The Carl Eliason Story

Auto mechanic, Steam engineer, blacksmith and general store owner. Carl enjoyed the slower pace of the Wisconsin northwoods winters when he could take time off to hunt, fish and trap with his friends. Struggling with a foot deformity, he could not use skis or snowshoes on his ventures into the wilderness. Carl experimented with the wind-driven sleds and automobiles with heavy tracks, but these machines were too large and heavy to operate efficiently in the remote deep snow areas of the woods. A lightweight personal machine was needed. A vehicle that would float on top of the snow, not sink to the bottom. Something small enough to follow the narrow snowshoe trails made by his friends.

There was only one problem, a machine like this did not exist, and it would have to be built. Then. In 1924, Carl decided to do it himself. He had the basic mechanical knowledge, and possibly more important, he owned a well-stocked general store.

Sayner, Wisconsin 1924-1939

The first Carl Eliason snowmobile was assembled over a two year period within his general store. The small 1924 snowmobile Incorporated a front mounted liquid cooled 2.5 horsepower outboard engine, endless track drive fashioned with bicycle sprockets and chains, wood slide rails and cleats, and conveyor belt webbing for flotation.

A section of a Ford Model T radiator was used for cooling the outboard engine. Four snow skis formed the major portion of the toboggan. Two shorter skis, mounted under the front of the toboggan, and controlled by a rope, steered the machine. A seat was installed over the length of the floating track drive. Operation of the machine required elevation of the track, warming up the engine, and then lowering the spinning track to the snow's surface. The machine worked, and at the suggestion of many of his friends and customers, Carl applied for a patent. The patent was issued in 1927.

Continuing development and refinement during the 15 years of production at Sayner lead to generally larger models of Motor Toboggans. As many as 40 Sayner snowmobiles were built and sold with no three exactly alike. Trial and error refinements were important to success, but the track and suspension concept was carried over on all units.

Both two and four cylinder motorcycle engines were used as the snowmobiles grew to three and four-up seating capacities. The two-cylinder version incorporated the Excelsior engine and sold for $350. The four-cylinder machine used the Henderson engine and sold for $550. This machine was named "Frigid Flyer" and was said to reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.

Marketing of the Eliason Motor Toboggan was aimed at hunters, fishermen and trappers.

Clintonville, Wisconsin 1940-1946

The Motor Toboggan was now becoming known around the world. A Finland proposal to purchase 200 machines convinced Carl to think about a different means of production. His small shop, and nine employees would not be able to fill an order of this size. The Four Wheel Drive Auto Company of Clintonville, Wisconsin had the necessary facilities, and after careful consideration, an agreement was made, Carl would assign his patents to FWD in exchange for a 2% royalty on all machines produced and sold by them. FWD would market the machines worldwide under the Eliason Motor Toboggan name. Carl would also remain as a prime consultant to FWD. This agreement was finalized in 1940.

With all patents updated in 1941. Four models were built by FWD from 1940 through 1946, the first being the model" A" which was virtually a copy of Carl's smaller Sayner design, but making use of some tubular steel in its construction. The 25 hp. Indian 45 Scout engine was selected due to its integral transmission. A pilot model "A" machine was completed in the fall of 1940, and 23 more were built shortly there after. The model "A" is the first known factory produced single-track snowmobile.

Both models "B" and "C" were used during World War II, but actual quantities produced are unknown. War design improvements generally consisted of covering the exposed engine, enclosing the track assembly, and in certain cases adding width to the toboggan for better flotation.

Carl once told a story about the supposed purchase of Motor Toboggans by the War Board. These machines were loaded onto a ship containing other winter battle gear, and this ship was sent to northern Europe. The idea was to keep the Germans guessing as to where the D-Day invasion would be from. German intelligence would report this back to headquarters, creating confusion. Supposedly this ship was torpedoed in the Atlantic, sinking to the bottom.

As World War II production tapered off, sales were again being made to utilities, rangers, conservation workers, doctors, mail carriers, trappers, and to other more conventional concerns.

