- December 2, 1964 – Crosby-Ironton Courier: Trail-A-Sled Expands Here
- October 20, 1965 – Crosby-Ironton Courier: Trail-A-Sled Off to Banner Year
- March 9, 1966 – Crosby-Ironton Courier: Arena Building Leased to Trail-A-Sled, Inc.
- September 14, 1966 – Crosby-Ironton Courier: Trail-A-Sled in Biggest Year
- November 3, 1967– Brainerd Dispatch: Recreational Hall Housing Public Library, Trail-A-Sled Plant Burns at Crosby
- November 8, 1967 – Crosby-Ironton Courier: Rec Building, Trail-A-Sled Plant Lost in Blaze
- January 1970 – Sno-Mobile Times: Scorpion Snowmobile Manufacturer Expanding
- August 1971 – SNOWsports Dealer News: Increasing Share of Market by Selling Reliability to the Seasoned Snowmobiler
- March 1978 – Minnesota Snowmobiler: Arctic to Acquire Scorpion
- February 21, 1999 – Brainerd Dispatch: Snowmobiles: From Garage Enterprise to Major Manufacturer
- October 9, 2002 – Aitkin Independent Age: 'Scorpion History is Part of the Culture ...'
- January 25, 2003 – Antique Snowmobile Rendezvous: Scorpion Story, An Oral History
- February 22, 2003 – International Snowmobile Hall of Fame: Dick Harrison Induction Ceremony
- January 28, 2004 – Star Tribune: Back on Track, Vintage Snowmobile Collection Restores a Legacy
- March, 2005 – Minnesota Snowmobiler: Scorpion Homecoming Draws Over 250 Sleds
- May/June, 2005 – ASCOA: Historic February
Transcripts | Chronology | Model Years | Trivia
Facts per contemporary media reports, company statements and first-hand accounts.
This section makes note of important company developments by calendar year (not model year).
1959 - In April, Trail-A-Sled, Inc (TAS) is founded in the central Minnesota community of Crosby-Ironton and begins full-time operations in a small garage in the city's Lakeview district. The firm consists of three founders and one employee. Work is immediately begun on a large air-sled and other fiberglass-based products.
1960 - The firm grows to three employees and continues work on a range of fiberglass-based products.
1961 - The TAS air-sled wins a major design award. TAS pontoon boats are met with rave reviews and earn a reputation for stability, quality and innovation. Inspired in part by the Bombardier Ski Doo, TAS begins to experiment with tracked snow machines. The air-sled is featured at Dayton's Southdale location in Edina, Minn. and retails for $2,570.
1962 - On Friday, February 9th the Crosby-manufactured Trail-A-Sled made an appearance on the national TV show, "Today." The Trail-A-Sled was featured in a story on winter fishing on Mille Lacs Lake.
1963 - Concentrating entirely on the production of Scorpion snowmobiles, the firm begins experimenting with a vulcanization process in an attempt to eliminate the cumbersome cleated track system.
1964 - The firm earns it's first major order (for 100 rubber-tracked Scorpions). Watercraft production is officially suspended. Dick Harrison's continuous rubber track is granted patent protection by the United States government. The firm begins making machines for Sno-Ro (Laurentide) in Montreal, Canada. The company's payroll rises to 20 persons.
1965 - As the firm's rubber-tracked machines take hold, the company expands to 53 employees and produces up to 20 units per day. The company is awarded a major contract with Sears Roebuck and hits an annual payroll of $200,000.
1966 - The firm continues to grow and leases the city-owned Arena facility as well as several other area buildings. Employment tops-out at 125 persons and production peaks at 50 units per day.
