1985

Post by **jddecalguy** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:44 pm

With the buyout of the John Deere snowmobile line being sold to Polaris what was to happen with the John Deere snowmobile? Unfortunately it went the way that all us John Deere enthusiasts dreaded. It was simply dropped in its entirety.....

But, what if?

Lets just say for the sake of conversation that Polaris decided to continue with a John Deere snowmobile in 1985. The question has been asked what would it have been? If I were to guess at the way that this would've played out, is that there would have been probably only one or two models of snowmobiles. And like Arctic Cat did with Scorpion, they would have probably been rebadged Polaris due to the cost of R@D and tooling a line, for a whole line of different brand of sleds. Polaris would have more than likely only done this as a marketing tool to get their foot in the door with new dealers and new customers.

My question is, did Polaris try this and it just didn't reach the public eye? We have all heard rumors that they did, and also heard rumors that they didn't. So which rumors are true?

There are quite a few of you on this site that know me and maybe you can see where this is leading.....

More to follow.

Chris
jddecalguy

Liquifire84 · Post by **Liquifire84** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 12:15 am

I had an 85 indy with a differnt hood that was badged as a deere back a few years ago. It had a Kawasaki 550 with an early version of fuel injection. The hood was lexan and painted on the inside. More of a wedge shape. I have no idea if it was just someones idea or what and ended up selling it. The fuel system was a pain and very problematic. So I dont know myself I would hate to kick myself for letting it go if it was something. But I see where you are going with this and like it.

Brice

Post by **jddecalguy** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 12:34 am

I was wondering if it had happened what would they have named the deere sled? and i don't think that it would have been wildfire! any thoughts?

thanks,
chris
jddecalguy

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 12:39 am

I think someone has a picture of a prototype JD machine Polairs built with a 500 LC triple engine in a L-fire chassis.

Jack Frost · Post by **Jack Frost** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 12:55 am

JRC has one. Just not sure who built it and when. Can you fill in the blanks Jon?

Attachments:

JRC_LF_Polaris_Motor.jpg (137.76 KB)

pj sportfire · Post by **pj sportfire** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 12:59 am

:eek:
:eek:

Ohhhhh, myyyyy dear Lord...I just soiled myself.......................!!

:eek:

b00stinGTP · Post by **b00stinGTP** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 1:06 am

LOL pj. haha

Post by **jddecalguy** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 2:09 pm

ok, i can go with rich's speculation what would have happened if deere had bought out polaris? would deere have used polaris engineering on their sleds? i think that maybe they would have and that the sled that they came up with might look like this one that i found!!!!!!!!!!!

enjoy,
chris
jddecalguy

Attachments:

indator_done.jpg (154.51 KB)

Post by **jddecalguy** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 2:12 pm

here is one of the logo and name.

Attachments:

indator_logo.jpg (131.48 KB)

Post by **jddecalguy** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 2:15 pm

and one of the tail end.

Attachments:

indator_tail.jpg (154.61 KB)

Post by **jddecalguy** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 2:18 pm

and the last is a side view.

Attachments:

indator_side_veiw.jpg (134.98 KB)

Post by **jddecalguy** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 2:20 pm

pete (liquifire 4/6) are you ready to own another dotzler original?

Post by **jddecalguy** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 2:55 pm

this is a photo of it three days after waconia. i found it at waconia got it from duane(69camaro). i guess he thought that it wasn't as cool as a 84 liquifire!! i can see the toss up, own a limited built 84, or a one of one indator L/T.

chris
jddecalguy

Attachments:

bare_tunnel.jpg (1.35 MB)

Post by **jddecalguy** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 3:06 pm

here is a bigger photo of the side view.

Attachments:

69camaro · Post by **69camaro** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:46 pm

Wow Chris, way cool. I cannot believe this is the end result of that Indy chassis I brought you at Waconia.

I love it. I just got back on line. Our computor mother board died and we had to go to the Oakdale MN Best Buy to get the CPU we wanted. Eau Claire WI Best Buy was out and told us it would be 2-3 weeks to get one. 5 at Oakdale, not very good business practices but the end result is we still bought it from Best Buy so I guess they still won. :lol22:

Duane