Remember how some guys cut the center post out of the rear window in their '63 Corvettes? Well, that's not what happened here. It's a modified 601 but at least it was done nicely with a curved roof line. I have some steel sideboards for it that I think will make it look pretty sharp when I get around to the rebuild. I like the 603 looks so I guess I'll have a clone. Sure like that 4T2 of yours. That being said I'm free of the originality constraints and open to make changes to this one. Where (and why?) are you finding all these 601's? Alaska? Isn't it about time to add some gallery pix?
Yea, that curved roof line threw me hard. Started salivating thinking about the quality job that was done as opposed to the usual pop-rivet bent-lip dealio. I have to admit that as much as I like to keep original I do agree that its very kewl once the whole thing opens up...boom... then a person can really make it theirs...exactly how they like!
I'm sure you saw that Yellow 4T2 that said "Why not?" on it. That rocked. You can see they probably had difficulty in finding original grousers so went straight tubing. Possible that track design may be an improvement on speed...who knows. Once you get up to speed the track traction may act negatively for speed. Maybe not.
Well, I like the style and history of the 601... I like the hatch on top and the Air Force adoption of the design...and also the need to be an ATV and when necessary a snowcat. So, its different that way. At the same time it doesnt do as well in powder as we've all discussed...but in Maine...who cares. Ain't that much powder. Unlike the Mikester, I'm purely acquiring them to collect for me (I still think he's got some secret plan he's not letting us in on besides the obvious one he discusses...I just have this itchy feeling he's planning some sort of snowcat invasion). That's it...well, to collect and really cherry out over the years and then hand them down. I also like the Trackmaster and 601's because they can hold 8 people and its not by bolting on a big box on the back...its a nicely integrated design. I've gotten my fill of collecting and restoring classic cars... just isnt anywhere near as cool as cats. I even contemplate selling cars to fund the cat addiction...but I've put too much into them to sell them...I could sell every car I bought and restored for more than I paid but now I'm emotionally attached to the dang things!
I'm in the 'logistical nightmare' stage of getting the new cats into my hands. Always such a hastle and always...WEST coast... bummer. I dont want to transport them during the winter so I'm trying to get it all going before winter which is very near term...or I'll have to wait until next year and the owners are all kind enough to let me keep them on their grounds until I'm ready to transport. I havent bought from commercial dealers yet but thats just chance... I probably would.
What I really want to do is a road trip like BPierce and Mikey. THAT would rock. I'd return home broke though.
I have passed up both Trackmasters and 601's from people that are smoking crack thinking that they are worth a mountain of cash...we all know they ain't. They typically sell between 2,500 and 6,000 when they are in running condition. They're worth more as parts but its rare to find people that even need the parts so that doesnt really work out to do. The pimped cat on eBay was an exceptionally high selling price (25K) for obvious reasons...that cat was purchased on eBay before it was pimped for 2,500. It was neon-lime-green.
I also just like finding stuff at deal prices...like we all do I guess.