Ramblin Roy's Ramblings

February 2003

Ramblin Roy’s Rambling thru the midwinter doldrums. This year is worse than usual due to the lack of snow and cold, leaving overcast skies and brown out landscapes. At the time of this writing, we have yet to be able to celebrate a Minnesota winter. Therefore, I’m going to tell of some ‘ole winter adventures; back when snow drifted in the Midwest burying mailboxes, fences and stranded vehicles.

Mail was delivered by independent mail carries in rural areas come rain or shine, snow and mud. This need to stay in touch with the outside world spawned a generation of vehicles modified to deal with the elements. We saw one of these a couple months ago at Ellingson’s Car Museum and written up in this column. (See photo)

This month we’re going to start a journey through the history of another, The Eskimobile. Later articles will follow the development of the Eskimobile’s off spring, The Sno-Tank and the Stiltmobile. This article journals the life and times of John R. Swansen of Almena, WI and my great uncle.

Beginning with a modified Model “T” with a money back guarantee, the mail delivery motorized buggy that was born out of the necessity quickly became a recreational vehicle. While others focused on developing tracked machines with skis up front for steering, to address the recreational market, with open cockpits and no fenders. Swansen pursued more utilitarian, commercial applications.

 With the introduction of the Model “A”, The Eskimobile came of age as the vehicle of choice by “Rural Letter Carriers, Doctors, Power and Light, Telephone and Utility Company’s.” Those who had to get through regardless of conditions depended on the Eskimobile. Now available with several hand made wooden body styles and easily converted from tracks and skies to pneumatic tires it became “The All-Year Commercial Car.”

Today a small cult have their own “Recreation Club” and a Video, however there are no “T” Shirts, meetings, dues or newsletter. In fact, I’ve only met one member, my second cousin Henry Swansen Jr. Henry, who worked in the factory as a young man and was aptly nick named *”Clutz”, has lovingly restored, the 152nd Model “A” based Eskimobile. Clutz frequently displays his unit, along with a formable picture history and the plaque shown.

 *Clutz is German for “A Block Of Wood” not slang for uncoordinated - Gotcha.

 See Roy’s pictures.

 ...To be continued...

 Roy Boone, Club Columnist