Can you help John Samolis find a track for his "new" old Herters snowmobile?
A few months ago we ran a picture and story of a vintage Herters snowmobile in our Old Sled Sighting column. We had discovered an old Herters sitting outside a second-hand store in Eureka, Montana.
One of our SnoRiders readers, John Samolis, was so inspired by the article he jumped at the opportunity to buy an old Herters machine for himself.
John Samolis wrote us the following note, " I recently purchased a 1968 Herters 372cc single cylinder snowmobile in Minnesota at the Haydays event in northern Minnesota. The photo was taken by a professional photographer, Jake Forstall, a friend of mine. I purchased this sled on Friday of the event (Haydays) and it quickly become a popular conversation piece in our swap meet area," said John.
"The attention (the old Herters received) was overwhelming. We put some gas in the sled and surprisingly it ran. I have plans on restoring the sled and riding it in vintage gatherings but I could use some help locating a track." added John.
"I really loved the article regarding the similar sled on the Canadian/Montana border. Thanks." John Samolis concluded.
Here's some background on the Herters snowmobile: "In their heyday, Herter’s Outdoor Wholesale Catalog was legendary – selling everything from fishing tackle, archery, ammunition, rifles, shotguns, decoys, boats. bullets, binoculars, gunstocks and of course snowmobiles. The company was established in 1893 and was based in the small south central Minnesota town of Waseca.
Over the years Herter's produced models called the Sitka, Barrow, Yakulat, Seward, Kodiak, Yukon, Barrow, Nitro, Nome, Klondike, Snow Tiger, Snow Leopard, Snow Falcon, Snow Wolf and Snow Master.
George Leonard Herter is said to have used the first power snow sled in Alaska many years ago. George Herter supposedly tested every snow sled made in North America, Europe and Asia and concluded he could produce a better snowmobile. The resulting Herter's model Huskie Power Sleds were made for hard work and durability as well as for fun and play. 'Sold direct to the user – no ridiculously high manufacturer, distributor and dealer profits' or so wrote George Herter in his direct mail catalogue.
So we reach out to our SnoRiders readers—do you know where John Samolis might find a track for his Herters snowmobile? Let us know and we'll pass the information on to him. [email protected]
