A Blast from the Past: The 1997 Arctic Cat Puma
Roll back the clock to 1997—a time of neon colors and questionable fashion choices. Enter the Arctic Cat Puma, a snowmobile that seems to have skipped two and a half decades, lounging comfortably in storage before the seller scooped it up in 2023. Cloaked in flamboyant purple and green, paired with a classic black vinyl seat, under its hood lies a roaring 339cc two-stroke engine, complete with a centrifugal clutch and a continuously-variable transmission. Fancy terms aside, it’s a beauty dressed to impress, flaunting a headlight here, a taillight there, skis with loops, and of course, the ever-essential curved windscreen. The double-wishbone front suspension and gas shocks promise a ride cushioned just as much as your dignity when you fall. Presented in Missouri, this Puma is up for grabs without reserve—off-road use only—and you’re getting it with all the trimmings: tool kit, cover, battery (carefully removed), and a classic bill of sale.
The Legacy: Arctic Cat and Puma Models
Since Arctic Cat’s inception in 1960, the brand has become synonymous with rugged, robust snowmobiles. The Puma series, birthing in 1970, is where they set design on fleek. Our model here, resplendent in purple and green, doesn’t just stop at being easy on the eyes. It’s functional, too, with headlights and taillights, a curvaceous plexiglass windscreen, snow flap, and enviably sturdy aluminum foot rails. They had it all figured out in a way that makes you question modern innovation.
Dynamic Design: Skiing on Snow
This snowmobile comes fitted with two skis, each laced with loops for a snug fit and a steady ride. Up front and rear, you’ll find double front A-arms and triple gas shocks, ensuring that the landscape’s bumps become mere whispers, as you glide over the snow like a seasoned pro.
Operator’s Station: Future Classics at Your Fingertips
No retro ride is complete without a peek at the operator’s station. Tuck yourself into that inviting black vinyl seat, glance over the black handlebar perched before the 100-mph speedometer, and behold a panel of controls: a keyed ignition, headlight switch, choke, throttle, and a brake lever. The five-digit odometer—a trivia piece for pub quizzes—whispers secrets of less than one mile in adventures undertaken.
Engine Details: Power Under the Hood
Lurking inside, the Suzuki-engineered 339cc two-stroke single is an ode to mechanical prowess. Sporting a Mikuni VM32 carburetor, oil injection, and electronic ignition, with an electric starter to boot, it’s an engine setup that thrills. The battery has received a fresh lease of life, primed for the next owner’s adventures.
Bringing it All Together: Bells and Whistles
In a world of needlessly complicated gadgets, the Arctic Cat Puma keeps it clean—sending power to the rubber drive track via a sophisticated centrifugal clutch and continuously-variable transmission. Save the techno-babble, it’s all about that smooth, responsive ride.
You’re not just purchasing a snowmobile; it’s a package deal. Included are a tool kit for the tinkerers, a protective cover to keep those bold colors crisp, and the removed battery. Did we mention it comes with only a bill of sale? A little inconvenience for a lot of history.