1971 Big Boss

In 1970-71, 20 Big Boss snowmobiles were manufactured in Ovid, MI by Aurora Engineering. Only 8 were ever sold and the rest were destroyed as a part of a bankruptcy proceeding. This model with a 340cc CCW engine is one of three known to have survived. CCW and Tohatsu motors were used. The chassis has aluminum angle iron installed on the bottom of the chassis for mounting the bogie wheels. This was only used on the first few manufactured.
The sales literature for the Big Boss is completely different from the actual machine except for the green and black color scheme. At one time the company had intended to buy snowmobiles from an un-named Canadian manufacturer and rebadge them as Big Bosses. The sales literature looks exactly like an Alaska Ski, which was a red and black color scheme versus the green and black on the Big Boss. This intention was never carried out.

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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