The early models

Wilson Belbin seems to have an affinity for the 1960s.

The English Point resident has amassed an antique snowmobile collection which consists of three models from that decade.

The oldest in the set is a 1961 Polaris Autoboggan, a fixer-upper he obtained from Mary's Harbour recently. Next in line are his 1968 Bombardier B-12 and 1969 Bombardier (10 horsepower). There are also two gems from the 1980s, a 1982 Sno-Runner and a 1986 Elan (12 horsepower).

"The first interest I had as a young fellow, way back in the 60s, when I used to see these machines, I always had a liking for them," Mr. Belbin said. "I guess an inclination to be around them, and I liked working at them mechanically. I'm a backyard mechanic, so I fixed them up and repaired them and ordered parts," he said.

Earlier this month, for Education Week, Mr. Belbin treated students from Mountain Feild Academy to a ride in the B-12, which comfortably seats 12 people and looks more like a tank than a snowmobile.

He made four trips from the school, across the brook, with Kindergarten to Grade 2, Grades 3-4, Grades 5-6, and the staff.

"Oh the kids loved it," he said. "(The) children were really excited with having a ride in Mr. Belbin's snowmobile."

The B-12, which Mr. Belbin's daughter calls "the yellow beast," originally came from Labrador City, where it was used to check the railway line in the early 1970s.

Mr. Belbin caught up with the machine in Goose Bay, bought it and brought it to Nain, where he worked as a teacher, before bringing it to English Point.

Since then, he's made some modifications.

He's updated the Chrysler flat six-cylinder engine to a V-8, with a 305 automatic transmission and added a second gas tank.

To ride on the trails, he had to get a special sticker and use a flashing amber light, similar to a groomer, to warn other snowmobiles.

The B-12 also used to be used in Quebec townships for delivering mail and as a bus during the winter, Mr. Belbin said.

"They're very difficult to obtain, and I guess they're becoming a collector item," he said.

"I got the original shop manual and parts catalogue for the machine (from Valcourt, Quebec); any part I want I can basically get or they can make it up for me."

He has binders full of manuals for each of his snowmobiles.

But, because the machines are out of production, parts are still difficult to find - and pricey.

In fact, Mr. Belbin has the original flyer for the Sno-Runner, which can "reach speeds up to 30 miles per hour or more," he reads.

He describes the Sno-Runner, otherwise known as the Sno-Rabbit, as a motorcycle with a ski and a track, four-inches wide with rubber cleats.

He and his wife used the Sno-Runner to hunt partridge outside Nain and for recreation.

Since the quirky machine has been discontinued, like the B-12, obtaining the proper parts to keep it restored can be difficult, though he's found a place in Michigan.

"Some of the parts now have to be re-tooled," he said. "They're quite expensive. For example, the little track that goes with it is $100, just about. They're fairly rare, they're difficult to find, and that's why the parts are expensive. They haven't been made since the mid-80s."

With any collection, especially of antiques, some people might think of the potential for monetary gain.

"I never thought of it that way, I just thought it was a cool machine," Mr. Belbin said.

"I drive them for recreation. I don't haul or tow any wood or anything, I just use it for pleasure rides, going in the valley."

What models is he looking to add to his collection?

"I have the ones that I sought for many years, and there's other models and other years," he said. "But there's only so many that you would reasonably want to have."