Hollywood pitchman Chuck Connors enjoys a few laughs with Scorpion employees at a company sponsored event. From left: Frank "Nunny" Vukelich, John Perpich, Chuck Connors and Uno Nord. Crosby-Ironton Courier

Massey-Ferguson's Don L. Douglass, Senior Vice President of Sales (left) and Scorpion's President Harvey V. Paulson (right), announce a long-term agreement to build Massey snowmobiles in the Crosby-based plant beginning next year (for model year 1976). Massey's 1975 model is displayed along with Scorpion's brand-new Whip. Crosby-Ironton Courier

Sporting an innovative liquid-cooled engine, the Brut 340 featured a Power Pac Drive Train for smooth power. This high-performance machine was available in both two and three-cylinder configurations. Featuring Norm Lund, formerly of Brut. Company marketing photo

Hollywood legend Chuck Connors while shooting Scorpion promotional footage in the Brainerd Lakes area. Norm Lund of Brut seated in the background. Courtesy: Dan Lund

Hollywood legend Chuck Connors while shooting Scorpion promotional footage in the Brainerd Lakes area. Norm Lund of Brut enjoys some time off-camera with the television star. Courtesy: Richard Wentworth

The all-new Whip presented by Hollywood legend, Chuck Connors - The Rifleman. Company marketing photo

Jim Engen, Scorpion's Director of Marketing proudly poses beside the firm's new compact sports model, the Lil' Whip. This extremely rare promotional shot was taken near Brainerd, Minnesota. Courtesy: Amber Engen Schlegel

The Super Stinger 400 makes a final appearance. Company marketing photo.

Riding a family-friendly Whip taken direct from the showroom, racing amateur Roger Ebert of Nisswa prepares for the final leg of the Winnipeg-St. Paul - 500 Snowmobile Race. Competing against modified racing machines and professional drivers, Ebert's top-10 finish spoke wonders for Scorpion's quality and durability. Newsprint - origin unknown.

For a second year, Hollywood spokesperson Chuck Connors lends his image to the firm's continued advertising efforts. Company brochure.

Made exclusively by Scorpion, Massey-Ferguson announces the 340 liquid-cooled Cyclone patterned after the innovative Brut. Company brochure. Courtesy Brad Goodenbour. Massey described the machine as follows: Want a little something extra in your snowmobiling? This is the one - a fast, sleek, high-performance cross-country competitor. The Cyclone features a slide suspension for sure-footed traction, and either a 340 (2-cylinder) or 440 (3-cylinder) Brooten liquid-cooled engine. First proven liquid-cooled power plant in the snowmobile industry, the Brooten engine can run all out without overheating-thanks to a heat exchanger cooled by snow. There's a Mikuni carburetor for each cylinder-the same kind of carbs used for motorcycle enduro racing. And the modified Power Pac clutch is both torque and speed sensing, to deliver an unusually high ratio of horsepower to the track. So when you crack that throttle wide open, you'll know you've got a Cyclone under you.

Although retired from racing, Scorpion's legendary Odd Job 440 continues to be featured prominently in company literature. Company brochure. Location: Lumbertown, Brainerd Minnesota.

The full-size Range Whip 400 was unveiled. The machine featured the two-cylinder Cuyuna engine and a lightweight chassis. Company photo.

Set aside the Cuyuna Range chain of lakes, the cover of the handbook, "The Scorpion Story" features the still growing manufacturing facility.  Now a sought-after collectors item, the booklet provides an excellent review of the firm's history, particularly highlighting the early Paulson years.  Crystalline mine pit lakes of Armour and Portsmouth are featured to the rear. This pamphlet was also distributed as a special advertising supplement in the September, 1975 issue of Snow Sports Dealer News.

A rare look inside the bustling manufacturing facility. Company photo.

Responding to rising gasoline prices, Scorpion's product expansion into Mopeds is announced with a "Heck's Angels" theme, including from L to R the SC1, SC 2X, and SC 2. Company brochure. Courtesy: Les Pinz.

