Snowmobile Sleighs
Bluebill
Bluebill Marine Specialties (BMS) is famous for the Bluebill sleigh.
BMS offered the following colors: Black, Blue, Blue/White, Orange,
Red, Red/Black, Red/White, and Yellow. Of note, the two tone
colors are hard to find. Many snowmobile dealers
that brand(s) didn't offer sleighs/cuttters sold Bluebills and
Sno-Cruisers (below) to fill the void. Some dealers even put
decals on them to match the sled color. An couple of examples
are pictures showing a black Bluebill with Arctic Cat Logo decal
being towed by an Arctic Cat; the orange AMF ski-daddler Bluebill.
It has not yet been confirmed if BMS actually made these direct for
manufactures. Some believe yes BMS did and some believe Trayco
in Lapeer may have made different styles of cutters and sleighs for
others to offer. If you can help with more information please let us
know. Also, back in the 1970s BMS was located at 23733 Dhondt Ct in
Mt. Clemens, 48043. Later rezoning moved the street city to
Chesterfield, 48051 and relined the numbering system.
Defoe
Defoe Shipbuilding in Bay City started out as Defoe Boat & Motor
Works in 1905. The name was changed to Defoe Shipbuilding in 1942.
After WW II, trying to diversify, they even ventured in the home
building modular supplies. In the late 1960s they were having
a hard time securing future Navy contracts. They looked at other
ventures and snowmobiling was just beginning to boom. Their all
aluminum sleigh was light, but sturdy and unique--it was designed to
be pulled by snowmobile or horse. Only one Defoe Sleigh is known to
exist (pictured). Sadly, the company closed in December in 1976.
General Aluminum Products (GAP)
GAP in Charlotte released their first production sleigh in 1967.
Over the years GAP made one and multi-passenger; Rescue Unit;
Sno-Camper (like a Pop-Up Travel Trailer); and an utility fold down
Dog Sled style sleigh.
GAP Carry-All
The GAP Carry-All utility sled was first offered for the 1969-1970
winter season. A very high quality aluminum dog sled style
sleigh that folded down to 10" high and weighed less than 60 lbs
with a list price of just under $100. An optional Comfort Kit (Front
Snow deflector, Side Curtains and Cushions) was available for
$15.90.
GAP Rescue Unit
The GAP Sno-Cruiser Rescue Unit was basically a portable
stretcher on skies with a 360 degree freedom of movement hitch. It
came with a folding hospital stretcher that locked into position and
a built-in kit box to store medical supplies. It was offered on an
order only basis with basic list price of $395. Special thanks to
Steve B for allowing us to use three photos of his Rescue Unit.
GAP Sno-Camper
The GAP Sno-Cruiser Sno-Camper was truly an all-season camper.
After winter it fit into a pickup truck! It slept two adults that
set up and folded down in minutes. An optional ice fishing hole made
for shirt sleeve fishing in comfort. There is one on display
at the Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum in Naubinway.
GAP
Sno-Cruiser
This was one of the most popular non-OEM sleighs ever. Like
the Bluebill above, many snowmobile dealers sold Sno-Cruisers. Some
even matched color schemes and put decals on them to match the sled
(examples: "Massey-Ferguson (MF), Scorpion, ski-daddler, Ski-Whiz,
and skiroule to name a few). MF even sold re-branded Charlotte based
GAP Sno-Cruisers as there own as well as Ariens. They were one of
the few that actually had GAP Sno-Cruisers in their dealership
brochures. Also, Sears and Roebuck sold Sno-Cruisers under their
name. Sadly many Sno-Cruisers that were in the barn; yard or weeds
waiting to be found were indeed found by scrappers in the mid-2000s
when Aluminum prices were at an all time high. The skis didn't take
up much actual space and were heavy.
Lakeland MFG Co Inc
Lakeland Manufacturing Company Inc out of Manchester, Michigan made
fiberglass sleighs and the Versa-Cap one and two snowmobile trailer
covers in the early 1970s until around 1974. The sleigh had a unique
feature, a Snap On and Off windscreen. Some assets where sold
off in the mid-'70s. Known colors were Blue, Red, White and
Yellow.
Linabery
Linabery Sleighs were made in Gladwin in the late 1960s and early
'70s. Very unique design mixing the Trapper Sleigh style with
the sit down cutter. Best of both worlds! Sadly, only
one is known to exist (pictured).
