Chaparral vs John Deere: A Build-Off Challenge

[euphoric1]

Was there anything remotely close to that as far as engineering goes when that sled was produced? and what happened to Chaparral? too ahead of their time? one of the big 3 absorb it?

 

[gary_in_neenah]

Let me sub for Kelly who's away from his computer this weekend as I was wondering the same thing; I pulled the following off a couple of related sources.

The first liquid-cooled snowmobile was the 1972 Brut LC44, built by Brutanza Engineering, Inc. of Brooten, Minnesota. The company was later bought by Scorpion Industries, which produced the liquid-cooled Scorpion Bruts starting in 1974.

• 1972: Brutanza Engineering created the first liquid-cooled snowmobile, the Brut LC44, with a radiator for cooling.
• 1973: Brutanza replaced the radiator with heat exchangers, which were another industry first.
• 1974: Scorpion Industries bought Brutanza and produced the liquid-cooled 340 and 440 models as Scorpion Bruts.

Chaparral introduced its liquid-cooled SSX model in 1974.
I believe that's the model that "the K Man" is restoring.​

 

[euphoric1]

Let me sub for Kelly who's away from his computer this weekend as I was wondering the same thing; I pulled the following off a couple of related sources.

The first liquid-cooled snowmobile was the 1972 Brut LC44, built by Brutanza Engineering, Inc. of Brooten, Minnesota. The company was later bought by Scorpion Industries, which produced the liquid-cooled Scorpion Bruts starting in 1974.

• 1972: Brutanza Engineering created the first liquid-cooled snowmobile, the Brut LC44, with a radiator for cooling.
• 1973: Brutanza replaced the radiator with heat exchangers, which were another industry first.
• 1974: Scorpion Industries bought Brutanza and produced the liquid-cooled 340 and 440 models as Scorpion Bruts.

Chaparral introduced its liquid-cooled SSX model in 1974.
I believe that's the model that "the K Man" is restoring.​

Thanks Gary! one of the neighbor kids growing up had a Brut, didn't pay much attention to years and what it had back then, was just cool to be one of the kids on the block with a snowmobile, interesting that it was back in 1972 the first liquid cooled snowmobile was produced!

 

[old abe]

Skiroule, a friend of mine's father had a Chap that looked just like the Chap you have pictured. They were one sweet ride back in that time frame! Perhaps a bit ahead of the time?