definitely growing. They are even planning to hold annual meetings and shows in the years to come.
Back in the 1920s, 20,000 conversion kits were produced in this town. These kits transformed the Ford Model Ts into the first snowmobiles ever built. It was an era when plowed roads were almost unheard of and conventional wheels were sidelined until warmer weather returned.
The first snowmobiles were fairly bigger and slower compared to their modern descendants but both relied on the same process. The old rig had moving belt for traction, and had skis for maneuvering the front part of the machine. It was equipped with 4 cylinder 20 horse power engines and can reach top speeds of 15 miles per hour. It had 5 foot wooden and runners and caterpillar like tracks that are 8 inches wide.
Despite the shortcomings of these early machines, they do get the job done. When other modes of transportation were dealt inoperable by snowy weather conditions, Virgil D. White, the owner of the factory that was responsible for these conversion kits, drove tourists around the area in the snowmobile. Mail delivery was made possible, and even doctors were able to make house calls despite the condition.
The first conversion kits sold at $400 while a complete set commanded a price of $750. By 1923, there were only 75 kits sold. However, when people saw these machines in action, sales picked up to 2,500 a year. The demand later dropped when the snow plows became very popular.
The snowmobile was the biggest thing to ever hit West Ossipee. At the time, these conversion kits were exported around the world.
The old factory is still there where it used to sit originally. Back in 1929, a big fire heavily damaged the factory so it is not clear how much of the original structure remains.
Vintage snowmobile collectors are bringing these awesome machines this year back to West Ossipee to celebrate its heritage. The Ford Model Ts were one of the most versatile vehicles to roam the road. The addition of attachments made it an all season transportation. A particular set of attachments even turned the T into a sand mobile, thus making it probably the first ever all terrain vehicle.
Back in the 1920s, 20,000 conversion kits were produced in this town. These kits transformed the Ford Model Ts into the first snowmobiles ever built. It was an era when plowed roads were almost unheard of and conventional wheels were sidelined until warmer weather returned.
The first snowmobiles were fairly bigger and slower compared to their modern descendants but both relied on the same process. The old rig had moving belt for traction, and had skis for maneuvering the front part of the machine. It was equipped with 4 cylinder 20 horse power engines and can reach top speeds of 15 miles per hour. It had 5 foot wooden and runners and caterpillar like tracks that are 8 inches wide.
Despite the shortcomings of these early machines, they do get the job done. When other modes of transportation were dealt inoperable by snowy weather conditions, Virgil D. White, the owner of the factory that was responsible for these conversion kits, drove tourists around the area in the snowmobile. Mail delivery was made possible, and even doctors were able to make house calls despite the condition.
The first conversion kits sold at $400 while a complete set commanded a price of $750. By 1923, there were only 75 kits sold. However, when people saw these machines in action, sales picked up to 2,500 a year. The demand later dropped when the snow plows became very popular.
The snowmobile was the biggest thing to ever hit West Ossipee. At the time, these conversion kits were exported around the world.
The old factory is still there where it used to sit originally. Back in 1929, a big fire heavily damaged the factory so it is not clear how much of the original structure remains.
Vintage snowmobile collectors are bringing these awesome machines this year back to West Ossipee to celebrate its heritage. The Ford Model Ts were one of the most versatile vehicles to roam the road. The addition of attachments made it an all season transportation. A particular set of attachments even turned the T into a sand mobile, thus making it probably the first ever all terrain vehicle.
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