The First Snowmobile: The Model T

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Most people do not associate the snowmobile with PreWar Motoring, but just like many other enjoyable motoring conveyances the snowmobile was a product of the time. Seeing a demand for reliable and effective winter transportation, at a time before common four wheel drive and plowed roads, Virgil D White of Ossipee New Hampshire invented the first snowmobile ever by converting a Buick car by adding sleds and tracks. By the early 1920s the snowmobile design was in full production this time exclusively for the Ford Model T runabout, TT, and other body styles. And for around half a decade these curious machines were pumped out and sold to those in less than fair climates. So yes, the fist snowmobile ever sold to the public is in fact the Ford model T, the Tin Lizzy.
Be sure to checkout the the Model T Snowmobile Club!
www.modeltfordsnowmobile.com/i...
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[@PreWarMotoring]

To submit a video of your own email us at: [e-mail]

[@darrenmajeski808]

The first half track

[@TheMercMen]

That's me and Eric, at minute 2:32!😁

[@PreWarMotoring]

Looked cold that day!

[@cartmanrlsusall]

I remember the frosty the snowman animated feature had one .

[@themanguy2110]

You mean Santa Claus is Coming To Town

[@SirFloofy001]

Im sorry but every time i see one of these scooting around on tracks and skis all i can hear is "get around round round i get around"

[@sergebrunet4218]

J.A. Bombardier invented the snomobile ! the Ski-doo ! go see the museum in Valcourt, QC. the yellow snowmobiles you see in this video were Bombardier ! Ski-doo ! there s a movie in French and English version too. It s in 2 parts.

[@ziffelpig9249]

This IS NOT the first snowmobile. It was invented at Boulder Junction, Wis. What you have is not a snowmobile, but a autonobile with a track add on.

[@PreWarMotoring]

I think you make a fair argument, but to be overly semantic the Model T conversion was the first to use the term snowmobile en masse. So one could make the argument that modern snowmobiles are toboggans without a car ;)

[@czechmate6916]

That was a great idea for people back then but a the price of a new car I can see why not to many people bought them.

[@PreWarMotoring]

Absolutely

[@nathanmeece9794]

This must have been the inspiration for the one in Santa Claus is Coming To Town

[@ericd7532]

Years ago my high school auto tech teacher built one of these from a VW bug

[@RayleighCriterion]

From Westegg Inflation Calculator: What cost $250 in 1925 would cost $4433.42 in 2023. What cost $395 in 1925 would cost $7004.81 in 2023.
Due to the massive hyperinflation of the last 50 years, those prices in today's worthless dollars would be closer to $6250 and $9875.
Remember that back in the 1920's one could purchase all the materials to build a house from Sears at a cost between $1092 (for a basic bungalow) to $2297 (for a fine 2 story home.)

[@Wildicon19]

My question is, why does inflation have to happen? It seems pointless.

[@RayleighCriterion]

@@Wildicon19 Inflation is what criminal governments do, because they want to steal value from the people's money.
The normal course of an economy should be price deflation as the money becomes more valuable and the cost to produce products should drop.

[@wesdowling1340]

This isnot a snowmobile its a car with tracks

[@PreWarMotoring]

When it was introduced it was the first use of the term snowmobile. While not what we think of today as a snowmobile this car follows the function, and the name of the modern counterpart.

[@1TruePatriot]

Wrong. As explained below, when there WERE no "snowmobiles," this WAS the first snowMOBILE. (Way to tell us you think history began the day you were born without telling us that you think history began the day you were born. 😂)

[@slothzombi307]

This the first use of the name Snowmobile. What we have today are snowscooters, snow machines, which use the generic term snowmobile.

[@huntsbychainsaw5986]

So, arbitrarily picking 1926 for a reference time, your $250-$390 usd kit adjusted for inflation at $4,332-$6,758 todays money could be installed on your $380 car adjusted to $6,585 for inflation to make it a snowmobile.
Proportionally comparing the vehicle's msrp to the cost of the kit being nearly the same cost or more expensive than the vehicle would definitely be a limiting factor but comparing that to anything sold today it almost hurts a little.
You can't buy a new sled for that price anymore let alone a car or even motorcycle.
Edit: Ironically the cost of upgrading some two wheel drive trucks to four wheel drive particularly if you want a two speed transfer case can be between $5k and $7k on top of the base msrp. So.... yep.