1967 - The firm's Rubber Drives, Inc. division was in full force, able to produce six tracks per hour, as well as numerous additional rubber-based parts - many of which are sold to other manufacturers. The firm also operates separate fiberglass fabrication, welding and assembly facilities. A TAS plant manager Cliff Kittelson sets a world distance jumping record. David "Pappy" Burns begins his historic Alaskan Epic. In February, United States Vice President Hubert H Humphrey declares Minnesota's Central Lakes to be the "Official Snowmobile Capital of the World." Production peaks at 85 units per day with 153 employees and a $1 million payroll. Inland Steel Company, among the area's largest employers, ceases underground mining operations in June, idling much of the Cuyuna Range workforce. A devastating fire in November cripples Trail-A-Sled, Inc. and the community at large. Company administrative records are completely destroyed by the blaze. In a miraculous turn-around, the firm slowly rebuilds for the future and breaks ground for a new facility. The Trail-A-Sail marketing campaign is announced.
1968 - In January the first ever Serpent Lake Snowmobile Derby is conducted with local businessman Bruce Pirner serving as general manager. Glen Gutzman is named SBA Small Businessman of the Year. Annual payroll nears $2 million with 300 employees.
In June the firm begins to transition into it's new 70,000 sq ft processing facility (consisting principally of a 38,500 sq ft assembly plant, 15,000 sq ft welding plant, 15,000 sq ft building housing sister-company Rubber Drives, Inc., 3,000 sq ft administration building and a 1,500 sq ft research facility). One highlight of the firm's new capabilities is a $50,000 natural gas paint drying process. Eight-month production capacity is now capable of 50,000 snowmobiles (but only 20,000 are planned for 1969). According to general manager Earl Hamilton, "today we are the second largest manufacturer of snowmobiles in Minnesota and the fourth largest in the nation."
1969 - In January the second annual Serpent Lake Snowmobile Derby is held before a capacity crowd. Led by co-chairmen Bruce Pirner and David Zontelli, the event drew 60 entries (up from 44 last year). In February, Trail-A-Sled, Inc. is sold to Fuqua Industries who later changes it's name to Scorpion, Inc. The company claims to be the second largest Minnesota-based manufacturer of snowmobiles. Employment hits 400 persons with a payroll of $2.5 million. Plans are announced for expansion to 140,000 sq ft of production space. In November, the International and Distributor racing teams (soon to be known as Corzine's Kamikazes) opened the season with a heroic indoor race at the Duluth Arena.
In December, Argosy Magazine publishes 'Bighorn Sheep by Snowmobile,' a fascinating study of Scorpion's roll in preserving this endangered subspecies.
1970 - Fuqua completes expansion at 150,000 sq ft. The firm's founders resign in October. Benefiting from corporate ownership, Scorpion, Inc. produced 22,000 machines and continued to expand their manufacturing facility with employment exceeding 500 persons. Warren E. Daoust (previously VP of Marketing) is named President & COO effective December 18th.
On October 28, 1970 the Crosby-Ironton Courier noted, "Effective Monday, October 5, 1970, President Glen Gutzman and Vice-President Richard Harrison elected to retire from active management of Scorpion, Inc. The two pioneers of the snowmobile industry will, however, continue their association in a consulting capacity and be available to Scorpion management. Fuqua Industries, Inc. announce the appointment of William R. (Bill) Smith as President and Chief Executive Officer of Scorpion, Inc." (See the newspaper's October 26, 2005 "Remember When" segment.)
1971 - The innovative Stingerette (a first of it's kind machine catered toward women) is unveiled as production nears 200 units per day. The industry is hit by the first in a string of unusually mild winters. Daoust pushes hard as 20,000 units are produced (for the 1972 build) and employment peaks at over 500 (this was to be the firm's, and in many ways the industry's, biggest year). The internal battle cry is "number 2 by 72."
As noted in the Crosby-Ironton Courier on February 3, 1971, "Darrel Northburg finished in 19th place in the Winnipeg to St. Paul International 500 snowmobile race that kicked-off the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Considering that 300 racers started out at Winnipeg and that only 69 finished the grueling 587-mile run, finishing in 19th place is a distinct honor. Northburg represented the Scorpion firm."
In November, an expansion program calling for a 140' x 144' one quarter million dollar addition to the main assembly plant at Scorpion, Inc. was started. According to Scorpion officials the structure will contain two stories and will be utilized for storage and export parts.
1972 - Snow conditions remain unusually mild and like much of the industry, the firm is caught with large amounts of unsold inventory.
