Somebody has incredible taste in vehicles, as seen in the Cadillac CTS-V wagon parked next to this equally incredible and rare snowmobile. This rarely-seen and unusual, made in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, 1970 Snowbug Luvbug snowmobile is listed here on Facebook Marketplace. It can be found in an area that knows a thing or two about snow and snowmobiles: Mercer, Wisconsin, and they’re asking $6,800. Here is the original listing.
That’s a wide ski on the front, but I think I’d still want two skis if I had a choice. That being said, this Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, maker of snowmobiles, invented by Mr. Howard Schraeder, seemed to do ok with just one ski. They were made for a long time, and even some of us who are diehard vintage snowmobile fans haven’t heard of the Snowbug. The company offered them from 1958 through 1977, so two solid decades, and this one comes with an original pull-behind Snowbug sled. The seller refers to this snowmobile as a Snobug, but it’s actually spelled Snowbug.
The first model in the late 1950s was a single-seat work sled, but you can see that this is a side-by-side two-seater. They were put to work by crews in Northern Canada, folks like miners, farmers, surveyors, prospectors, hunters, trappers, etc. The unusual, almost military-looking rear end of this Luvbug model appears perfect, as does almost everything else about this example. The seller says they bought it last year for their “snowmobile wedding,” which is about as cool as it gets. I didn’t know there was such a thing, but what better to tie the knot than in a two-seat Luvbug. An electric start system will keep that newly-married couple happy rather than arguing as to who will pull-start this thing.
The seating area is as simple as it gets compared to other sleds from 1970. There isn’t even a speedometer here, and no other gauges at all that I can see, but it does have reverse and foot pedals for acceleration and braking. These last two photos are screenshots from the seller’s video. Sadly, most of the photos are vertical, and the video is even a vertical. I know, for a horizontal vehicle, it drives me nuts, too. Believe it or not, this rig has a single track, and all of the Snowbug snowmobiles had a single track. By 1970, the three models were the Snowbug, Superbug, and the Luvbug. The Luvbug was the bomb-diggity model, top of the pack. This track is 31.5 inches wide, and this sled weighs 450 pounds. That isn’t as much as it could be with aluminum and fiberglass construction keeping the weight down.
As the top model, the Luvbug should have the biggest engine, a 336-cc Sachs two-stroke with 27 horsepower. This one is clearly a single-cylinder, but I believe a twin-cylinder was also available, as it’s listed in my snowmobile bible (Snowmobile History, by Pierre Pellerin). It’s not a ton of power, but it should be more than enough to carry two happily married people around on groomed trails. You do not want to get this one stuck in the deep snow, not that you want to get any snowmobile stuck in deep snow. I really like this one; it looks like an absolute jewel, and for anyone interested in drawing a huge crowd at a vintage snowmobile show, you could hardly do better than this. Have you heard of this model?
Ah, he’s back, and not a minute too soon. Certainly no relation to the VW LoveBug, and I’m a bit uneasy with the 1 ski, but several sleds had those, mostly for slow going, maintenance types, I’m sure the dual tracks plow through anything.The steering wheel is a bit odd, never saw a sled with one, looks like a well built unit. While “snowmobile wedding” may sound unusual, but folks have “ski slope” weddings here all the time,,,in winter, that is. Great find, and again, SG, welcome back!
This thing is neat… I’m with Howard, I’ve never seen a sled with a steering wheel before, the wheel reminds me of one you’d find on a garden tractor in Sears in the late 60’s early 70’s. I’m also with Howard on the one ski in front too. I’m no expert, but I’d probably take the turns a little slow if riding on this one. But still, I like it!!! Side by side is a great idea, you can even hear the person you’re riding with, or, well, at least try to read their lips. Nice one Scotty!!!
Hi Dave, well, I needed more info. Apparently, this does NOT have dual tracks, just one 31.5 inch as Scotty mentioned( I really need to read these better), and was touted as the “safest snowmobile” made. Typically,, steering on a dual track, would turn the ski, but also slow one track or the other for better turning. Not here, however. Their logic, I suppose, was 1 ski was less of a drag through deep snow than 2. I don’t know about that, I think most of your time would be pulling this out of a ditch.
I like this! It’s a snowmobile for those who don’t like snowmobiles, as you have side-by-side seating, and you’re well protected from the elements. It may not be fast but it would be fun to run one of these.
“..but it should be more than enough to carry two happily married people around on GROOMed trails..”
Saw what you did there, Scotty.😂👍🏻
It was a reach but one you can and did pull off!
I can smell the stinky exhaust from here.
One person’s stink is another’s aroma. I love the smell myself; it brings me back to my childhood. That being said, I also love the smell and sound of a diesel, but we never had a diesel, so maybe I’m just weird. (no maybe about it)
Yes Scotty, you are weird. But not more so than the rest of us. Just like Rallye and a couple of others. The smell of cooking bratwurst, burned racing fuel and burned rubber revives the wonderful smell of Road America! I had a,traditional (one of three) wedding. But spent the honeymoon on a trip to The Longbeach Grand Prix. (When it was still an FIA Grand Prix) So generally “Gearheads” do life differently than the “standard citizens “!
