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NHTom's Web Log

SNELL SPACE

8/5/08

Well it's been way too long since I have had a chance to do any updates here in retro land.  I have spent the last few weeks moving into a new house which has proven to be a true test of my stress limits.  Now that things are starting to settle a bit, I will get back to the updates.  The other good news is that with a 4 bay garage, I might actually get some of my projects done......and it never hurts to brag about the garage just to get Jay wound up!

 

8/5/08

Let's get things rolling again with more of Russ Swenton's "Bush Wackin" adventures.

Russ got a call that an Allied Hustler was sitting where it had died and was about to be cut up and hauled off for scrap. 

Russ did the humane thing and rescued the old girl from the torch and crusher. 

I think we all know how the rest of the story goes......while stopped on the ride home, a woman approached Russ and asked if he wanted another old "Ski Doo".  Like a man after my own heart, Russ couldn't say no to that so he picked up find number two.

With a WheelHorse Safari 399 next to that Allied, we can only be thankful that Russ wasn't mobbed by crowds of screaming sled groupies on his way home.

Well Done Russ!!!  Keep them alive!!!

7/8/08

Here are some "Bush Wackin'" updates from Russ Swenton.

I'll let Russ tell the story of these finds................

Just getting around to posting some of last year's finds. I had a guy at
work ask me if he could use my truck to go pick up some '68 Mustang
parts. It seems a guy his dad knew was junking a car he had on his
property. I offered to go along for the ride to help him and to save
time as I needed to use the truck that day myself. . When we got there,
I noticed a construction low boy trailer with about 8 sleds on it
sideways. All Cats from around the 73-75 era. Panthers,Cheetahs etc. All
stuck from siting. Nothing exciting. Guy says he wants $25.00 each for
any sled on the trailer that has a motor. Once we got all of the Mustang
parts loaded, the guy says I can't believe you are not interested in at
least one of those sleds. I told him they were actually too new for me.
He then points to an old shed at the back of his property and says: Did
you see the two old ones in the shed when you were getting the Mustang
parts? I said No,but I will go look. I raced back to the house and asked
him what he wanted for both of them. He said For the older one without
the motor I would have to get less than the ones with motors, so $15.00
is about right but the newer"250" that runs I will have to get at least
$75.00 for that one as I think it is a racer. No problem,I replied. I'll
take them both. I did have to go back to get some of the Mustang parts
once I got the sleds unloaded at home.

All I can say is that I'm having Russ ride shotgun on my next sled hunt.

Thanks for the story Russ!!!!

More on the way from Russ' adventures soon!

Don't forget to send in YOUR pics!!!!

6/13/08

Here are some great collictibles from TJ Henriksen

These answer the question "Do you REALLLLY need that??" with a resounding YES!

Thanks TJ!!  Keep all those great pics comming.

6/10/08

I got to meet Brian Stiles at the NH swap this weekend and he promised me some pictures from the trip up Mount Washington this year. 

    

This is a ride I'm going to have to make one year because it always looks like they have a great time.

Thanks for the great pics Brian!!

6/7/08

Had a great day today at the NH Snowmobile Museum Swap meet.

It was a great day in many areas, but one area I felt needed to be singled out for special mention.  (forgive me while I ramble)

This winter, Jay came to me in a very depressed state of mind.  Between the rollercoaster ride that he and Tatianna had been on with the adoption process and the general insanity of being a professional in the snowmobile industry, Jay (as many of you know) was considering shutting down RetroSno.  Having been a spectator to his rollercoaster ride and a fellow snowmobile industry professional, I could easily understand his point.  As a fan of RetroSno, I was crushed.  I attempted to think of a way to support one of my best friends in a tough descision and at the same time keep RetroSno alive.  After many late night phone calls and a lot of brainstorming, I laid an offer of assistance on the table for Jay.  Because of his level of character, Jay would only accept if I agreed to a co-administrator position instead of assistant.  Feeling quite honored, I accepted and within weeks the topic of getting one of the hobby's "young guns" involved came up.  We had both had the pleasure of meeting Joe at the Oakhill show and given the fact that he had quickly earned our respect, our roving reporter was a logical choice.  Throw in the spiritual and sponsorhip support of one of Jay's closest friends, Skiroule Pete, and the puzzle was complete.

The point of my rambling (I warned you) is that today at the NH Museum swap, I had the pleasure of having many, many people come up to me and introduce themselves.  It was great to get to talk to so many of you at once.  The number of positive comments and compliments about how the "new" site is looking and progressing was astounding.  I had many people thank me personally for helping keep the sight going.  To hear so many people say "Well RetroSno.com is saved in my favorites and I check it as LEAST once a day..." was a very humbling experience.  I phoned Jay on the ride home and we both agree that you have answered loud and clear that we made the right descision.  I know that I can safely speak for the entire RetroSno family when I say.......

THANK YOU ALL!!!

Keep those pictures and stories comming and we'll keep things rolling.

 

6/7/08

Great day today at the NH Snowmobile Museum Swap meet.

Saw plenty of sleds changing trailers so fill us in on who got what!

Good turnout with plenty of interesting treasures just waiting to be found.  Lots of site work going on which should only improve the all ready great NH Snowmobile Museum events.

Don't forget to submit all the progress pics of those new found restorations so we can get them into the "Before and After" section!!

nhbassfish@aol.com

6/7/08

ALL IN THE FAMILY

With the addition of Rude Pup, it makes the point that the next generation of vintage sledders is upon us.

Sulley sent in these pics of his grandson picking out which sled he likes best.........with choices like that I know I'd have a hard time too.

  

Between his Grand father's collection and his own ZR120, this little guy is headed down the right track early!!  Thanks Sulley!

 

6/8/08

OK, Let's keep this family theme going, this time we have some great pics sent in by the husband/wife drag race team of Ronald and Mary Gillis from PEI Canada.

Ronald and Mary must know my weakness for 650 drag sleds.

   

       

On top of these beauties, the Gillis team also has a 76 440 Z in the works.

Thanks for the great pics and keep us posted on the restorations!

 

 

5/6/08

OK all you cross country and Polaris fans, I need your help.  I am looking for information on the 1979 Polaris TXC.  Pictures from back in the day, in action, or from any condition today, race history, memories, test reports, and anything else of use on learning more about the 1979 Polaris TXC.

Please send TXC info to nhbassfish@aol.com