1973 - The Arab-Israeli War, and it's resultant oil embargo triggered a world-wide economic recession, crippling many recreational industries, including snowmobiling. In an attempt to cut their losses, Fuqua sells the firm back to an internal management group (led by Harvey Paulson) after losing millions of dollars. Snow conditions are once again unusually mild, negatively impacting sales.
1974 – Fran Scott, Scorpion's Director of Personnel announces employment at 415 people with about one half working on a short-season basis.
In January Scorpion purchased Brutanza Engineering of Brooten Minnesota and it's coveted liquid cooled engine, soon installing Brut's legendary machine-head Gerry Reese as Scorpion's new Director of Engineering. Gerry formerly served as President of Brutanza and brings a long career in the snowmobile industry to the Cuyuna Range. Gerry began his career with Polaris Industries, set several speed records and won the Winnipeg 500 Mile Race.
January also saw Hollywood's
legendary Rifleman Chuck Connors visit the Cuyuna Range to film
promotional spots for next year's models.
In August, the Rockwell Recreational Engine purchase is announced (soon to be relocated from Germany to Crosby and renamed the Cuyuna).
In October, Scorpion announces plans to build snowmobiles for Massey-Ferguson beginning with model year 1976. Already running the largest agricultural equipment business in the world, this agreement allows Massey-Ferguson to focus on other lines of business while maintaining a powerful presence in snowmobiling - particularly in Canada where the firm is based (and where Scorpion's sales are small, accounting for only 5-10% of Canadian sales). The agreement culminated two months of negotiation and a legendary performance by Scorpion engineers who built a working prototype which sealed the deal in only five days. Scorpion executives hoped that the agreement would expand the firm's production season by eight to ten weeks per year. Massey snowmobiles are slated to utilize the new Rockwell Recreational Engine (soon to be renamed the Cuyuna).
1975 – Roger Ebert's strong showing on a family-friendly stock 340 Whip in the 500 mile St. Paul to Winnipeg endurance race was featured prominently in company marketing materials.
1977 – The company announces employment of 450 persons and a production capacity of 200 snowmobiles per day. From a high of 133 in 1971, the number of snowmobile brands has been reduced to 11 (spread across 6 manufacturers).
As indicated in the
Brainerd
Dispatch, "The annual Scorpion March of Dimes Celebrity Snowmobile
Marathon was held Feb. 4-5 living up to its advance billing, attracting
more than 1,500 snowmobilers, celebrities, and volunteers and generating
pledges of more than $25,000."
1978
– Scorpion’s snowmobile line is supplemented by three models of Mopeds
(SC 2X, SC 2, SC1). Scorpion is
purchased by Arctic Enterprises in March, reducing the industry to only
six manufacturers. In July, Arctic announces
plans to move their Heavy Hauler trailer business to Crosby-Ironton and
begins a $500,000 25,000 sq ft expansion to accommodate their goal of 20,000
trailers per year.
The firm is officially renamed as Scorpion Industries, Inc.
1979 – In February, employment runs at 360 and Heavy Hauler Trailers begin rolling-off the assembly line. Both the community and company anticipate more products, employment and further investment in the months to come. Also in February, citing licensing problems and a declining market, phase-out of moped manufacture is announced. In July, Arctic Cat announces record sales numbers for the combined companies. Roger Worth (former attorney for Arctic Enterprises) is appointed President. In December, Scorpion Squadron racer Brad Hulings wins the Hetteen Cup in Alexandria, Minnesota. 14,000 units are built, the final snowmobiles manufactured on the Cuyuna Range.
1980 – In March, sighting a number of economic and industry woes (namely sluggish economic conditions, historically high interest rates and rising fuel prices), Arctic Cat embarks upon a consolidation strategy and the Crosby-Ironton manufacturing facility is put up for sale. As manufacturing transitions to Thief River Falls, Arctic adds only one new Scorpion model - the Sidewinder for 1981.
1981 – In February, under extreme pressure from creditors, Arctic Cat files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Large amount of parts and equipment are sold at auction for bargain basement prices. Although not officially announced at the time, the bankruptcy filing led directly to the ultimate demise of Scorpion. The brand never survived the reorganization process. Scorpion was finished, if only for a time ...