The Whip's new TK 440 version. Company brochure.

The four track Quad Trac groomers roll-off the Crosby-Ironton assembly line. Company photo

The all new Whip TK 440 featuring fiery new graphics and shape. Company marketing photo.

Brad Hulings (left) and David "Mouse" Karpik (right) pose at the start of what was to be Scorpion's final and most successful year of racing (1980-81). Later that season, Hulings won the Eagle River World Championship on this beautiful Scorpion SnoPro. The machine featured a deep red tone with charcoal gray across the top. Company marketing photo. Courtesy: Richard Krogstad

Old meets new as an early model Scorpion (circa 1963) is presented to the Cuyuna Range Historical Museum in the old Soo Line Depot building (where it remains on display to this day). From left:Roger Worth Scorpion Industries, Inc. President; Dick Harrison Trail-A-Sled, Inc. co-founder and former Secretary-Treasurer (together with wife Eileen) and Glen Gutzman Trail-A-Sled, Inc. co-founder and former President (seated). Crosby-Ironton Courier

Glenwood, Minn. - A young Scorpion fan enjoys the wide-range of company history presented at Glenwood's 2002 Vintage Snowmobile Rally. One of many such rallies to feature the Scorpion snowmobile, Glenwood brought together a number of rare pieces, including Steve Rothfork's matched-set Sno-Pros, the last known remaining sled from the Alaskan Epic courtesy Ed Webb (rear) and a beautifully restored 1964 cleated-track (center). Successful former Scorpion racer and dealer Les Pinz provided an exceptional oral history of the firm. Much of the event was held inside the beautiful and historic Glenwood Lakeside Ballroom (since lost to fire). Private photo.

Grand Rapids, Minn. - Trail-A-Sled, Inc. co-founder Dick Harrison and wife Eileen receive dual awards at the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame's annual gala this evening. Dick graciously accepted induction into the Hall and also received the Alan Hetteen Award of Merit. Dick's induction program also included moving oral tributes to the firm's other founders, president Glen Gutzman and vice-president Eugene Harrison as. Private photo.

A fascinating two-page Star Tribune article titled Back on Track - Vintage Snowmobile Collection Restores a Legacy, Reunites a Family, fuels renewed interested in the firm's history and designs.

Crosby-Ironton, Minn. - Glen Gutzman, Trail-A-Sled, Inc. co-founder and president prepares to lead a large contingent of Scorpions in Crosby-Ironton's annual Fourth of July parade. Provided by Todd Danelski, Glen's machine is a modified Scorpion with a custom 1970 Mark II hood and a 1971 Mark II chassis. This impressive snowmobile also includes a 1973 Super Stinger Para-Rail suspension and ski configuration.

Crosby-Ironton, Minn. - Trail-A-Sled, Inc.'s two remaining founders, Dick Harrison, secretary-treasurer and Glen Gutzman, president pose for the Cuyuna Country Heritage Preservation Societies upcoming publication Cuyuna Country, A People's History - Volume III. This volume contains a thorough account of the companies history. The firm's third founder, Eugene "Stub" Harrison passed away in 1976. Casually reprising a similar photo taken in 1980, Glen is seated upon a wonderfully restored 1965 model, featuring the firm's patented rubber track and stylish fiberglass body. More than any other, it was this specific model which propelled the firm's extraordinary success. The companies original shop sign, circa 1961, is displayed above.  The sign is titled "Trail-A-Sled Marine," reflecting the firm's early emphasis on innovative fiberglass boat and pontoon designs.

Trail-A-Sled, Inc. co-founder Dick Harrison (left) enjoys a ride with former Scorpion dealer and racer Les Pinz on a Spyder - forerunner to today's ATV. The two enjoyed a ride at the first-ever Scorpion Homecoming, an event that featured nearly 300 Scorpion snowmobiles and drew over 1,000 people to Crosby's Serpent Lake. Private photo.

