Are you talking about the 1982 version with Kurt Russell?
Here's some info that someone posted a while ago regarding the cats in that film...
Snow Cats/Thiokol in film "The Thing"/Stewart, B.C.
From: Todd
Date: 11/21/02
Time: 7:53:48 PM
Remote Name: 65.93.27.50
Comments
I am trying to locate the Snow Cats and/or Thiokol vehicles that were used in the film "The Thing" (1982) filmed in Stewart, British Columbia. These vehicles were used:
1. A yellow two-seater snow tractor with no plow attached, visible in the shot where the Norwegian helicopter chases the dog past the blue Chevron jet fuel container in the snow. (I believe this may be a Thiokol "Imp" model - I'm trying to verify this)
Edit: I am almost positive this is a Thiokol Imp 1404 standard track. The door shape is about right (it blows open when the helicoper goes past).
2. A yellow Bombardier Skidozer 301 two-seater plow, parked near the outpost helicopter, visible as the Norwegian helicopter circles the camp in the very next shot. If you look closely, Childs can be seen working on this tractor in the long shot.
3. A dark green Caterpillar 1-man plow, parked between the outpost's helicopter and Blair's shack, also visible as the Norwegians circle the camp. Three characters manage to squeeze into the cab of this one near the end of the film.
4. A yellow 2-seater Bombardier Skidozer 302-XXX (suffix undetermined) snowplow, used by Childs to cover over the first burned remains.
The two Bombardier Skidozers are similar, but have differences. For example, the power and hydraulics cables to the plow on the 301 attach to the driver's side of the front of the cab, whilst the cables on the 302 attach on the passenger side.
I will be in Stewart next August to track down one of these machines and some other items. I have heard the studio had an auction after the film and sold them. Any feedback/assistance/hints would be appreciated. Thanks! Todd
todd@outpost31.com