1975 Polar Bear snowmobile, Prowler model. 295 cc.

Photo taken at the 2002 Eagle River Reunion, in Eagle River, WI.

The Polar Bear Snowmobile History

The Polar Bear snowmobile  was manufactured by Raybon Manufacturing in Wallingford, Connecticut.  Company owner, Ray Bonell, operated a machine shop and fabrication business when he decided to jump into the thriving snowmobile industry of the early 1970s.

The Polar Bear snowmobiles were produced from 1971 until 1977. Manufacturing their own all aluminum frame chassis, riveted and welded for extra strength, and fiberglass components, Raybon Manufacturing purchased skis, fuel tanks, engines, tracks and clutches to assemble the sleds. The superior ride of the Polar Bear was due to a suspension utilizing a patented torsion bar with 12 bogie wheels and 2 take-up bogies for track adjustment. Approximately 500 sleds were distributed to dealers in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, and  Michigan.