Liquifire Prototype

[Matt]

This photo was posted on Facebook recently of what appears to be prototype Liquifire in 1978 at the races. Posted by Devin Humpal‎: "It raced the 4 seasons classic snowmobile race in Pembine, WI by Doud Oster in 1978." As Jesse Babler posted on facebook, "Never believe a decal you see on a prototype". However it does appear to have a Kawasaki L/C engine from what you can see through the grill, and while it's true Deere never used a 340cc version of this engine in production, Kawasaki did, so it easily could have had a 340 Invader engine for testing purposes.

A side view of the same sled posted by Jesse Babler:

[DeereKid9]

I'm anxiously awaiting some more info on this. Jesse shed a lot on it but to hear from Doug or Steve would be awesome.

Sent from my SM-T217S using Tapatalk

[AirborneX4Special]

The jug and chrome head nuts typical of a Kawasaki L/C are pretty evident in that picture due to the missing grille. No telling what the displacement might really be since it's a prototype. It could possibly qualify as the "black Trailfire" that was seen motoring about in Eagle River at the '79 Derby.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

I'm sort of hung up on why the two up seat for racing. Doug? Steve?

DA

[AirborneX4Special]

I'm sort of hung up on why the two up seat for racing. Doug? Steve?

DA

Deere did not have another seat option for '79, not that it matters because the prototypes Stan Hayes rode later had sport seats. This sled looks exactly like the one pictured in the rare Sneak Preview of the 1980 Liquifire foldout literature with a few exceptions:

No grille
No reflective bumper tape
No hood decal in front of headlight
Extra "340" decal in front of windshield
1978 decals

Can't tell which track / suspension is on it. Sneak Preview LF has TF track and suspension, black tunnel, and 79 TF themed graphics package.

[davefishhead]

My son posted the picture on facebook. We got it from my dads scrapbook when he race john deeres. He thinks it was the 4 season race but not a 100% sure. It was 40 years ago. My dad Bob Humpal got second in the race and he think it was Oster driving that sled and got 4th. that all he can remember.

[Danzig]

love it !!

I actually thought about doing this to a 1980 Liquifire back when JACKFROST frequented this site, we were scheming a couple years ago.

Interesting to see it brought to life 30 + year ago.

[buckeyetrailfire]

Great pictures .I like how the decals wrap around to the front of the hood .

[ihengineer76]

http://www.bosscatlegacy.com/acproto/pr ... ountry.htm

Look what is next to the 1979 racing model in the pictures. Looks a bit like the 79 Liquifire.

[sledhead16]

I wonder if it has detuned heads or kawi heads......Tom interesting pic as well

[AirborneX4Special]

http://www.bosscatlegacy.com/acproto/pr ... ountry.htm

Look what is next to the 1979 racing model in the pictures. Looks a bit like the 79 Liquifire.

That sled is one of the Stan Hayes operated prototypes with the 440 engine, all rubber track, and heavy suspension. Looks like #26, but no way to tell from that picture.

[JRC ETD]

The black and white photo is the main bay at Balsam Lake. JRC

[Horicon Joe]

I believe that is a Trailfire decaled as a LIQ. I can't be sure but it looks like it to me. The bumper does not appear to be Liquifire and you can see how tight it fits to the hood with no big gaps like all the Liquifires have due to the wider stance.

Joe

[Horicon Joe]

I believe this could be that sled but the decals have been changed.

Joe

[Horicon Joe]

I believe this is the motor you can see in that picture. Again it appears to be a modified Trailfire or Sprortfire frame.