Vintage snowmobile owners put on a show (5 Photos)

THUNDER BAY — Snowmobile technology has advanced by leaps and bounds since Joseph Armand Bombardier launched the Ski-Doo in 1959.

But Lappe resident Christian Ward has a fascination with the machines that were made decades ago, and is on a mission to preserve them.

"I started collecting antique sleds a few years ago. Then I wanted to see how many people shared the same interest. As it turned out, there are quite a few other people interested in saving some of these old machines," Ward says.

On the weekend, he and other members of the recently-formed Lappe Vintage Snowmobile Group held a show in the parking lot of Dawson General Store on Dawson Road.

Thirty-five machines from an assortment of manufacturers were on display.

The oldest was a 56-year-old Arctic Cat.

Ward has 50 snowmobiles of his own – in various states of repair – that he stores in barns on his rural property.

The oldest in his collection is a 1960 Autoboggan Trailmaker.

He says snowmobiles are much cheaper than cars to acquire, are relatively easy to fix, and are "good things to learn on."

Ward hates to see any of the older units left to rust in the bush.

"There's a lot of different stories for each machine...They're a pretty big part of Canadian history with Bombardier coming out with the first front-engine snowmobile. He pretty much started it all."

The vintage snowmobile group is looking to organize another display before spring.

Ward said "If anyone knows of any old machines just sitting and rotting way, and they come to our show.  Maybe they'll decide to try to fix it up, and it can be enjoyed again."

Photos of the recent exhibition are posted on the Thunder Bay Memories Facebook page.