Remember the mid-2000s? Vehicle prices have always been high for some of us but it seemed like a person could buy more for their money a couple of decades ago, as in a real Porsche with an engine. That being said, the seller has this 1970 Arova-Porsche 212 Skibob listed here on eBay in Ridgewood, New York, and they’re asking $4,500 or best offer. Yes, those two small skis attach to your feet to help with balance as you swoosh down the ski slope. Or more likely, you would just set this thing up next to your Porsche 911 at a car show. Thanks to PRA4SNW for sending in this tip!
I’m probably wrong about vehicle prices being much lower in the 2000s than they are now, given inflation and incomes, etc. Most of us who were working back then made much less than we do now, so maybe relatively, prices are about the same now as they were in the mid-2000s. One of you with more experience in statistics will hopefully fill in the blanks. What I was trying to get at is that a person could get a real, drivable, usable Porsche car (914? 924?) for $4,500 about 20 years ago. I promise you, no adult beverages were involved with this paragraph!
This is right up my alley, interest-wise. I have a 1980 Chrysler Sno Runner, which was another unusual vehicle made by a car company like this Arova-Porsche Skibob, although the Skibob isn’t powered by anything other than gravity. The body is made of glass fiber-reinforced plastic and all of the bits that make it usable on the slopes are stored inside. It reminds me of my Honda Motocompo, another oddball vehicle made to be carried in the back of a vehicle, as was the case with the Skibob. I can’t imagine a Porsche 911 owner pulling one of these 30-pound Skibobs out of the back of their car in the middle of winter in 1970, putting it together, and then sliding down a hill, but that was the intended purpose.
Prices have varied from the $2,000s to more than double the seller’s asking price recently, so this could be a good buy given the condition that this unusual two-person ski-sled appears to be in. The Arova Group reportedly made a few hundred of these unique non-powered compact gliding vehicles in this more popular blue color but a few examples were made in orange. I’d want one of each. And get one now, prices will never be lower than they are today. Once all of the collector cars are bought up, people start filtering down to these more affordable car-related items so naturally, their prices start to rise. From my middlin’ cypherin’ skills, converting 1970 Deutch Marks to dollars, and then the rise in inflation, I came up with an original cost of around $3,000 in 1970 equivalent U.S. dollars.
For once, I can’t complain about a seller not including an engine photo! This is where the accessories go and you can store your schnapps and whatever other winter necessities will be needed for your silent trip down the ski hill, surrounded by admirers, and/or people just staring at you as if you’ve lost your mind. Speaking of that, they can reportedly get up to 120 mph with an experienced rider. Here’s one on YouTube. Have any of you seen an Arova-Porsche 212 Skibob?
Looks a lot like a padded stapler.
Waiting for Howard to chime in.
Hi Howie, actually, to the delight of some, I’m speechless.
One sold here last month
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-porsche-skibob/
Speechless, ha, when they dig the hole. Leave it to the KING for a post like this. Actually, this was designed for people with disabilities in mind. Folks with leg issues, could swoosh down the steepest slopes with ease. I’ve never been downhill skiing, and I realize the irony of that living in the Rocky Mtns., mostly because my legs and back couldn’t take it, but this could work. It has “suspension”, apparently designed by Porsche, but any connection to the car, like the tractor, is strictly coincidential. I’m wondering how you get it back to the top of a hill?
Ha, you’re way too kind, sir. PRA4SNW sent in the tip so the biggest kudus goes in that direction.
That’s a great question. 30 pounds isn’t heavy but it’s a bit unwieldy, and would you have to fold it back together to carry it to the top again? The first biggest mystery may be, what the heck does 212 stand for? Two people, one seat, two legs with skis on them? I couldn’t find a mention of that.
Scotty, when I read an article about these, I knew I had to find one for sale and submit because I knew it was right up your alley. Previous to that, I had never heard of these. What a funky, odd accessory for the Porsche owner!
Thanks for posting the video, very interesting.
Porsche was probably trying to capitalize on the 007 craze. This is straight out of a bond film, all you need is a forward mounted machine gun!
In the early 60’s my brother and I built a takeoff of the wooden skipjack or jump jack from the 1800’s design. Hated it on snowy hills as it would not plane well and without the short skis on your feet you fall over a lot. On packed surface it got going way too fast to control and there was no way stop. Only rode mine twice, too scared to try again.
This was probably a Porsche Design project, separate from Porsche the car builders. I’ve always wanted one, band had a couple of chances to buy one, but their prices are always two steps ahead of me. Porsche Design is a consultancy and has designed furniture, kitchen utensils, tv sets, cameras, sunglasses, pens, aircraft cockpits, and much more.
Living in the mountains north of Oslo, Norway for three years prompted me to build a “ski chopper” out of an old bicycle frame. Skis front and rear and seating for two. Lots of fun on the long runs from the top of the peaks down to our house. Our driveway was a designated ski trail so getting home wasn’t hard.