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Written by Administrator
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Tuesday, 07 November 2006 |
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Back in the mid- to late-sixties when snowmobiles first became popular, there were over 100 manufacturers of these products. Now, of course, there are only a select few that fabricate these snow vehicles. These vehicles were quite car-like and comfortable, many of them highly ingenious in their ability to tread snow. One such company was Leisure Vehicles Incorporated or LVI, which was founded by former racecar designer Bob Bracey. Amongst the resulting products were the two track Raider snowmobiles, which also featured a single cylinder JLO 24 hp two cycle engine. The Raiders also had a rear-mounted power plant.
While the design was not as elegant as the modern snowmobiles, Raider snowmobiles witnessed good sales at the time of their launch in 1970. They continue to have many die-hard fans and these enthusiasts maintain that the Raiders offer comfortable rides. The details are skillfully executed, and well thought out, such as the eagle insignia on the side that inspires pride in fans. Additionally, Raider snowmobiles are considered to use a highly effective technology (RPMS) to keep clear of deep snow or slush, particularly for its time. Typically fitted with a fan cooled engine, the original Raider snowmobiles are preferred by users for their ease of steering and creative design. The short-lived popularity of Raider snowmobiles are thought to imply that this vehicle was too advanced for its time by about 30 years.
In fact, the current popularity of vintage Raiders could indicate that people are only now realizing its true potential. The more popular Raider snowmobiles today are the 1974 models, available from vintage snowmobile dealers all around the country. By 1971, the shift to fan cooled engines had been made and most Raider snowmobiles you will find in the market now would be complete with this feature. A 1974 Raider in good condition, with manual and low mileage can go for around $1000.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 07 November 2006 )
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