Meadowbrook
Located in Dearborn, Meadowbrook Manufacturing Corporation's Super
Snow Transport (SST) aka Flash-Pak was a Four-Season folding
toboggan designed to be easy to move and portable when not in use.
Meadowbrook filed it's patent in 1972; approved in 1974. It
was made of lightweight high-impact automotive polyethylene that
could hold 3,000 pounds and float on water. You could use it as a
Snowmobile Sleigh in the winter; Spring and Summer tow behind a
boat; and Fall for hunting and wood hauling. They came in two
different lengths (6' (two sections) and 8' (three sections) with
three High Gloss color options: Apple Green, Hunter's Orange, and
Jet Blue. They were sold and Marine and Snowmobile Dealers across
Michigan then the Northern Tier. A&W Root Beer used the orange
6-foot version as promotional adverting with the A&W logo on the two
seat cushions.. Even Hudson's in Detroit sold them back in the very
early to mid-1970s. They are hard to find, especially the
8-Foot model. While extremely well built to hold great weights
the Sun's UV rays were not kind to the plastic.
Mush Sleigh
The Mush Sleigh was made by Alloy Marine in Algonac. Styled after
the Alaskan Dog Sled this folding sleigh was primarily made of
rugged steel. It came in black or Tangerine. The Mush Sleigh logo
and sleigh itself is one of the most beloved for Michigan
collectors.
PAMCO
George Pardonnet started Pardonnet Mfg Co Inc (PAMCO) in the
mid-1960s. PAMCO products were outstanding quality. Their single
wide snowmobile trailer (Swivel Tongue) is still often seen in use
around the Great Lakes state. Fun n Snow Camper was truly All-Season
(carry in Station Wagon, in a Pick-Up Bed or Towed by a Snowmobile).
For unknown reasons PAMCO creased production in the late-1970s. The
also made a snowmobile sleigh--can you help with info?
Product M
Product M, out of Grand Ledge, made their "Snowmobile Sled" for
winter 1974-1975. Not much is known past what's on their
advertisement (please see picture). Can you please help with more
info?
Sleigh Buggy
New Frontier Corporation in Grand Rapids made the
Scatmobile, but many do not know they
also offered one of the first all-season pull behind sleighs called
the "sleigh buggy." Thanks to Matt B for sending the dealer
spec sheet in. If you know anymore about the "sleigh buggy"
please get with us.
Sno Savage
Ski-Bobbing in the late 1960s was huge in Europe. People
not comfortable on skis or looking for something different
than skiing on the steep Alpine slopes turned to Ski-Bob(s).
A Ski-Bob has a single frame with a steering ski up front
and fixed rear ski attached with a seat, the rider would
strap on skis. Very stable! With the off-shore market
starting to impact domestic Mini-Bike and related sales
Michigan based Michrina Enterprises (Lil' Indian Mini-Bike
folks) got in the
Ski-Bob game with their Sno Savage. The Michrina Brothers
made two models: Chalet and Olympian. The Chalet was the beginner
model and the Olympian was advanced with competition skis and a
upgraded rear suspension system. It was a quality made
product just like everything Michrina made; however, it
faced the same problem that Michigan's Sherman Poppen's
Snurfer did--almost all of the ski lodges wouldn't allow it
on the slopes. There were a lot of Sno Savages laying around
in 1971 and it did gain some traction with the Skijoring (a
winter sport in which a person on skis is pulled by a horse,
a dog or a motor vehicle) crowd. Well, what better motor
vehicle than a snowmobile! An optional tow-rope release kit
(release hitch via a hand brake lever) made it a breeze to
un-hook and feel the freedom, and fun, of being untethered.
A later Sno Savage advertising picture even showed one being
towed by a sled. Sno Savage came in blue and white. While
there are a couple of handfuls of blue ones in collections
the only white one known to exist is on display at the
Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum in Nabinway, Michigan. Also,
it can be seen on their web site. Thanks to Cliff S for
sending the brochure pictures; Brian G for the model pictures.
The Sliding Machine
This dual purpose toboggan was made in Detroit for the slopes and
snowmobiling with IEC's one ton pull capacity Sno-mobile hitch.
