Highlights

1959 – Focusing on fiberglass-based air-sled designs, Trail-A-Sled, Inc. (TAS) is founded in Crosby-Ironton, Minnesota by three local men. The air-sleds utilize war surplus aircraft engines, feature a highly stylized body design, and can reach speeds of 100 MPH.

1962 – A TAS air-sled is featured on NBC’s Today show, providing the upstart firm with much needed publicity. TAS produces a wide range of fiberglass products, including several components for Polaris

1964 – Recently named the “Scorpion” TAS launches the industries’ first-ever all-fiberglass snowmobile aboard a newly patented rubber track. The little machine is a big hit and TAS wins a large contract with Sears Roebuck.

1967 – Three unaided Scorpion snowmobiles complete an amazing endurance test from Crosby-Ironton, Minnesota to Anchorage, Alaska in only 28 days (would have been several less if the trio hadn't been held-up by British Colombian authorities who didn't know what to think of these newfangled "snowmobiles." A tragic fire slows the firm’s growth but amid enormous local support, a modern manufacturing facility rises from the ashes.

1968 – Leveraging their new manufacturing campus, TAS management notes that, "today we are the second largest manufacturer of snowmobiles in Minnesota and the fourth largest in the nation." Senator Hubert H. Humphrey declares central Minnesota to be the, “Snowmobile Capital of the World.”

1969 – Trail-A-Sled, Inc. is sold to Atlanta-based Fuqua Industries and renamed as Scorpion, Inc.

1971 – Scorpion, Inc. continues an aggressive expansion program and launches the first of its kind Stingerette, designed specifically for women.

1973 – Recent poor snow conditions and a global recession burst the snowmobile bubble. Dozens of recreational firms go out of business. Scorpion, Inc. is sold to an internal management team led by Harvey Paulson

1974 – Scorpion, Inc. purchases Brutanza Engineering and reaches a manufacturing agreement with Massey-Ferguson. Hollywood legend Chuck Connors produces several television commercials for the firm.

1977 – Scorpion, Inc. adds mopeds to its product line.

1978 – The firm is sold to rival Arctic Enterprises who plans to market the Scorpion brand as an affordable family alternative to Arctic Cat machines. Heavy Hauler trailers are manufactured at the Crosby-Ironton facility. The firm is renamed as Scorpion Industries, Inc.

1979 – The Scorpion Squadron race team wins a head-turning series of events.

1980 – Amid the continuing difficult economic climate, the Crosby-Ironton facility is put up for sale. Manufacturing is shifted to Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

1981 – Arctic Enterprises files for bankruptcy. Numerous Scorpion assets are sold at auction.