Shortly thereafter, with the purchase of engine manufacturing assets, Cuyuna Development Co. (led by president Roger Worth) announced their intention to manufacture small engines in a portion of the former Scorpion plant in Crosby.
1982 – In May, many of Arctic's assets are sold to Certified Parts Corporation of Janesville, Wisconsin including licensing rights to Scorpion snowmobiles.
This section makes note of important product features by model year (not calendar year). Such machines were generally constructed in the summer and fall of the prior year.
1960 – TAS began production of their flagship stylized 4-passenger, fiberglass-based air-sled, featuring louvered ventilation slots and a 125 HP Lycoming power plant. 15 such machines are eventually manufactured.
1963 – TAS continued production of their air-sled line with a second model featuring a steel prop guard, removable sliding canopy, interior gas heater, and the firm's standard power plant - the 125-HP Lycoming. TAS manufactured 35 such machines, 25 of which were sold to Polaris Industries of Roseau, Minnesota (models 1250 and 1250e).
Several tracked snowmobiles were also created. These machines featured squared cowlings, plywood/fiberglass construction, a cleated track and 2x4 lumber in the suspension. Multiple engine configurations were utilized, including a 8.5 HP Kohler and 6 HP Tecumseh. One such machine remains on display at the Cuyuna Range Historical Museum, in the Soo Line Depot, Crosby, Minnesota.
1964 – Having abandoned air-sled production, TAS set-up their first production run of tracked snow machines. 38 such machines were created and featured a more rounded fiberglass cowling (affectionately named a “bubble-nose”) and a fiberglass tunnel making for a completely all fiberglass body. A steel cleated track was also featured. These TAS machines carried the Scorpion brand name for the first time and were turquoise in color. A 4-cycle 8.5 HP Kohler was the featured power plant while Salisbury clutches transferred the power.
1965 – The innovative rubber track was put to good use as TAS dramatically expanded production to include 575 machines. These nimble machines continued to feature the same all-fiberglass construction and design as the 1964 model. Eight varying model types were available. The machine was offered in turquoise and pale red. 2-cycle 12 HP Hirth 300 cc and 2-cycle 10 HP JLO 247 cc supplied the power. One such machine remains on display at the Deerwood True Value hardware store. Salisbury clutches were once again used.
1966 – The often troublesome fiberglass chassis was replaced by a steel tunnel as TAS expanded production to 2,150 units. The same Hirth and JLO engines were offered in 10 and 13 HP models. An in-house steel-weighted clutch (designed by Dick Harrison) was unveiled. Buckskin tan was the most popular color but turquoise continued to be available (a line of turquoise machines was produced for Brainerd Marine).
1967 – Production was expanded to 5,000 units and included a wider range of engines and horsepower. A wide-track (from 15” to 18”) was also available. The wide-track was also 10” longer than the standard. Consolidating the firm's experiments with differing colors, the Scorpion was offered in black only (although a line of orange machines was produced for Brainerd Marine). The firm’s clutch assembly received wide praise (Dick's steel-weighted assembly) and an optional wheel kit was available. The firm’s marketing efforts were expanded and the first full-color brochures became available.
1968 – A stylish “tear-drop” hood design was unveiled, featuring sassy red on black rally stripes that became a TAS/Scorpion staple for years to come. The firm switched to the Dick Harrison designed bar-roller clutch. Struggling to overcome a tragic fire in November of 1967, TAS produced 6,000 units. Several Mark designations were available.
This year's marketing slogan: "Scorpion - The Great Snowmobile."
1969 – Leveraging their new manufacturing facility, TAS produced 16,000 tear-drop units in an industry-leading range of engine and track configurations. A popular trunk option became standard. An extensive warranty was offered as well as an improved electrical system, disc brakes, and an all new roller-spline clutch (once again by Dick Harrison).
This year's marketing slogan: "Scorpion - Above All."
1970 – A wide range of engines was again offered, including configurations as large as 800 cc. White edges were added to the red rally stripes for a more dramatic look. The Scorpion name is now embossed on the seat back.