Trail King
Trail King 1-2-3 FOLD-A-SLED was made in Portland, Michigan. The
product was assembled (less seat and seat back) and completely
dipped in black paint then electrostatic baked on. Then the Michigan
procured wood for the seat and seat back was natural protected by
clear varnish was installed. The Trail King, along with the
Michigan Made Trail-Rite (below) were the most manufactured Trapper
Style sleighs during the snowmobile boom years. The 1-2-3 was
so popular they even sold them in Canada.
Trail-Rite
Stafco, formed in 1952, out of Mancelona was one of the first
makers of snowmobile sleighs. Their motto even was "Trail-Rite
- The Original Snowmobile Sled. The U.S. Patent Office in the
March 12, 1968, TM 65, notices "Trail-Rite" trademark was filed on
July 27, 1966 by Stafco in Mancelona. They were painted in the most
popular sled colors to match the snowmobile. Over time there
were variations. Even full skirting and a windscreen added (see
photo) and only two are known to exist (Kalkaska and Gaylord).
Trayco
Trayco Company Inc in Lapeer made snowmobile sleighs and ice fishing
shanties in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Tracer was their
flagship model and came in white (most popular), blue, red, and
yellow. The Trayco Snow Traveler Camper was one of very few
snowmobile sleigh campers. During the end of production they
made a very stylish model. To date only two are known to exist
(both sold out of Alpena by Lake Land Specialties) in Gaylord and
Ohio.
Voyager
Voyager Products Inc started making sleighs in the late 1960s in
Detroit across from the old Packard Plant. After 1971 they moved to
Mt Clemens. They came in many different colors including the hard to
find yellow, but the Deep Solid Red was by far the most popular.
Over time two different undercarriages, skis, and tow bar interfaces
were used.
Yukon
Craftline Industries from 1971 to 1978 in Algonac made four models
of fiberglass canoes; an 11-foot, two-passenger, sport runabout
called the Scat-A-Boat; along with Yukon snowmobile sleighs. Thanks
to Doug L for the pictures and identifying this recently uncovered
piece of Michigan snowmobile history.
OTHERS
A-16
Military A-16 Aerial Delivery Sled. Military Specification A-16
called for a lightweight sled made of magnesium alloy or similar
alloy for emergency survival kits for hauling heavy and bulky items
over ice and snow. Three by different companies produced the A-1:
National Light Materials and Plastics Company (started making the
first of 1,208 sleds in 1956) in Caro, Michigan; the Bellanca
Aircraft Company and Magnesium Company of America. The specification
stated red; however, some where orange, white, and grey. The
commercial off-the-shelf G-1 parachute was a logical choice to use
with orange canopy. When obsolete in the military many people bought
them via Air Force Supply Squadron's DRMO sales for use as ice
fishing often towed behind snowmobiles and even colleges for cold
weather field study. There is one on display at the Top of the Lake
Snowmobile Museum in Naubinway, Michigan. Thank you to Doug L and
Terry W for help in my research.
Mystery Sleigh
Can you help identify this Michigan Made Sleigh? If so, please
contact us. Thank you. The Qamutiik style three are
known (two in the Tri-Cities and one near Clear Lake north of West
Branch). Have a pretty loose lead it was made in the Mio/Rose
City region. There most likely are many more of these out there.
Again, any help or leads would be really appreciated it to document
who made this. Thank you!
.
Dedication and Thank You
Dedicated to those who invented; designed; made; sold; serviced;
and owned Snowmobiles, Over Snow Vehicles (OSV), and End Item
related OSV products made in Michigan. Thanks to those who helped
contribute with special mention US Patent Office, Google Patents,
Google Books, Popular Science magazine, The Winning Edge Magazine,
Lisa from the Lakeview Area Museum, Oakland County Historical
Resources, Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum, Richard L (Editor and
Publisher of the Presque Isle County Advance), twintrackworld web
site, the late Bud Knapp for inspiration, Chris B of Premier RPC,
Bill S, Bob H, Bob L and Norma in Special Collections at the Alpena
County Library, Albert S, Bob W, Brad L, Brent C, Charlie and Marilyn V, Cliff
S (Mini-Bike OSV Section and Snow-Trac), Tom and Linda D, Doug L, Doug M, E.F.
Lindsey, Edward J, Holli T, Jeff H, John Gendregske, Kevin M, Larry
K, Les H, Matt B, Mike Q, Mario C, Richard H, Roger and Karen J,
Steve B, Steve and Sherry L, Todd H, Todd K, Vinnie D, and John M
for access to his extensive research and photos.