Tracking down my grandpa's old sleds

[RossoRacer]

Back when I was a teenager, my maternal grandfather gave my family the 295/S and JDX8 that he had bought new in the early '70s and that my mom rode during her teens. The 295/S even still had some damage to the skis and the windshield from when she flipped it back in those days. Then in early 2012, within a few months after his death, the sleds had to go while I was at college....bills had to be paid or something. Now, I'm finally able to afford a fair price to bring them back to the family....if they can be found.

To that end, I went to the local John Deere dealer and asked if they could look up the serial numbers. They weren't sure, but apparently it was possible. With that info, the few limited pics I still have access to(6+ year old flip phones apparently don't like to transfer pictures), and what I remember of the condition they were in, I've been trying to track them down, hoping they're both still intact and somewhere near western Michigan. Posted to 3 different JD sled facebook groups, to craigslist, http://www.vintagesleds.com forums, and now here. Hoping and praying the sledding community can pull off a miracle.

295/S #020075. Last seen, it had skis with slightly different curvatures and some damage to the bottom right corner of the windshield from the accident I mentioned earlier. And no, I'm told nobody was hurt, just my mom and her friend got thrown into some powder and she had to straighten a ski back out. Windshield also seemed to be the same exact kind as was on the JDX8, as opposed to the half-height windshield I've seen in all but a couple 295/S pictures. This model also had the optional front-mounted 5-gallon fuel tank, same kind as on the JDX8 if memory serves. It also had an L-bracket on the left side of the seat, holding it to the rest of the sled because the seat had been sliding around. I'm given to understand the 295/S was available with two or three different suspension setups, and while I wouldn't know which was "bogie" or "slide", I know this one had a single piece track containing several small wheels, and I don't recall any hydraulic shocks in there. Both grab handles were broken off too, but I wouldn't know how common that was.

JDX8 #022920. Nothing extra special I can recall about it, just that alot of the cleats holding the 3-piece track together had fallen off, and the brake handle had been broken and glued back together last time I saw it. And it didn't have the rear seat-back that I've seen in the display pictures of other people's JDX8's lately.

Both would have been sold via craigslist to two separate collectors sometime in February-April 2012. Both had expired gold Michigan registration stickers on either side of the hood, and a pink/purple expired Michigan trail permit above the headlight. And I think the person who bought the JDX8 also got the trailer, if that helps any. Really I'm more interested in finding the sleds than the trailer, but if by God's grace they're found, I'll need something to haul them home on, heh? Any and all help you guys are willing/able to provide is very much appreciated.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Daniel, I hope someone can help you. It would be great to see you find them.

DA

[RossoRacer]

Thanks. Not sure where all else I can ask, but if some who are kind enough to check the serial numbers on theirs happen to match them, I'll be jumping on that pretty quick.

[Old Yamy]

Do you know the registration numbers.
Michigan DNR may be able to tell you if they're registered and to who.

[monte44]

My uncle has 25-30 295/s sleds. I'll see if he has this one.

[RossoRacer]

Whew, that's ALOT of a single model, especially a limited run 1000-sled model from 40+ years ago!!!! I was contacted this week by the guy to whom my parents sold the 295/S. He's chopped the windshield to standard 295/S height and painted it John Deere yellow, cleaned up the gas tank and some of the engine bits, and believes the skis have different contours because one of them is probably a replacement steel ski instead of the aluminum that is standard for a 295/S. Said his dad had a 295/S and he doesn't wanna sell right now, but given my connection to this particular sled he would do so if I can find a third party willing to sell him their 295/S.

[RossoRacer]

Hey @monte44, would you mind seeing if your uncle is willing to potentially sell one of his so the current owner of this one will sell it to me?

[RossoRacer]

Bump!!! No reply in awhile. Still haven't found another 295/S to buy so I can get my grandpa's back, and I can't find the JDX8 anywhere, though I have confirmed that like the 295/S it would be a 1974 model year.

[Green and Gold]

https://appleton.craigslist.org/snw/d/n ... 53153.html


Central Wisconsin, been running for awhile.

[RossoRacer]

Well, a month or two ago the 295/S finally came home, thanks to an expert restorer deciding I'd waited long enough and that he would sell me one of his to trade to the guy who had my grandpa's old sled. Still nothing on JDX8 #022920 aside from a rumor that the son of a former John Deere executive has an extensive collection in Muskegon area somewhere and that it might be there. Apparently said son of former executive likes to buy up alot of old John Deere stuff and hoard it or something.

[AirborneX4Special]

Finding the 295/S is unbelievable considering the circumstances. The X8 would be an absolute bonus.