The stylish Stinger as produced, featuring a first of it's kind red-flake tear-drop hood. The Stinger was available with a rubber track (made in-house via Rubber Drives, Inc.) or a polyurethane track (via Gates) for lighter weight and improved durability. The firm continued with the roller-spline clutch.
This year's marketing slogan: "The proven snowmobile that never lets you down."
1971 – The teardrop began a phase-out as Scorpion, Inc. moved to a radical wedge redesign. Offered in black and red-flake, the wedge was a radical departure from the curved contours that had been popular for several years. The wedge was offered as a Mark II Stinger 15" track and a Mark III Stinger 18" wide-track (both featured Gates polyurethane).
The popular tear-drop was available for the last time, featuring the firm's legendary 15" rubber track (now 7 years in production). The tear-drop was available as a Mark I and a Mark II as were marketed as lower-end introductory snowmobiles. Both sleds featured white accenting borders along firm's trademark red rally stripes. A circular decal sticker replaced the traditional embossed Scorpion script logo.
An improved roller-spline clutch was unveiled.
1972 – A widening wedge to support a broader ski stance (26") was offered as Scorpion, Inc. enhanced the stability it’s machines. Expanding the scope of their "Stinger" brand, 8 major models were available, including the Super Stinger II 440, Super Stinger III 440, Stinger I 293, Stinger II 340, Stinger II 400, Stinger III 400, Stingeroo 277 and Stingerette 290. The innovative Stingerette (a first of it’s kind machine targeted specifically for women) featured a lavender hood/seat combination (Midnight Sun Magenta) and a 290 CCW (25 HP). Para-Rail suspensions and Power-Thrust clutches were offered for the first time and supplemented the firm's longstanding spring & bogey suspension. Apart from the Stingerette, the 72' line-up featured red-flecked hoods with accenting black tunnels. The tear-drop hood design was officially retired. The firm's rubber track is offered for the last time (8 years in production) on the Stinger I and Stingeroo.
1973 – Scorpion, Inc continued with the same general design as 72. A 15" polyurethane track is standard on all models. The all-red line-up from 72' is abandoned as the firm offered Stingers in a wide range of colors including, of all things - yellow! The ten model line-up included the Super Stinger 440 (in a variety of colors), Super Stinger 400 (in red fleck), Super Stinger TK, Super Stinger RV, Super Stingerette, Stingerette, Stinger 340 & 290 (both in deep red fleck) and the Stinger ET (trimmed-down 290 with a racing seat). Shock absorbers became standard (except for Stinger ET).
This would be Scorpion, Inc.’s final production year as a Fuqua Industries division.
This year's marketing slogans: "Total Dream Machines" and "Look out, Cat!, Look out, Ski-Doo! Scorpion Stinger is comin' thru." As a follow-up to last year's performance testing, a prototype 73 Stinger with a 440 Rockwell was pitted against a 72 Ski-Doo 440 and a 72 Arctic Cat Cheetah 440 in a grueling analysis captured by Scorpion executives for marketing purposes (filmed in early 1972). Once again, the Stinger was judged superior in every category.
For model year 1973 Scorpion Stinger also released a comedic safety film titled the "Seven Deadly Sins." In this eleven minute piece, Scorpion's blundering driver violated nearly every rule in the book, including: 1) driving while drunk, 2) colliding with multiple objects, 3) driving on thin ice, 4) traveling on railroad tracks, 5) over-driving of headlights, 6) traveling alone, and 7) wearing loose clothing.
1974 – Once again under local ownership, Scorpion modified the cowling to provide a more “swept” look. These machines were offered in a wide range of colors (10 in all). Between 18,000 and 20,000 units were built. Hollywood star Chuck Connors joined the team for the first time as the firm's marketing took on a "western" flare.
