Bull Sessions member earnhardtnorth aka Ryan Koenig sent us this story months ago and after a bunch of technological bubbling on my part, finally appears for you to view. Huge apologies…..
1959 Autoboggan C-10-E serial# 675
I purchased the sled in Cambridge, Ontario but it came from New Hampshire to Cambridge. I have not been able to trace the history of this particular machine beyond that. After months of research that spanned from Maine, New Hampshire to Iowa to Minnesota to Polaris itself, it was determined that this sled was one of about 8 or 10 that were painted white in Roseau. Upon tear down the original white paint was visible on different parts all over the sled, a piece big enough to copy was found on the front drive sprockets to match the colour. Any metal was repaired to straighten out 54 years of use, a new track was fabricated, the engine was disassembled, blasted and repainted as was the entire sled. New wooden sliders and skis were built, a new frame was constructed for the new canvas cab to keep you warm on a stormy day. A new tag was correctly made using the same acid etching technique as the original and was made in England.
On and off the project lasted for almost two years and was completed in Sept of 2013 in time for the Toronto Snowmobile Show. There it was displayed with a period correct Polaris Freighter Toboggan in tow. The maiden showing was in the Antique and Classic Snowmobile Club of Canada’s display booth.
This project couldn’t have been completed without all the great people I have met thru the vintage sled community, my friends and local businesses, and vintagesleds.com. I want to thank all who helped with bringing this sled back to her original glory. And if you have any info on the history of this sled…I’d love to hear about it!
Thanks, Ryan
**LET IT SNOW**
Among the information that Ryan sent me were these notes:
Hand pinstriped by Rollie Guertin of Guelph Ontario. My good friend Art Seydel from East Grand Forks N.D. helped with the production of the new track among other things. The sled was painted by Paul Willie of Willie’s Custom & Collision in Wingham Ontario. My buddy “Dinky” helped with lots on the sled at every stage.
The bottom 2 pictures were taken at the 2013 Toronto snowmobile show…the sled’s first showing! It made people stop and have a look and every kid there just had to kneel and pet the pelts! The sled was featured on three live TV shows that were at the show that weekend. And it made the trip there and back without a scratch despite being in a 22’ trailer with the Freighter Toboggan, my 1991.5 RXL, 1964 Comet, and my 1963 K-70-D.
