Paul found this special government-ordered CJ-6 with a little extra traction.
According to the website usual locomotion, “Sno-Ball Jeep CJ6 Snowcat, 1956. Contract between Jeep and Sno Ball Corp. created this vehicle to transport crews over deep snow. They were provided to the US Forest Service and the FAA. 20 were built in 1956 and only one is remaining. Tracks are rubber belted and the grousers are in steel. This Sno-Ball Jeep stayed in Colorado and was sold in 2004. The Snowcat used a Jeep engine, transmission and cab in 1956. Original wheels and axles could be mounted back but there was an extra frame lift.”
You can see all kinds of photos of an original Snowcat that appeared on eBay in 2004:
http://boyink.com/cj6/sno-ball-jeep-cj6-snowcat/
That is Bad A&%!
Snow tires or tire chains on a regular jeep would be much more economical…
Very true, Steve.
But- keep in mind who ordered these rigs {tax payer money is no object, even if the tax payer DID object!!} & the “deep snow” spec; flotation being the goal rather digging down to find good traction. At any rate {& any speed} a very cool rig, except the front fenders are a little curvy for my tastes; but I do dig curvy in another application!
I guess there is a rarer Cj-6 than my Perkins powered 6…lol