The model "B" was introduced in 1942.The seat was modified by adding a second backrest. A combination fuel and oil tank with attached toolbox was installed. But the foot throttle and lever steering remained the same. The model "B" weighed 500 pounds.

The US Army became interested and placed an order for 150 all white machines for use in the defense of Alaska. To ensure meeting production deadlines, FWD make use of a second plant in Appleton, Wisconsin. A group of Russians also visited the FWD plant and test drove the Motor Toboggans up and down the Pigeon River. They borrowed a machine gun from the local library, mounted it up front, and while running the river, sprayed imaginary bullets at the river banks.

The model "C" machine featured two backrests with the toolbox behind the second seat. A tiller type steering arm was added, featuring the Indian motorcycle twist grip throttle. The fuel capacity was increased to 10 gallons, and the oil tank was separately mounted to the engine. The weight was now nearly 600 pounds.

The 1945 model "D" was the last model built in Clintonville. This machine was the most streamlined. Featuring tubular frame construction, and it sported a steering wheel. Excess weight was reduced wherever possible.

The model "D" was the last of the Motor Toboggans to use the Indian engine. Production of this machine was later transferred to the Kitchener, Ontario plant. Total production of all models built at Clintonville is estimated to be 300 units form 1940 to 1946.

Kitchener Ontario 1947-1963

With increasing FWD truck sales and declining Motor Toboggan interest in the US, FWD's Canadian subsidiary in Kitchener, Ontario entered the picture in 1947. Production of the model "D" was transferred to this plant. The late model "D" would have the letter "K" stamped at the end of the serial number. A number of the last model "D" units incorporated a new Indian Vertical Twin engine, supposedly lighter and more powerful. The move to Canada was aimed at making new engineering developments available, and also to get closer to the current customer market.

It was here that the revolutionary model "K" Kitchener series was developed. To this point, all Eliason Motor Toboggans had front engines. In 1951, the smaller, all new model "K-10" was introduced. This new design had a rear mounted 6 horsepower Salsbury engine complete with variable speed belt driven clutch. Engine weight was placed directly over the track, with the driver seated at the front. A steering wheel controlled the small slipper type skis. Early "K-10" machines carried a distinguished moon shaped toolbox at the rear. Options included a front hood and a windshield.

In 1953, the "K-12" Model appeared as an improved version of the "K-10". These were virtually identical except the Salsbury engine was replaced with the 8.5 horsepower Briggs & Stratton. The weight of the unit increased slightly. The significance of the "K-12" Motor Toboggan was twofold. It was the last model of Eliason produced, and was the Snowmobile that future manufactures would use as a guide in designing rear engine machines.

When Polaris began in 1955, the FWD Motor Toboggan patents were expiring. And production of the "K-12" started to fall. The Eliason/FWD effort continued, however, until 1963 when the company sold its parts and rights to the Carter Brothers of Waterloo, Ontario. Eliason Motor Toboggan production ceased after one year, and all parts were scrapped.

Summary

Eliason Motor Toboggan production represented 39 years of innovative pioneering effort. For years, Carl Eliason and Eliason/FWD snowmobiles were the lone lifeline of snowmobililng. Carl's personal records, though incomplete, show shipments to 20 states in the U.S. including Alaska. Machines were shipped to every Canadian Providence including the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Records also show shipments to Argentina, Iceland, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Modern snowmobiles are directly traceable to the original hand built 1924 Carl Eliason machine. The final "K" Series Eliason directly influenced Polaris, which in turn influenced Arctic Cat, Fox Trac, Tee Nee Trailer and all rear engine designs that came along in the early 1960's. The 1960 Ski-Doo further guided the nature of snowmobiling that allowed recreational opportunities to develop.

The pioneering efforts of Carl Eliason and the Four Wheel drive Auto Company wrote on of the earliest chapters in snowmobiling history. Their Motor Toboggans made the winter tracks we follow today.

The first model is on display at the Vilas County Museum in Sayner.