Ford Model T Snowmobile Pictures and Facts

by Nick Harris

Model T Snowmobile - In 1917 Virgil White was granted a patent to develop an attachment for the Ford Model T car that would allow it to drive in the snow. White was a Ford dealer in New Hampshire and he began developing his idea in 1913, he eventually brought the snowmobile to market in 1922 after perfecting his design.

The snowmobile tracks on the Ford Model T were sold as a kit which White patented and named "snowmobile". The snowmobile kits were distributed exclusively through the Ford motor company. The first model t snowmobiles included tracks made from metal cleats that were joined by fabric but later White adopted an all metal track with steel shoes and chain links. These Model T snowmobile pictures were taken by Travis Allison.

Only 70 snowmobile attachments were sold in 1923 and by 1925 manufacturing rights were sold to Farm Specialty Manufacturing Company of New Holstein, Wisconsin. FSMC later bought the snowmobile attachment patents and sent managers to run the factory in West Ossipee. 3300 units were produced from 1924 until 1929 when the company closed, the factory burned to the ground shortly afterwards.

Today these great looking snowmobiles are a labor of love. Not only is it difficult to find original model t snowmobile parts it's next to impossible to find them in good working order. As such a great deal of craftsmanship is required in keeping replacement parts faithful to the original designs. They look great when fully restored don't they?