Sometimes a vehicle just makes me wonder, “why?” But everything has its fanbase, and so it is with the Alsport Tracker, made from 1970 through 1972. The Tracker was billed as an amphibious vehicle that would ferry two passengers across snow, ice, dirt, or water – not well and not quietly, but at least from here to there. The Alsport Tracker was the brainchild of Robert Warner, who fished an ad out of a wastebasket for a snowmobile-type vehicle, purchased the trade name, and commenced developing the Tracker in about 1970. Here on craigslist in Hudson, New Hampshire is an Alsport Tracker for sale with an asking price of $2,000. Thanks to Lee Bailey for the tip! The Tracker was sold in hunting shops and through magazine ads. Two versions were available, both fitted with rear-mounted air-cooled engines in the sub-400 cc category.
The Tracker came with front wheels that were interchangeable with skis for the snow; a set of each comes with this vehicle. Rear tracks provided grip and their vanes gave that tiny bit of propulsion needed for water travel. The tracks are essentially impossible to find in case you need replacements today. Here is an excellent set of photos and a discussion of how to handle track replacement. The motor was linked to a manual transmission with forward and reverse gears. It ran on three chains which required occasional tightening and lubrication. The top speed was about 40 mph, a scary proposition. This Tracker apparently needs “fuel work” as it doesn’t always want to start.
The body tub was fiberglass and the whole shebang weighed about 625 lbs. It was 106″ long and about 41″ tall. So if you got stranded in a snow drift, you and your passenger better have spent some time at the gym in order to pull her out. The owner indicates he does have the cover for the engine bay. Here you can barely see the one gauge supplied, which was for the fuel level.
Forums for vintage snowmobiles are the likeliest source of help for these vehicles, and most of them indicate that finding parts is very tough. Still, people seem to be restoring these things, like this guy. One thing is for sure, you’ll be the only kid on your block with one of these. What do you think, is this Tracker worth restoring?
I have never seen one like this, i had many that had the 6 wheels, posted 12 days ago.
I bought one of these in Pittsburgh. It was nothing but hell to drive. I traded it for ATC Honda .
I found a few YouTube videos of these and even a Facebook page, looks like you need pretty flat ground to run on.
Thank you BF for the variety of vehicle for us to View!!! Great stuff please keep up the quality work!!
I restored one of these several years back. It took two years to do and ended up requiring manufacturing some parts myself. It worked great with the wheels on during the summer months. I. The winter with the skis on, not so much. Too wide to be legal for any designated snowmobile trails and making a turn had to be a pre planned event. Was lots of fun to use and show.
Hello Brian, do you still have the Tracker? My dad was a regional sales rep for Alsport and sold these. Along with Tri-sports, Boaski snowmobiles and Steen Motorcycles. It made for a very fun childhood. If you still have it, I’d love to see some pictures.
Mark, I do have some pictures but it was sold to collector many years ago due to a pending divorce at the time.
I have one of these, and I’m wondering if there might be some skis out there. I only have the wheels. Robert Ross,Ross Bros