1982 Arctic Cat Jag prototype

This is a hand-built pre-production snowmobile that was to become the 1982 Jag model. This model had been entirely redesigned and is very different from the popular Jag models that had been offered from 1975 thru 1981. All-new chassis, rear suspension, belly pan, hood, seat, etc were all to debut on this had it been released. It was to be Arctics first production model with a direct drive system (no chain case). This does survive today with an original-type 440 fan-cooled engine with oil injection. The unusual rear suspension is in place and a 116" rubber track. We bought this in 1998 out of the back lot of Corner Sports near Blackduck MN, they had purchased it out of Arctic Salvage dept many years prior. Full instrumentation is in place but the speedometer may not have been hooked up as it only shows 2 miles on the odometer and that seems unlikely. It still bears number "P 25" on the side of the tunnel from it's early days at Arctic Enterprises. Original notes exist showing this unit P 25 was a test unit for "engine test", but, on the same note is hand written "82 Puma" which only further illustrates the ever-evolving development of the Jag and Puma models between about 1979-1981. The same document shows 4 other units besides this one, for a total of 5...this might be evidence of the total number of this model built, or there could be others. No vin on this sled ever. This sled is featured on page 120 of the book 50 Years of the Cat, by John Sandberg.