Scotty……
I’ll see your two stroke fumes AND your Diesel fumes…..
And RAISE you Lacquer paint Fumes!!!!
Honestly I like all three. That and remember what gasoline used to smell like with lead?
Boy I’m getting off topic here.
Ha, thanks Wayne, I think?! (just kidding) If a person is checking out Barn Finds, they’re a big weird in a good way, as far as I’m concerned. It’s easy to like modern vehicles on some other sites, but the variety here, some old, some newer, some beat to heck, some pristine and restored, some with wheels and some with tracks, either rubber or steel, clinches it for me.
I was at the Long Beach GP a couple of years ago, and I wish I could have flown my drone there. I had a photo shoot right on the perimeter, a new apartment complex, but NO DRONES were allowed by the FAA, and that was probably a good idea, or it would have been a nightmare to have a ton of them flying around.
I remember that, Dave! And building models as a kid, that smell of the glue, no wonder I make so many mistakes here…
Oh boy Scotty. Testors model glue AND Testors paint too!!! Didn’t the gold and silver paint smell different from the solid red and blue and yellow etc colors? Boy we’re veerimg way off topic here. But thats the beauty of Barnfinds and being able to have comments from us in the crowd here.
I’m w/ you on all that, Scotty. I love the smell of two stroke in the morning. I’ve also never had a diesel but I like the sound & scent of the exhaust. From an internet search:
“Olfactory memory is the intense, often emotional, recollection of past experiences triggered by scents. Unlike other senses, smell travels directly to the brain’s amygdala and hippocampus, bypassing the thalamus, which creates strong links between odors, emotions, and memories. These, often, early-childhood memories are remarkably long-lasting, known as the “Proust effect”.”
I guess that explains why I always think of my High School Band bus trip to Florida when I get a whiff of diesel.
PS- This Snowbug ad looks familiar and it is in Wisconsin, like me… Did I perhaps submit this one or did you find this one on your own?
Keep up the good work.
~Lothar
Lothar! I did see this one lounging around just under a listing that you sent in for something else, if I remember right. I couldn’t resist sending it in, but I rarely mention it when I find tips.
It’s not even March yet, but it feels like winter is almost over. Just don’t mention it to the folks on the East Coast or a couple’three hours north of where I live. I hope folks aren’t getting tired of seeing old snowmobiles here yet.
Sachs engines were at one time powering 75% of all motorcycles world-wide. They were the number one in 2-stroke technology and built absolutely bullet proof powerplants. Also, they held just about every patent in bicycle technology until about 1965. The first folding bicycle designed was a Fichtel & Sachs (1915). Strangely, they designed, but never built two stroke multi-cylinder engines until Fend approached them and they sold him a 500cc 2- twin they had laying around. Fend redesigned it and used it in his ill fated Messerschmitt Tiger Kabinenroller.
Does the dog come with it??? Just asking for a friend!!
Yes, this certainly would be quite the ‘mochine’ to be driving around on the ‘BRIDE-L PATH’ don’t you think, Nevadahalktrack???
They are kind of rare south of the border and when ones do show up at Vintage Snowmobile events they do turn some heads.
Next January the MVSS Midwest Ride-In (worlds largest antique and vintage snowmobile event) in Dayton MN will be featuring “Canadian Orphan sleds” of which this surely would qualify.
Thanks for mentioning that, John! That was quite a show this year. I still miss the Waconia location, but I think for riders, the new spot sounds like the best yet. I’ll be there for sure! I’ll be the tall, skinny goofball with a cheesy mustache taking 493,084 photos of everything.
The new location for the MVSS Midwest Ride-In seemed to be met with almost 100% approval. A tad more snow would have been nice, but we had just enough. Please be sure to come introduce yourself next January. I look forward to meeting you.
400 sleds in the judged show this year. It kind of looked like the old Waconia days.
Will do, sir, I’m looking forward to that. This pic is from a decade ago in Waconia. There were a couple of two-seater Sno-Coupes there, but also some customs with room for more than two people. Pretty creative.
I thought that ambient automtive smells were ok and cool in relation to the automotive world. But you guys sniffing glue and paint explains alot! (lol) Just keep the craziness coming! We love it all!
It’s got a Bond Bug feel to it – or a Reliant Robin…
Loved the Bond Bug, what a great design. I don´t know about the reliability of the drive train, but the overall concept was in my opinion, absolute genius.
yes, bug & robin of sled world! perfect.
dog’n caddy need to come with the sale (german short haired pointer?)
I think you’d Have to be married to ride it as 1 ski means being well coordinated to track different radius turns
aahahaha
Listing update: this one is marked as SOLD!