Zamboni Research Archives

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Some Zamboni Articles with Photos

• CATEGORIES: Old Images, Old News Articles • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The threes article and photos appeared over a series of years. Each shows a different model of the Zamboni Ice Resurfacer. You can learn more about the jeep-chassis models in this post.

MODEL E CJ-3B Version: Based on the ice-delivery-chain-system design on the front, I’d say this is a CJ-3B version of Model E. You can learn more about the CJ-3B versions here.

1956-12-09-boston-sunday-globe-zamboni-article-lores

December 09, 1956, Boston Sunday Globe.

MODEL E CJ-5 Version: This model was the last one to include the jeep body, in this case a CJ-5 body.

1955-03-09-the-gazette-montreal-canada-zamboni-article-lores

March 09, 1955, The Gazette out of Montreal, Canada.

MODEL F: This photo and caption shows a good example of the final jeep-related Zamoni Ice Resurfacer.

1957-12-06-the-record-argus-greenville-pa-zamboni-article-lores

December 06, 1957, The Record-Argus out of Greenville, Pennsylvania.

 
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Smithsonian Article on the Zamboni Company

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I suppose the timing of this article is appropriate, given those of us in the north half of the blue ball are plunging into winter quickly (at least the weather in Washington State feels wintery), as a recent Smithsonian Magazine article on the Zamboni Company featured several photos I hadn’t seen of Jeep-based Zamboni vehicles. Here’s the article: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-zamboni-changed-game-ice-rinks-180973352/

The article also included this ad featuring the CJ-3B as Model D from the Zamboni Company’s archives:

zamboni-ice-resurfacer-ad-lores

If you are not familiar with the use of jeeps as early Zambonis, check out my post about the various jeep models that were used for which Zamboni machines. The CJ-3B Page also has background information about the Zamboni Ice Resurfacers.

If you really like pics of Zamboni machines, check out the Zamboni: The Coolest Machines on Ice.

zamboni-coolest-book

 
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1959 Zamboni FH Wilmington, NY **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ5, Features, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: SOLD. Was $750.

This is a unique item that Roger Martin spotted. If you are a CJ-5 collector, you probably don’t own a CJ-5 chassis sporting an original Frank Zamboni-created Model FH!

“This is a 1959 FH model zamboni built by Frank Zamboni himself. The serial number is FH197 less than 20 of these were ever built. It is the high capacity model designed for outdoor ice rinks. It needs a complete restoration it’s built on a Jeep cj5 frame and Jeep 4cyl concerted to propane. It was running and being used in Lake Placid up until about 6 years ago when a new machine was purchased. At that time this one started to be stripped down to restore bc it’s such a fascinating piece of history, but have run out of time to put into it. I am going to put the listing up for 7 days no reasonable offer will be refused”

1959-zamboni-fh-wilmington-ny2 1959-zamboni-fh-wilmington-ny3 1959-zamboni-fh-wilmington-ny4 1959-zamboni-fh-wilmington-ny5 1959-zamboni-fh-wilmington-ny6 1959-zamboni-fh-wilmington-ny7 1959-zamboni-fh-wilmington-ny8 1959-zamboni-fh-wilmington-ny9

 
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CJ-3A(?) Chassis Wilmot, NH $2500

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3A • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Still Available.

(10/23/2018) Travis spotted this one. According to the seller, it was formerly a Zamboni Ice Resurfacer chassis.

https://nh.craigslist.org/pts/d/willys-chassis/6728407807.html

“Selling a Willys Chassis
New brakes- was used as a Zamboni
Never been on the road
Asking $2500”

cj3a-chassis-zamboni-nh1 cj3a-chassis-zamboni-nh2

 
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Zamboni HD Minneapolis, MN **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE **SOLD** Was $3500.

This model still has some jeep parts on it. You can learn more about Zamboni Ice Resurfacers & Willys here.

“I have a model HD zamboni for sale. It is gas engine with only 2,000 hrs on the meter. Runs and looks good. Ideal for club rink, outdoor rink, city rink. Has Willy’s Jeep parts used throughout that have had very little exposure to outdoor elements. Came out of Kemper arena in Kansas City, MO.”

zamboni-HD-model-mn1 zamboni-HD-model-mn2

 
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Zamboni® Ice Resurfacers & the Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Museums • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: We had a busy, long weekend, Normal updates resume on Tuesday morning. In the meantime, here’s a rerun from 2010.

Eureka, Utah is a very small town.  I imagine it was even smaller when Frank Zamboni was born in 1901.  From those humble beginnings, Frank grew up to create one of the most iconic service vehicles ever:  The Zamboni® Ice Resurfacer.  I’m not sure why they have entered the public’s imagination in the way they have, but if you say Zamboni®, people know what the vehicle does.

