Skip to main content

LOT 106

From the Collection of Glenn C. Gould Jr. c.1940 Bombardier B-7 Seven Passenger Snowmobile Chassis no. 18-5932072

Sold for US$67,200 inc. premium
Lot 106

From the Collection of Glenn C. Gould Jr.
c.1940 Bombardier B-7 Seven Passenger Snowmobile

From the Collection of Glenn C. Gould Jr.
c.1940 Bombardier B-7 Seven Passenger Snowmobile
Chassis no. 18-5932072

221 cu.in Flathead V8 Engine
Approx. 90bhp at 3,800rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission

*Rare surviving example of the original series of Snowmobile
*Long term Museum ownership
*Restored vehicle
*In running order


BOMBARDIER AUTO-NEIGE

As for Karl Benz, who it is said designed his patent motor vehicle that was not beholden to rails after the frustration of losing his father while he was trying to return a locomotive to its tracks, it can be argued that the Bombardier company was built out of tragedy. Founder, Joseph-Armand Bombardier had been unable to get his 2-year old son to a hospital, and he subsequently died from complications of an appendicitis, owing to blizzard conditions and closed roads. An engineer by trade, this inspired him to progress ideas that he had dreamt of a vehicle which in his mind could 'float over the snow'.

The resulting design which conveyed power to any surface by sprockets to tracks, had a capacity of seven passengers, and he named it the B7. A dozen were built in 1937 and they quickly became hot property, with more than 100 orders for them in 1939. From this humble acorn of a business, the Bombardier name that we know to this day as a huge conglomerate was born. Another of their hugely successful products is of course the 'Ski-doo', an amusing anecdote related to which is that its name is attributed to a 'typo' in the painting of the name on it rather than the 'Ski-dog' name it was supposed to have, as their mechanical replacement for a dog-sled!

THE VEHICLE OFFERED

An early example of the 7-seater Bombardier, we take its date from the Flathead Ford fitted, which sits in the 1941 model year sequence. The vehicle is understood to have been in service at a ski resort in period or later prior to its arrival in this collection.

The charismatic 'Auto-Neige' snowmobile is presented in very fine order and was clearly the subject of a restoration prior to acquisition. Much of the woodwork finishes have been renewed, seats refurbished and the engine and running gear appear to have been refurbished also. As such, the vehicle is an exceptionally pleasing and fascinating static exhibit, and an example of a model which is perhaps unknown to most. When acquired, it was in running order and in preparation for the sale, the B7 has been recommissioned and is reported to be driving once again.

Footnotes

Offered on a Bill of Sale

Additional information

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Specialist section

Auction Viewings

  • 19 May 2021, 09:00 - 19:00 EDT
  • 20 May 2021, 09:00 - 13:00 EDT

Bid now on these items

1976 Rolls Royce Corniche
France
Coming soon

1976 Rolls Royce Corniche

€50,000 - €70,000
1935 Jaguar SS 2.5 Saloon
France
Coming soon

1935 Jaguar SS 2.5 Saloon

€40,000 - €60,000
1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal by Bertone
Denmark

1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal by Bertone

DKK450,000 - DKK600,000
1987 Saab 900 Turbo Cabriolet
Denmark

1987 Saab 900 Turbo Cabriolet

DKK275,000 - DKK350,000
1899 Phébus 2¼hp Motor Tricycle
United Kingdom

1899 Phébus 2¼hp Motor Tricycle

£50,000 - £60,000
1910 Brasier 12/18HP 12C Tourer
United KingdomOffered without reserve

1910 Brasier 12/18HP 12C Tourer

£40,000 - £60,000
Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939 c.1902 Progress 9hp Two-Seat Open Tourer
United Kingdom

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939
c.1902 Progress 9hp Two-Seat Open Tourer

£35,000 - £45,000
Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939 c.1903 Baker Electric Two-Seat Runabout
United Kingdom

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939
c.1903 Baker Electric Two-Seat Runabout

£35,000 - £45,000
Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939 c.1903 Darracq 12hp Twin-Cylinder Four-Seat Rear-Entrance Tonneau
United Kingdom

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939
c.1903 Darracq 12hp Twin-Cylinder Four-Seat Rear-Entrance Tonneau

£55,000 - £75,000
Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939 c.1903 Swift 6hp Three-Seater
United Kingdom

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939
c.1903 Swift 6hp Three-Seater

£35,000 - £45,000
1913 Hotchkiss Model AD 20/30 Tourer
United Kingdom

1913 Hotchkiss Model AD 20/30 Tourer

£50,000 - £60,000
1902 Beaufort 8hp Two-Seater Phaeton
United Kingdom

1902 Beaufort 8hp Two-Seater Phaeton

£50,000 - £70,000
1923 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Limousine
United Kingdom

1923 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Limousine

£50,000 - £70,000
c.1901 Gladiator Four-Seat Rear-Entrance Tonneau
United KingdomOffered without reserve

c.1901 Gladiator Four-Seat Rear-Entrance Tonneau

£50,000 - £70,000