BOLD RIDE
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A few weeks ago, we stumbled upon an absolutely monumental Ford Model A. It sported massive tractor tires and was used to deliver mail through the snowy Montana hills, circa 1936. Nicknamed ‘Bigfoot’, one would think it to be the ideal vintage Ford for conquering winter. It is… unless you have one of these.
This is a Ford Model T snowmobile.
It features tank-like track attachments for the rear wheels, ski attachments for the front, and although it predates the rugged ‘Bigfoot’ by a few years, this aged brute ought to keep you fairly unstuck this winter. Interested? It’s up for sale on eBay.
The story begins in 1913 when Ford dealer and apparent winter enthusiast Virgil D. White decided that the Model T just wasn’t capable enough to tackle the snowy winters of his hometown, Ossipee, New Hampshire. His solution? Make it capable. White removed the car’s standard rear axle and suspension, replaced it with heavy duty truck running gear, fashioned together the skis and metal tracks, and voila – the world’s first “snowmobile.”
By 1922, with patent in hand, White began selling the attachments at Ford dealerships. Three years later, White sold the manufacturing rights to the Farm Specialty Manufacturing Company, which kept production going until 1929. It’s unclear whether this 1924 Model T was an original conversion or a later adaptation using White’s snowmobile kit, though it is seriously cool nonetheless.
Underneath the hood lies the ubiquitous Ford side-valve four-cylinder engine, which is driving a two-speed Ruckstell rear end. Out back there’s plenty of room for all of your friends to be cold, oh joy. While it certainly won’t be fast, it’ll definitely get you there.
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