1980 Finncat

The Finncat was first produced in 1978 in Uleaborg, Finland after five years of testing by the inventor Jorma Pohjola. It has a unique steering system. The track is made from 13 pieces of stretchable plastic and will stretch like an accordion in the front on the opposite side of the turn, which will allow more lift on the exterior side of the turn, which pulls the vehicle in the other direction.
Only about 10 units were made in 1979 & 80 in a cooperation with Aktiv in Sweden, a producer of snowmobiles. The cooperation was discontinued due to quality problems.
This Finncat is powered by a Rotax 2 stroke, 2 cyl. 496cc engine with electric start. Other engines included Arctic Spirit (Suzuki) & Hirth. It weighs 595 lbs. It has a motorcycle type throttle and a transmission with 2 speeds forward, neutral and reverse.

On Sept 20, 2019, The Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum was awarded a grant of $12,500 for Operational Support from the State of Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA – ART WORKS). The grant was awarded through the MCACA peer review process and was one of 561 applications to compete for MCACA fiscal year 2019 funding. The grant requires a 1:1 match and helped the museum leverage the $12,500 of support from its annual income and the many donations from supporters. In particular the museum has received grants from the Graymont Community Economic Development Fund and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. It has also received significant donations from the Antique Snowmobile Club of America, The Midwest Vintage Snowmobile Shows, Inc., many snowmobile clubs, several recreational and snowmobile shows, the museum’s internal $1,000.00 Challenge, and many museum members. The grant funds will be applied to museum operating costs. Applicable costs include internal operations, marketing, travel to shows within the State of Michigan and cost of employees. The MCACA peer review process allows for each grant applicant to be competitively considered by a panel of in-state and out-of-state arts and culture professionals. This ensures the taxpayers, who support this project through legislative appropriations, and all other visitors or residents in Michigan will have access to the highest quality arts and cultural experiences. A complete list of grant awards around the state is available by contacting MCACA at (517) 241-4011, or by visiting the MCACA website at www.michigan.gov/arts

Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum
P.O. Box 2
W11660 US-2
Naubinway, MI 49762
Hours: 906 477-6298
Appointment: 906 477 6192

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