Vintage Trivia; Page 2

[gary_in_neenah]

3,000 views is a pretty good response for the original posts. We'll be changing things up a bit going forward. If you answer a question correctly, you'll have the opportunity to ask the next one. Just remember to monitor your question so we don't get hung up with no answer. I'm thinking if you're question doesn't get answered in a 24 hour period, you can answer your own and then ask another.

Since Mezz has been spiking the ball almost every day, we'll have him go first. Let her Rip, Mezz!​

 

[mezz]

My apologies, I missed this, things have been crazy here. Which sled manufacture was the first with an independent front suspension?

 

[garageguy]

Artic cat

 

[arctic1]

chaparral

 

[euphoric1]

I second that.. chaparral

 

[garageguy]

Picture anyone??

 

[mezz]

chaparral

Picture anyone??

Bingo- 1972 Chaparral Firebird SSX - In 1972 auto racing legend & Indy 500 champion Bobby Unser & Chaparral engineers copied race car technology to create the first snowmobile with independent front suspension. The design was a precursor to the Polaris Indy TXL 340 in 1980 and later adopted by Ski Doo & Yamaha. In 1974 Chaparral abandoned the IFS & returned to the leaf spring suspension.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

Seems like those "ape hangars" would be awkward for racing in the corners. Style points, yes. Functionality, not so much.

Arctic 1 has the next question.​

 

[BigSix]

My apologies, I missed this, things have been crazy here. Which sled manufacture was the first with an independent front suspension?

Not to split hairs but most sleds had independent front suspension from the get go (1960's); each ski had it's own leaf spring and later, most manufacturers added a shock on each ski Some early manufacturers had one leaf spring mounted to a single spindle with each end connected to a ski. (SnowFlake photo below). I do know what you meant, however. Independent front suspension with trailing arm and/or a control arm mounted to the frame.