In fact, the Frank J. Zamboni company is legitimately concerned about the name Zamboni® passing from being a description of an Ice Surfacer into a noun, which can spell death for a Trademark.  You’ll note on the website that Zamboni® is quickly followed by Ice Surfacer for that specific reason.  In addition, there’s an extensive discussion of the Zamboni® trademark here.

By now, you are probably asking yourself what all this has to do with jeeps? For about 7 years, from 1942 through 1949, Frank Zamboni attempted a variety of experiments to create a good ice resurfacer, mostly using different Jeep models. Below is a summary of the Zamboni® history from the company’s website coupled with pics I’ve found all over the web.  The CJ-3B Page also has some information.

  1. Model A was Frank’s prototype ice re-surfacer.  In 1949, he built the model below (which has been restored and still exists at Paramount Iceland in California):

2. Model B introduced the jeep to ice surfacing.  In 1950, apparently Frank decided he needed something more portable, so he came up with Model B, which used a War Surplus Jeep (I’m assuming MB?).  If you look closely below, you can see Frank connected a U joint to the steering column and then added another steering rod so that you could steer from behind the jeep.  According to the Frank J. Zamboni Corp:

In 1950, Olympic skating star Sonja Henie’s traveling ice show was practicing at Paramount Iceland, and she saw the Model A in action. She had to have one and asked Frank if he could build one in time for an upcoming Chicago performance. The deadline was tough, but Frank worked day and night, then loaded all of the resurfacer parts into a U-Haul® trailer. He towed the trailer to Chicago behind the Jeep he would install the parts on and assembled the Model B there.

Continue reading

 
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1953 Article About New Jeep Uses

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images, Old Images Jeeping • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The Toledo Blade published this story November 27, 1953. I wish the photos were better. Interestingly, the article doesn’t mention the Zamboni name at all.

1953-11-27-toledo-blade-new-jeep-uses

 
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1964 Zamboni Ice Resurfacer Warren, ME **SOLD*

• CATEGORIES: Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1795.

Glenn found this rare item. I don’t know much about the V4s that power these rigs.Might be an interesting motor to check out.  I can’t tell if this is a variant of the Model F or a Model G. You can learn more about the Zamboni/jeep relationship here.

“1964 Zamboni ice-resurfacer, needs TLC, runs, goes, manuals included. These machines were made on a Jeep running gear. Dana front and rears, 3 speed manual with spicer transfer case, drive shafts etc. Will consider parting out if sale of whole machine doesn’t take place. Has V-4 air cooled motor that runs great and has propane setup. Would make a great lumber mill power plant.”

1964-zomboni-warren-me0 1964-zomboni-warren-me00 1964-zomboni-warren-me1

Continue reading

 
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Zamboni Model 67FZ1-1X Oroville, WA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Sold. Was on eBay.

This has a few jeeps parts and many more non jeep parts.

“It was used up to the point of having one cylider run rough; then the unit was replaced with another used Zamboni of newer vintage. This unit fits into the 1964 to 1969 HD and HDA catagory of Zambonis . most of us remember these at the ice rinks when we were alot younger.

This is the familiar looking unit that most NHL ICE rinks had back in the 60’s and 70’s. This would be a fantastic unit for promotion / parade / or for your local ice rink once motor repaired.

This unit has the air-cooled 4 cylinder Wisconsin VH4D engine. The motor is tired on one cylinder , it does run,it was last run in december 2011. It does have the 5 bolt wheel jeep cj5 diffs, but is the 1964 up non jeep framed type Zamboni . It has the 3 speed manual transmission (Jeep FC 150) , It has 4 studded tires. it rolls and steers properly.

It has been used up to recently at the Keremeos BC ice rink, with former use at the Osoyoos BC rink.”

zamboni-model-67fz11x-oroville-wa

 
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Zamboni Ice Resurfacer Livermore, CA eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Unusual • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This Zambonia Ice Resurfacer is old enough to be built on a jeep frame.

“We have a used Zamboni that needs a new home.  In good used  condition,  4wd jeep frame with 1600 VW engine.    Located in Livermore CA….  may trade for WWII Stuff.”

View all the information on eBay

 
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Zamboni: The Coolest Machine on the Ice Book

• CATEGORIES: Books, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: This is back on eBay.  Initial bid is $6.99.

I purchased a copy of this book. There are some good pictures and stories of the jeeps used to make the first few Zamboni Ice Resurfacers.  If you haven’t seen it, here’s my post about the Zamboni Ice Resurfacer.

 
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The Oscar Meyer FC?

• CATEGORIES: News • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The jeep platform has been used for a variety of different projects, including multiple versions of the Zamboni Ice Re-surfacer.  But, I didn’t know that in 1958 the famous Oscar Meyer vehicle was built from a 1958 FC-150.  I guess that didn’t work so well, as they didn’t do it again based on the info I’ve found.

I wish I had pics of this, but I haven’t seen any.  You can learn more about the Wiener Jeep here and at the CJ-3B Page (scroll down on the page).