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Manufactured by Alouette by Featherweight Corporation of
Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The 1971 Big Al was not a production line vehicle, but one
of the extravagant and short-lived machines built by
manufacturers to promote their company through
rapid-acceleration competitions. It joined the ranks of
models named Boss Cat by Arctic Cat, the Sno Pony
Challenger, OMC Pegasus, and Bombardier’s X4R.
Unlike other extravagant vehicles, the Big Al was made
mostly of Featherweight production parts used in its regular
snowmobiles. Its originality stems from how these components
were combined.
Other features
Body made from two Alouette Big Bird tunnels equipped with
45.75 cm (18 in.) centrally driven tracks.
Rack-and-pinion steering with adjustable front deflector and
rear spoiler.
Carburetors synchronized with a hydraulic pedal.
Two Hurst Air Heart hydraulic disk brakes.
Uncharacteristic
features
3.6 metre dragster-style parachute.
Two stainless steel gas tanks that could be jettisoned.
Formula extinguisher that automatically put out flames.
Complete series of aeronautic-style luminous dials.
Communication helmet with integrated transmitter for the
pilot.
Drag-reinforced acceleration seat.
Roll bars.
Aerodynamic, plastic-coated skis.
Note: The Big Al snowmobile was designed to reach speeds of
up to 300 km/h. It never saw the racetrack, however: it was
released as the energy crisis hit, knocking out snowmobile
demand.
The Big Al snowmobile was designed by George Barris and Dick
Kraft. |
