Rick Stockey is the proud owner of our first consumer Rarebird. This baby is a 1973 Ski-Doo Elite, with the distinction of being the very first one ever made. That's right - serial number 1!

Rick bought in Northfield, Minnesota in 1999 or 2000. It was part of a deal with the previous owner that included a car. Rick and the previous owner were well aware of the rarity of such a sled, and so both enjoyed a darn good trade.

It has had minor touch ups done to it, but is still in original condition. This original Elite is powered by a 28 horse 440 fan cooled motor with Tillotsen carbs. it has two Olympic tracks, is 103' long, 44" wide and weighs in at a smokin' 682 pounds.

In 2003 Ski-Doo requested that Rick bring the sled to the Earl Brown Center, just North of the Twin Cities, for special display featuring Ricks #1 sled, and the prototype it was made from. It was a special day Rick will never forget. "It was just really neat that they [Ski-Doo] called me and asked to have it brought up for the show. It was a lot of fun".

Rick has driven the sled several times and very much enjoys the ride. "It has a top speed of about 45 miles per hour. It rides very nice on the trail and is big enough to bring a buddy and some beverages. It's a strange ride also, because you feel like you are in a little car riding in the ditch!"

All good things must come to and end and Rick says his time with the Elite has reached a milestone. "I've had it for almost 7 years, I've certainly enjoyed owning such a rare sled, but it does take up a lot of room, and I'll beet some one else at this point would really love to have it". So after an "Elite" relationship, Rick is letting her go to a new home.

This is the first entry into a new catagory of Rarebirds - Rare consumer sleds. We are still working on the criteria for what qualifies as a rare consumer (non race sled). But anything that was first off the line, I think, certainly qualifies.