A seven minute promotional film titled "Scorpion Super Stinger '74 - What Makes a Snowmobile Great?" was unveiled. The piece highlighted Scorpion's response to four major consumer concerns (as revealed in an industry survey), including, 1) noise (where Scorpion's new muffler design was touted, 2) performance (where nineteen other machines were compared to the Scorpion and found lacking - the newly refined Power-Thrust clutch and Rockwell engine were given credit for this discrepancy), 3) ride (the now-standard Para-A-Rail was touted), and 4) reliability.
1975 – Chuck Connors remained on-board as the innovative Whip brand was unveiled, featuring a forward-mounted engine, all-aluminum chassis, and wider 16" track. The machine's deep blue hood was a bold move away from the firm's trademark red and black. High-performance, race-tested Brut machines were integrated for the first time, featuring a liquid-cooled engine, slide-rail suspension, and wider ski stance. Further expanding the Whip brand name, the Lil' Whip was unveiled as the firm's affordable compact model. The Super Stinger remained on-board in a rainbow of colors.
Approximately 16,000 machines are produced and added to the existing 3,000 units of dealer carry-over.
1976 - The Whip remained but with a twin cylinder "Cuyuna" (formerly Rockwell JLO) power plant. The firm clearly staked it's future on this new, in-house aluminum engine. The mid-priced, full-sized Range Whip was unveiled and the Lil' Whip remained.
Massey-Ferguson snowmobiles were produced for the first time, including the Whip look-alike 340/440 Whirlwind (featuring dual headlights), the Range Whip look-alike (off-set headlight) 300 Chinook, and the Brut look-alike 340/440 Cyclone. Apart from color treatment and minor hood modifications, the Massey and Scorpion snowmobile lines were nearly identical.
This year's marketing slogan: "nothin' really comes close."
1977 - The Bull Whip cross country racer is introduced, with 500 manufactured in total. The Range Whip Sting was also unveiled. Massey-Ferguson sleds are produced for the last time.
1978 – Scorpion, Inc. unveiled the high performance Whip TK. Apart from cosmetic adjustments, the standard Whip remained, along with the Range Whip and Lil' Whip.
Attempting to capture the public's growing concerns regarding fuel efficiency and in a bid to diversify the firm's manufacturing base, Scorpion announces a small line of Mopeds. The SC 1 base model was supplemented by the SC 2 which added a chrome trim package. The SC 2X deluxe model featured a longer wheelbase and seat. Each sported the air-cooled 49.6 cc Cuyuna engine and automatic transmissions.
1979 – Scorpion Industries, Inc. (an Arctic Company) releases the Whip TK & TKX and drops the Range Whip. The Whip TK & TKX featured a bold new black-red look, wedge stylings, low center of gravity and a wider stance (just over 33"). The Whip was offered in a 340 and 400 and the model's reputation for reliability was featured prominently in company advertising. The blaze red Sting was available as a 400 or 440 fan-cooled and it's performance was highly touted. The Lil' Whip as marketed as an affordable sport machine. As product development shifted to Artic Cat, these were to be among the last home-grown designs produced by the firm. Quad Trac grooming machines roll off the assembly line for the first time.
1980 – Spread across three different models, 14,000 machines are produced in the Crosby-Ironton facility, including: the 440 Whip (marketed as an affordable family sled); the 440 Sting (marketed as an easy handling sports machine); and the 340 or 440 TK (marketed as a trail sled). The Lil' Whip is dropped from the line.
1981 – Now manufactured in Arctic Cat's Thief River Falls factory, Scorpion finished it's final production run with the new and strong-selling Sidewinder, a re-branded Cat El Tigre with a high-performance 440cc liquid-cooled engine. The TK/TK340, Sting and Whip were produced for the last time.
AIR-SLED FACTS
- Working alone, In the late 1950s Glen marketed his aluminum-based air-sleds at Midwestern sports shows.
- In an attempt to diversify their product, Trail-A-Sled, Inc. spent considerable effort to convert their air-sleds for summer-time water use through the integration of floatable pontoons. Tested on the Mississippi River, the "water-sled" proved clumsy and impractical. It was quickly shelved.
- TAS can be traced back to the early 1950s when Donald Bergstrom of Eagle Bend, Minn. was actively engaged in a business to build aluminum-based airsleds. Glen Gutzman would join Don on a part-time basis and would later move the manufacture of such machines to Crosby-Ironton, Minn.
