2001 Model T Ford Snowmobile Rally
This picture set was originally posted in 2001 on our old web server but had to be removed for space considerations. When I went to restore it on our new spacious server I was able to find the photos on my computer but not the text page. So, I have reconstructed the text page as best as I could. If there are corrections to be made I am sure that someone will let me know.
I had never seen a Model T Ford Snowmobile. Heck, I had never even HEARD
of a Model T snowmobile! But when word spread through the New England
Model Engineering Society that the Model T snowmobile association was having a
winter rally up in New Hampshire in February '01 it seemed like a good excuse
for a road trip. My wife and I loaded the boys into the car (if you
haven't seen the boys on other pages you will meet them soon) and took off for
the Granite state.
That's me, Errol Groff, standing by a Ford Snowmobile. It was quite cold
that day but the sky was crystal blue and the air was crisp.
Here I am pointing to the tracks that make it possible for this auto to glide
across the snow. An extra axle is added under the car and the tracks are
wrapped around the two wheels (on both sides of course). The front axle is
adjustable to provide tension to the track. The regular real axle provides
the drive.
A close up of the track as it wraps around the rear wheel
This car has the rear tracks installed but retains its normal front tires.
Also seen at the rally is this steam traction engine, the Lombard Log
Hauler. This machine can normally be seen at Clarks
Trading Post in North Woodstock NH.
Another of the cars present
This pick up truck has the tracks in back and in place of the front tires it
sports a pair of skis to improve steering
A better view of the steam log hauler
This car was having difficulty. The driving wheels were slipping inside
the tracks and it was going nowhere
Standing next to a postal delivery truck my heavily bundled wife, Terri, waits
for the ride that had been offered to us.
Hey, she wanted to ride in back. Honest! Riding inside wasn't a
whole lot warmer I can tell you.
The boys, Roy Bear and Eddie Moose, tried their hand at snowmobiling.
They both decided that the warm van was a better way to go. They are the
best traveling companions. Never complain, never need to stop for the
potty and NEVER EVER ask if we are there yet.
The boys check out the track mechanism
This old snowmobile is more their size