Portable Snowmobile? 1981 Chrysler Sno Runner
Well, son of a you know what, I have never seen or heard of a Chrysler Sno Runner! Having spent a lot of my life in the south, I’m not familiar with snowmobiles, or even skis for that matter unless they’re the kind that you use behind a boat. And I knew Chrysler Corporation was diversified at one time with marine and defense divisions, but winter sports too? Every day is an education so let’s examine this 1981 Chrysler Sno Runner. It is located in Vernon-Rockville, Connecticut and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $1,225 with ten bids tendered so far.
According to Hemmings, (the article is mistitled using the years 1968-1972) Chrysler, looking for alternate sources of revenue, decided to marry their 134 CC marine engine to a snow bike thingee, and thus the Sno Runner was created. Approximately 28K units were produced between 1979 and 1981.
This example is a non-runner and the seller states, “Does not run, being sold as-is No formal mechanical evaluation has been made“. The Hemmings article stated that a restrictive exhaust system cut the power of that single-cylinder, 134 CC marine engine to just 7 HP so that the Sno Runner, “was good for a top speed of around 25 MPH in ideal conditions, but those were specific conditions, indeed. A Sno Runner will really only run on flat, highly groomed trails“. Hemmings ultimately summed up the Sno Runner by stating, “Hyped as a sizzler, too little horsepower caused it to fizzle“.
This example is in nice shape, it appears to have seen little use, there are no scratches and nothing looks like it has been knocked off as the result of a run-in with an errant pine tree. The frame is made of aluminum and the sections are attached with quick release pins so the entire thing can be easily and quickly dismantled for transport and storage. There is also some discussion in the article around enhancements that can be performed on the engine to coax a little more oomph out of it. The good news is the upgrade is good for a 60% power increase, the bad news is that’s only another 4.2 HP – every bit helps I guess.
I’m not certain where one could use such a contraption, I would think you’re likely to get run over on a regular snowmobile trail but perhaps there are others that are more inclined towards hiking, where the trail could be shared. You could go off-road (off-trail?) as so to speak but recall the statement regarding flat, highly groomed trails being the best bet. As for the non-running status of the engine, there are a few websites that advertise available parts and the total volume output for the Sno Runner was not measly. Show of hands please, who’s familiar with this most unlikely creation from the great, late Chrysler Corporation?
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Comments
When I first saw this, I would have bet $100 that it was a Scotty Gilbertson post, lol. It’s definitely interesting and kind of cool, but again, I don’t know what you would do with it other than put it in your living room and stare at it all night. Good job sharing this one Jim!
Hi Bluetec, you aren’t very far off. I can say Scotty is busy with his “day job”, but wouldn’t mind me being his spokesperson. Last winter, Scotty actually bought one of these. No surprise, as he has several “oddballs” in his collection.
Coming from Wisconsin, I’m very familiar with these. The engines, which are an old West Bend design that Chrysler Marine bought, and were used in a variety of machines, from chainsaws and ground pounders to, well, SnoRunners. They are horribly underpowered and didn’t do well in anything over 4 inches, but on light snow, they are a blast. It came from a time when recreational snow travel was in it’s infancy, and many companies tried in vain, to sell their idea. The SnoRunner will go down in history as probably the worst rendition of that craze.
Seems that every one of them is for sale lately.
I have no first-hand experiences with these but have
read the comments that these are horrible in the snow.
Once they pop up on BaT for a good price, they come out of the woodwork. 12 of them for sale just this year on the website.
Concur with that. Lightly used examples seem to come for sale often. Probably because they were slow and not used much once the novelty wore off. Wonder if anyone’s ever looked into bolting a much more powerful modern 150cc motorcycle engine into one of these, I’ll need to check YouTube later.
the west bend 820 engine in here is a 134 cc rated at about 7 horse power. they went like heck with this engine, I sold them back in the 1970s. I should have kept one, kicking myself now.
I would call it a scream mobile.
The issue that makes these nearly useless is point weight. Put a 180lb person on that skinny ski/belt, and in anything other than hard packed snow you are only going to sink. Cool idea, but not really useful
It looks like something meant to stay inside – in the rec room next to the Stairmaster.
I would use it as a shortcut to the Emergency Room!
I have no experience with this; we ran Ski Doos, but in the 1970s there were over 100 companies in the snowmobile game.
Actually, I read, there have been over 250 brands over the years, most of them made in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan( with claims of the 1st snowmobile made) or by garden implement makers that tried their luck, in vain.
https://powersportsguide.com/brands-of-snowmobiles/
Bonneville Salt Flats here I come. Little tuning, aero and a helmet.
Had a pair of these. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Tried riding them. Practically gave them away.
At least they say not running, most sellers say has not been tested, so you know what that means. Says no tile available.
I haven’t seen one of these since the movie “Help!”.
I see these and can just about hear Johnny Olson announcing on the Price Is Right back in 1981 “The next item up for bid is…” as the doors open up and two of Barker’s Babes are sitting on a pair of these in ski outfits.
seen these in acoupla recent movies. I like the idea. Hafta have it for 1/2 day B4 deciding ona purchase…w/the earth changes (starting in Y2K round here) winter shows up in New England in Feb steda late Dec. 2 mo, not 4 – 6…
Sno Runner sometimes called a Sno Bunny..
If you can stay on a lite motorcycle, you stay on of one of these.
I disagree with the articles dating of the Sno Runner. I clearly remember a 2 page advert for one of these in Winter 1976 ( 7th Grade for me.) and couldn’t wait to ask my Dad for permission to use my Summer car washing money to purchase one from Clark Boat and Motor near our hometown. Mom said, and I quote…”There are far better ways to bust your head open!” So I was a little clutzy at 13.
After seeing this one, I am going to get mine ready for sale.
SnoRunner are great vehicles in Hemi Orange, and easily run in 5” to 6” of snow. I own two fully running ones, standard exhaust (25 mph) and high performance exhaust (35 mph) and they both easily carry me, and I am 6’4 at 300 lbs. Designed for Military paratroopers and quick take down for easy transport.
I beg to disagree. Joseph Armand Bombardier built the first snowmobile in 1935.
We also invented the “Robertson” screw that is way better than a “Philips” but Americans refuse to admit they are better because Canada invented them.
Same as the Telephone. Alexander Graham Bell Brantford Ontario.
Google it. :)