- The firm's 125 HP Lycoming workhorse was not, as is commonly believed, an aircraft engine. It was a land unit lacking FAA certification and was specially modified by TAS.
- One of Dick Harrison's first creations was an air-boat configured with a 50 HP Lycoming engine. Dick also took the same engine and placed it on a Culver fuselage to create his very first air-sled.
- Dick Harrison's second aluminum air-sled was based upon a Republic Sea Bee fuselage that he purchased from Hink's Flying Service in Monticello, Minnesota. Dick halved the unit, using the lower portion for a make-shift boat and the upper portion for the air-sled. The air-sled was configured with a 145 HP 6 cylinder Franklin.
- TAS experimented with a number of aircraft engines for their air-sleds, including: 65 & 85 HP 4-cyclinder Continentals, and 4-cyclinder 2-cycle drones.
- In 1962 Dick and Stub Harrison sold and personally delivered an air-sled to well-known West Yellowstone, Montana rancher Howard Kelsey. The sled performed utility duties around the Nine Quarter Circle Ranch and was featured in West Yellowstone trade publications where Howard also owned the Stage Coach Inn. Howard's son Kim enjoyed a few snow-skiing rides behind the air-sled before Howard put a stop to the dangerous practice.
- A large mural depicting the TAS air-sled was commissioned as part of Montana's territorial centennial celebration in 1964. The mural was also featured in a traveling display which toured the entirely of the United States later that same year. The mural remains on display at the Nine Quarter Circle Ranch in Montana's beautiful Gallatin Valley.
- The TAS air-sled was generally sold for commercial purposes to ranchers, resort owners, and the forestry service. For search and rescue, the air-sled could be configured to fit a stretcher in the rear seat compartment.
- Trail-A-Sled’s name was inspired by the fact that their early air-sleds were designed to be easily towed behind a family sedan by lowering the rear wheels and replacing the front ski with a tow hitch coupling.
- TAS’ second and final air-sled line was made primarily for Polaris and featured a retractable canopy. 35 such machines were manufactured through 1963, 25 of which were contracted by Polaris.
- The TAS air-sled could reach speeds in excess of 100 mph and excluded one important feature – brakes!
TRAIL-A-SLED ERA
- For many years (beginning in February 1966) the Central Lakes Area, together with the Brained Jaycees, prided itself as the Snowmobile Capital of the World (a moniker now assigned equally to Roseau, Minnesota, Eagle River, Wisconsin, and West Yellowstone, Montana - although Eagle River holds the actual trademark). The area became a hotbed of racing competitions and celebrity events. The newly opened Donnybrooke racing facility (now known as Brainerd International Raceway) played host to some of the largest races on the circuit.
- TAS manufactured products for a wide range of other firms, including: Boatel, Brainerd Marine, Foxx, Herter's, Laurentide, Polaris Industries, Sears Roebuck, Silverline, and Taft Marine.
- Herter's (a former mail-order catalogue specializing in products for the outdoorsman and handyman) provided TAS with their very first fiberglass kit in 1959. The kit was critical as TAS considered a transition from aluminum-based air-sleds to fiberglass. TAS went on to become expert fiberglass fabricators in their own right.
- The Polaris Comet prompted TAS founders to retire their air-sled and gear-up for full-time production of a tracked snow machine. It was while supplying parts for the Comet that TAS realized the days of the bulky, expensive, and arguably dangerous air-sled were drawing to a close.
- The name Scorpion was inspired by the M56 tracked cannon used by Glen Gutzman while training for the National Guard at Camp Ripley, MN. The cannon’s nickname was the Scorpion.
- While running their wild rice processing facility, Dick and Stub became acquainted with the politically powerful entrepreneur, Jeno Paulucci who’s brother-in-law Leo Trepanier ran Northland Foods – a key wild rice buyer. Jeno would later help a struggling TAS acquire the SBA financing it desperately needed to expand.
- Glen Gutzman’s Small Businessman of the Year nomination was submitted by R.O. Lee, President of First National Bank, Crosby, MN.
