Original 1970 Bolens Brochure
George Burdick was a Bolens dealer in the late 1960's and early 1970's. He was mostly a lawn and garden tractor dealer that peddled some dirt bikes and chainsaws. When Bolens got into the sled business they forced him to take some snowmobile product to sell. The first batch was the stylish Bolens Hus-ski. Yup, the yellow tractor and sleigh that could crush your knees with the handle bars while rifling over a snow bank. Soon to become the Biablo Rouge, another two piece gem. It wasn't until 1969 that Bolens entered the snowmobile market with a one piece snowmobile design. Based on tractor technology, these sleds held up pretty well with the common engine suppliers of the day like JLO powering these red sleds. As time passed they entered into the market with a 3 cylinder Gutbrod Engine. This engine would start the decline of the Bolens snowmobile. As a last ditch effort, Bolens paired with Karl Kiekhaefer in 1972. Karl designed a 440 cc, twin cylinder, CDI ignition engine that produced over 40 hp. This seemed to be Bolen's ticket to success. However, the Gutbrod engine had been too big a burden and Bolens exited the snowmobile market that year, never to return again. Rumors are that Bombardier nearly purchased the Kiekhaefer engine, but ended up continuing the relationship with Rotax. Emagine a brand new Bombardier REV powered by a Kiekhaefer Aero Marine Engine................