Trail-A-Sled, Inc. management enjoys the memories at the Cuyuna Range Chamber of Commerce's first-ever Scorpion Homecoming. Pausing for a photograph are (L to R) Dick Harrison - secretary/treasurer, Fran Scott - personnel manager, Glen Gutzman - president. The Homecoming brought together the largest gathering of company management, employees and collectors since the firm closed its doors in March of 1980. Cliff Kittelson - welding manager and racer, Louie & Maridee Smilich - factory representative, Duane & Sharon Putikka - plant manager, and Nunny Vukelich - numerous management positions, were also present. Private photo.

Sporting an Antique Snowmobile Club of America ball cap, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty enjoys are ride atop Steve Pierce's gorgeous 1966 Sears Snowcruiser (manufactured by Trail-A-Sled, Inc.). The Governor was once again attending the MnUSA's annual Rendezvous held in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area. The above photo was taken outside the Driftskippers clubhouse. Steve Pearce is a contributing editor for Iron Dog Tracks (the ASCOA newsletter) and a recent recipient of the ASCOA Distinguished Service Award. See related brochure. Private photo courtesy Dave Johnson & Steve Pierce.

Marvelous weather awaited the nearly 500 people who traveled this day to Crosby, Minnesota to remember the Scorpion Snowmobile. Set along three lengthy rows, 300 Scorpions, Trail-A-Sleds, Bruts, Sears and other Scorpion-manufactured brands were proudly displayed. Fronting the northern row was an original 1960 Trail-A-Sled air-sled. Over 1,000 people attended the entire event which was combined with the Cuyuna Range Chamber of Commerce's annual ice fishing contest. Photo courtesy North Woods Images - All Rights Reserved.

After nearly forty years underground, the Sidewinder reemerges for the 2005 season under the watchful eye of the machine's original co-designer Dick Harrison. A veritable fiberglass boat on skis, the experimental Sidewinder was designed in 1965 by Trail-A-Sled to be a radically one-of-a-kind all-fiberglass wide track. Personal snowmobile of Trail-A-Sled, Inc. co-founder Stub Harrison, this massive machine was mothballed when the firm chose to use steel tunnels for its 1966 line-up of Scorpion snowmobiles. Ironically, the Sidewinder name would reemerge in 1981 for the final Arctic Cat produced Scorpions. Photo courtesy North Woods Images - All Rights Reserved.

For the first time in decades, wheel-kit Scorpions graced the hometown Fourth of July parade where eleven floats joined forces to promote the upcoming Scorpion Homecoming, 2006. Former plant manager Nunny Vukelich (shown above) joined forces with former Scorpion racer and dealer Les Pinz atop two original (and loud) racing machines. Nunny drove a 1970 297cc Sachs modified while Les throttled a 1970 440cc Hirth modified Stinger (with a hood specially built for the 1970 race team). The firm's early air-sleds were also featured along with several former employees. Image courtesy Crosby-Ironton Courier.

Amidst several of his personal creations, Trail-A-Sled, Inc. co-founder Dick Harrison enjoys a marvelous day at Princeton's Outlaw Grass Drags along with daughter Debra and grandson Lee. Private photo.

Photographic highlights of Scorpion Homecoming, 2006. See the Media Recap page for additional details. Photo courtesy North Woods Images - All Rights Reserved.

Photographic highlights of Scorpion Homecoming, 2006. See the Media Recap page for additional details. Photo courtesy North Woods Images - All Rights Reserved.

Photographic highlights of Scorpion Homecoming, 2006. See the Media Recap page for additional details. Photo courtesy North Woods Images - All Rights Reserved.

A large contingent of Scorpion snowmobiles graced Naubinway, Michigan's 14th Annual Antique Snowmobile Show this year. With Scorpion-manufactured brands the featured sled, a large number of persons attended the evening banquet featuring extremely rare Scorpion video footage, courtesy of Randy Harrison. Photo courtesy John McGuirk