- Of the TAS founders, only Glen Gutzman earned a high school diploma. Stub Harrison received only a grade school education while Dick Harrison never completed the tenth grade.
- The TAS continuous rubber track was the first of it’s kind manufactured in the United States and was the single most important innovation in the history of the firm.
- In January of 1967 TAS plant manager Cliff Kittelson set a world distance-jump record in Detroit Lakes, Minn. of 66' 4" on a four-cylinder, drone-powered Scorpion.
- Eastman Machine & Tool of Pillager, MN provided molds for a wide range of TAS's rubber products.
- In 1963 TAS created two tracked prototypes, the smaller of the two was dubbed the Scorpion while the larger unit was named the Sidewinder. Although the Sidewinder was retired by TAS before ever getting off the ground, Arctic Cat did resurrect the brand nearly two decades later as the last of the Scorpions were being manufactured.
- In the early days of snowmobile manufacture, TAS experimented with a wide range of engines, including: 2-cycle, single cylinder chainsaw engines; the Tecumseh; Kohler; Germany's 2-cycle Hirth; the JLO; venerable Sachs; and Canadian Curtis-Wright (made in Japan by Kyoritsu Noki Co.). The Japanese engine we easily the founder's favorite due to favorable foreign exchange, and the firm's manufacturing flexibility.
- At the completion of the Alaskan Epic of 1967, each participant was given the opportunity to the keep the machine that had served them so well or return it to the factory for a brand new unit. Pappy Burns elected to keep his 18” wide-track and it remained in Alaska. Mike O’Connor and Dwayne Parks decided to return theirs to Crosby-Ironton where the now legendary snowmobiles were proudly displayed in the Arena lobby.
- The wife of TAS founder Dick Harrison was featured prominently in the 1967 marketing campaign. Photos for this campaign were shot at Crosby, Minnesota’s Memorial Park.
- For model year 1966, TAS manufactured several hundred machines for Sears Roebuck to be marketing under the Snow Cruiser brand.
- Photos for the 1968 marketing campaign were shot in the Bridger Bowl area of Montana.
- Following the devastating plant fire of 1967, Edgar Hetteen of rival Artic Cat provided TAS with a large quantity of Tillotson carburetors.
- In 1968 Scorpion snowmobiles were featured in two films, Willock and Edge of Eternity, both shot in Alaska by Galaxy Productions, Inc. of Des Moines, Iowa.
- Photos for the 69 marketing campaign were shot in the Gallatin Valley south of Bozeman, Montana (now known as Big Sky Resort) and featured the TAS Trail-A-Sail team.
- The Scorpion Polka was produced by Snowmobile Sales, Inc. (Sid & Marie Trulen) of Marshfield, Wisconsin and released in November of 1970. This full-length album featured the Howie Sturtz orchestra.
FUQUA YEARS
- The innovative Spyder was a forerunner to today’s ATV and was an early attempt at diversification. Fuqua decided to shelve the product after producing only 25 units.
- The wedge design introduced for model year 1971 was the brainchild of a Chicago-based design firm who never fulfilled their obligation to provide a second prototype. Although unhappy with the result, time constraints forced the founders to go ahead with the new (and internally unpopular) design.
PAULSON ERA
- Brainchild of Scorpion engineers Gerald Irvine and Gerry Reese, the legendary 440X Odd Job of 1974 got it's name both for it's unusual appearance and because it was put together by factory engineers working in their spare time. Although race results were modest, the Odd Job renewed interest in racing among Scorpion executives and foretold the SnoPro success that would come in later years.
- The pivotal Massey-Ferguson prototype was produced in only five days by Scorpion employees Ken Dekat, Pete Krmpotich, Ron Muellner and John Lundberg.
- At it’s apex, the Crosby-Ironton facility reached 150,000 sq ft of manufacturing space with a total of 182,000 sq ft available.
ARCTIC DAYS
- Following its purchase by Arctic Cat, the legendary Edgar Hetteen, patriarch of modern snowmobiling, managed the Crosby-Ironton plant for several months.
