- Brother Pete on the 444
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This was one of those rare 503’s where the electric start didn’t work. Wrap the pull cord around the pulley and pull. At that age this was no easy task…I would climb up on the side of the pan an throw myself off with rope in hand….jump up and grab the throttle before it died…I may have got run over a time or two.
Sadly the machine and my brother are gone now but the memories and the love for these machines lives on
I just pick up my uncles 444.
It has rested in his boat house on Georgian Bay for 40+ years on its nose. Uncle Al was in his early 20’s working at All Weather Marine a Husski dealer in Toronto. His Dad, my grandfather lived and trapped in north eastern Georgian Bay Ontario and bought this machine new. My uncle uncrated it and shipped it up by Train. Al moved back and took over the trap line after his dad passed. Miles of bush and beaver ponds the Husski carried my Uncle and his catch home. Al told me stories of fuel cache and trapper cabins, emergency repairs in the bush when I was young. He would say “ lose one grouser and your ok….lose two grousers together and you walking.
Al’s health is not the best lately and I want to resurrect this symbol of place and time…Told him if he is well enough we would do a run back to the homestead.
The picture attached is of my brother Pete sitting on this 444 back in the early 70’s in the same location it had been stored.
Pictures and updates on the restoration to follow.
Big thanks to Bruce and all of you who share the passion.
Chris
