INTRODUCING OUR BRAND NEW SNOW MACHINE EXHIBIT!
Volo Museum has curated an extremely rare snow machine and snowmobile exhibit that you will not see anywhere else. This collection includes modified Model Ts and rear-engine sleds, rocket-powered snow machines, and a snow plane.
1956 Tucker Sno-Cat
Our 1956 Tucker Sno-Cat holds a legendary place in exploration history as the rugged vehicle that helped conquer Antarctica during the 1955–58 Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Engineered for extreme conditions, this tracked machine became the first motorized vehicle to successfully cross the frozen continent. Its feat showcased the power of American innovation and marked a pivotal moment in polar exploration, proving that even the harshest environments could be navigated with the right technology. There are only a few places in the world you will see one of these in this conidition.
The Arctic Arrow Rocket Sled
The Arctic Arrow is a 30ft, 10,000 horsepower, rocket-powered sled designed and
piloted by Minnesotan Kurt Anderson, aiming to break the world ice speed
record. Built with a hydrogen peroxide-fueled rocket engine built by inventor Ky
Michaelson in the 1970s (also from Minnesota), the sled achieved a top speed of
241 mph on Bear Lake in Manawa, Wisconsin, in 2020. Although it crashed during
the attempt, Anderson walked away uninjured and remains committed to
surpassing the standing record of 247.93 mph set in 1981. The Arctic Arrow
project, featured in the Discovery Channel series "Homemade Astronauts,"
showcases the daring spirit of civilian rocketeers pushing the boundaries of speed
on ice.
1923 Ford Model T Snow Flyer
The 1923 Ford Model T Snow Flyer was an ingenious winter adaptation of America’s most iconic car, transforming the humble Tin Lizzie into a snow-conquering machine. Outfitted with skis in place of the front wheels and a set of rear-mounted tracks—typically using a bolt-on conversion kit by the Snowmobile Company of Ossipee, New Hampshire—the Snow Flyer became a popular choice for rural mail carriers, doctors, and adventurers who needed reliable transportation through deep snow. With its lightweight frame and simple mechanics, it glided over icy terrain like a sleigh with horsepower, essentially making it one of the earliest mass-used snowmobiles. Today, surviving examples are prized collectibles that showcase early 20th-century American innovation and the endless versatility of the Model T.
1971 Sno Coupe
The 1971 Sno Coupe was a dazzling anomaly in the world of snowmobiles—an enclosed, gold-painted snow cruiser that looked more like a futuristic dune buggy than a machine built for snow. Designed with side-by-side seating for two, a steering wheel instead of handlebars, a fully enclosed cab, and reverse gear, the Sno Coupe offered a car-like experience on snow-covered trails. It featured luxuries like a heater, electric start, covered headlights, roll protection, and a full windshield—unheard of in most sleds of its time. While only 200 were ever made, the Sno Coupe remains a cult favorite among collectors, remembered as a bold, space-age blend of snowmobile and snow car that turned heads wherever it glided.
1962 Trail-A-Sled Scorpion Snow Plane
The 1962 Trail-A-Sled Scorpion Snow Plane was a wild hybrid of aviation and snow travel, built by the same Minnesota company that would later become famous for its Scorpion snowmobiles. Unlike a traditional sled, this beast used a rear-mounted propeller and aircraft-style rudders to skim across frozen lakes and snow-packed fields at thrilling speeds. The snow plane’s body was lightweight yet rugged, with metal skis replacing wheels and a cockpit that looked like something out of a Cold War spy film. Originally designed to transport people and supplies in remote northern regions, it blurred the line between snowmobile and aircraft—offering a loud, fast, and unforgettable ride over winter’s harshest terrain. It was capable of speeds up to 100 MPH, but one small problem, there are no brakes! Some were two-seater models, this one is a four-seater. Today, it stands as a fascinating example of how necessity and innovation took flight—literally—in the snowbound backwoods of America.
No 1979 Super Sonic Rocket Snowmobile
In 1979, Ky Michaelson—aptly nicknamed "The Rocketman"—unveiled the Super Sonic Rocket Sled, a snowmobile that defied convention and physics alike. Powered by a 3,000-horsepower hydrogen peroxide rocket engine, this machine was capable of accelerating to 150 mph in just five seconds! Its fuel consists of 90% hydrogen peroxide at the cost of $150 per gallon. This machine burns one gallon of fuel every 15 seconds! The Super Sonic Rocket Sled exemplified Michaelson's flair for blending speed, spectacle, and innovation. In 2004, Ky and his team became the first civilians to launch a rocket into space! Michaelson has built rocket-powered vehicles that have set 72 land-speed records, including cars, motorcycles, and even a rocket-powered toilet called the "S.S. Flusher."
1930 Ford Model A Snow Bird Mail Carrier
The 1930 Ford Model A Snow Bird was a rugged winter workhorse specially outfitted for the U.S. Postal Service to ensure mail delivery through even the harshest snowstorms. This clever conversion replaced the front wheels with wide wooden skis and the rear wheels with heavy-duty tracks, creating a half-track vehicle capable of gliding over snowdrifts and frozen terrain. Powered by the reliable Model A engine, the Snow Bird allowed postal carriers in rural northern states to maintain critical communication links when traditional vehicles were immobilized by winter weather. Its enclosed cab offered protection from the elements, and its unique design made it one of the earliest examples of practical snow-going vehicles—an essential, if quirky, chapter in America's history of innovation in public service transportation.
Explore many more rare and vintage snowmobiles.
The Volo Museum's vintage snowmobile collection offers a captivating journey through the evolution of snow travel, featuring rare and historically significant machines. The 1960 Autoboggan W-9E Deluxe, renowned for its utility in delivering mail and transporting goods across snowy terrains, exemplifies early snowmobile engineering. The 1965 Arctic Cat 500 DE stands out as a limited-production model, showcasing the brand's commitment to performance and innovation. Polaris's 1962 K-70 Sno Traveler highlights the company's pioneering efforts in creating reliable snow machines for challenging conditions. The 1969 Arctic Cat Panther, with its sleek design, represents a significant leap in snowmobile aesthetics and functionality during its era. Lastly, the 1965 Bombardier Ski-Doo captures the essence of recreational snowmobiling's rise in popularity. Together, these machines not only reflect technological advancements but also tell the story of snowmobiling's impact on transportation and recreation. Visitors can explore these remarkable snowmobiles and many more at Volo Museum.
