new passion that would lead to restoration ( rebuilding and repainting ) of nineteen machines and refurbishing of another eight .
Chris begins rebuilding with selection . Once he has chosen a vintage machine , he totally disassembles it down to the last nut and bolt . Throughout this process , he makes copious notes and keeps his camera by his side to record each step of disassembly . This step , he explains with a grin , will help future recall when he is ready to begin reassembly .
Chris cleans the engine and delivers it to a mechanic who is an expert with vintage machines . While the engine is being rebuilt , Chris sands any welding repairs on the chassis . Sandblasting is necessary to remove rust and old paint . He will spend many more hours repairing and prepping the fibreglass hood and chassis , including priming , before he sends them to the paint shop .
Every part of the sled must be cleaned and assessed to determine if it can be used in the reassembly . Any part that is damaged or is missing will have to be replaced . Chris will check his NOS supply ( new old stock : unused new parts found on dealers ’ shelves ). If he does not have what he needs , he will do a search on the Internet or make some phone calls . This may lead to a road trip to Minnesota , Wisconsin and Michigan to swap-meets where he can find an abundance of reproduction parts and decals .
After Chris has prepped and painted all the small parts , the machine is ready to be reassembled , including hood and chassis , where he will place reproduced decals . Now the sled is ready to be shown to the world . He then loads it onto a trailer for a Show and Ride event
in places such as Edmonton , Myrnam , Elk Point , Camrose , or Elk Island Park .
Chris is a member of the Relic Riders , an Alberta-based group . When they meet , conversation includes both their current and vintage machines , and how to deal with the latest challenges . The group plays a major role at the October Alberta Snowmobile and Power Sport Show at the Expo Center in Edmonton . There , the Relic Riders display a variety of Ski-Doo , Polaris , Arctic Cat , and other similar vintage sleds . Chris displays his Ski-Doo vintage machines along with posters that give information about features , changes in development , background , and the purpose ( recreation or racing ) of the machines .
This is a great event at which to make connections . Prospective collectors receive encouragement and a wealth of information about restoring vintage machines . Chances are they will also be steered to a helpful website vintagesleds . com .
At present , Chris ’ s collection of snow machines totals forty-six : nineteen restored , eight refurbished , two in progress , and eighteen in original condition ( housed in three sheds and one Quonset ). Corresponding memorabilia accompanying each machine includes helmet , suit , operating manual , brochures , authentic decals , and snowmobile magazines as far back as 1966 .
Chris Swan will get to the original eighteen when all the parts he needs are gathered . The world of snowmobiling has become his passion .
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Winter 2013 11