1976 Polaris
440 SnoPro Clone
Ladies and gentlemen, gear up for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of snowmobiling history—a meticulously crafted 1976 Polaris SnoPro clone!
With only two authentic factory SnoPros known to exist, this stunning replica, built by Starfire Kids – Midnight Blue Express author Larry Preston, is as close as it gets to the real deal.
Don’t miss your chance to add this rare gem to your collection, a machine that captures the raw power and iconic style of the 1976 racing season. This isn’t just a snowmobile—it’s a time machine that roars with the spirit of vintage SnoPro glory!
Crafted with obsessive attention to detail, Preston poured years of research, rare photographs, and relentless pursuit of authentic parts into this masterpiece around the year 2002, before the two original SnoPros were even discovered.
Every component mirrors the factory team’s legendary 1976 Polaris SnoPros, using the nicest looking components from a variety ot them. Bernat’s seat, Omdahl’s hood design, etc. making this clone a breathtaking tribute to that era.
Bid now and seize the chance to own a near-perfect recreation of a snowmobiling legend—don’t let this dream machine slip away!
The History
After hunting down detailed photos from all over the United States and Canada, and interviewing some of the original Polaris SnoPro team members, Larry Preston hunted down the parts, then got some of the finest help in Minnesota and Wisconsin to help get it together.
Including Larry Rugland himself, you created the masterpiece pipes for the engine.
The machine was finished around 2003. It was never started, and has never been started.
The 1976 season was not a great one for Polaris, mostly because Arctic Cat happened to be having a phenomenal year, and perhaps due to the loss of Larry Rugland and Leroy Lindblad to Ski-Doo, Jim Bernat, Don Omdahl and later in the season, Jerry Bunke, fought like hell for a lot of second places.
The 250, 340 and 440 originally built for Don Omdahl became Jerry Bunke’s for part of the season. Jim Bernat had a 340, a 440 and a unique 440X. So a total of just six ever existed.
After the season, the sleds were mostly torn apart for testing, or shipped off to Michigan for the Enduro teams to try and build something out of for the 1977 season.
As it would happen, Preston finished this sled and then found the 340 of Omdahl and Bunke’s. Almost 20 years later, he found that 440X of Jim Bernats.
He sold this sled to Bob Weaver in New York, a Polaris dealer who was building an great display for his dealership. It was displayed on a shelf, in a warehouse for many years, when Jeff Davis of Michigan bought it, and he displayed it on a shelf with his private collection.
Larry bought it back in 2025, and its been in storage since.
Jeff Davis display in Michigan
Headed back to Minnesota!
One of the rare photos was this pit shot showing the hood off one of Bernat’s sleds – lots of details in this photo if you look close!
Jim Bernat on the starting line, 1976
The sleds were all a little different from each other, and often different from week to week. Note the headlight hole is closed off on this one the same as the one up for auction, and this one has a radiator just sitting out in front!
What's it made of?
• Engine: Genuine 1976 Liquid Kit. Engine by master builder Doug Monson. Light porting to match the cylinders to the case. NOS 440X case.
•Pipes: Hand built Larry Rugland Motorsports (LRM) pipes, made by Larry Rugland for this project.
• Ignition: Does not recall… likely 1976 440 TX ignition
• Chassis: Polaris TX or TX Starfire Chassis, rear close off matched to an original snopro rear close off
• Suspension: 1973 Starfire, shortened, modified and slotted to match the factory team skids.
• Seat: Seats by Conrad. Measurements from Bernat’s 1975 650cc PDC.
• Skis: 1976 Starfire skis
• Track: Lightweight cleated track
• Hood and Pan: Custom made, lightweight pieces made by Master Composites
• The Rest: Gas tank, sump tank, foot loops, handlebar loop, tach mount, all custom made for the project, matching the original pieces for size and weight. Troy Pierce, Jim Haug, and many others helped with the rest of it.
condition
As noted, it has not been started since it was created, and has been sitting for over 20 years indoors.
Noted the brake handle is stuck, and the brake cable coating has rotted away, you can see that in the photos.
The chaincase has a clear coat on it that has yellowed oddly over the years.
Appears to have once been a very slight leak of radiator fluid from the head cover, on the recoil side
It should be driveable if you go through it, lube it up good, clean all the cobwebs out and check the clutches.
Period correct primary and secondary
Mighty 440 Liquid Kit Engine
Drivers view
Terms
Offered on a “buy it now” basis, or on a 30 day auction.
Make Sure You get it - Shippping INcluded - Buy it now!
You can buy it now with a debit or credit card. The shipping will be covered up to $1,000.00, which means it can be shipped (via U-ship.com) pretty much anywhere in the lower 48 states.
Taking the Buy it Now option stops the auction, however some important Terms and Conditions apply.
All sales are final, and all shipping is at your own risk
You have the option to pick it up within a reasonable amount of time, from Scottsdale Arizona, or arrange the shipping yourself, and you will get the $1,000 credit.
30 Day Auction
Here’s the auction process:
- You must be a Qualified Bidder in order to place your bid.
- The Auction will begin with the first Confirmed Bid.
- As Qualified Bidders set or increase their maximum bids, the highest price bid will be increased by $100 or $10 until the highest bidder comes out on top.
- All questions will be answered and additional photos provided (upon request) for Qualified Bidders.
- The auction will end after 30 days, plus 24 hours after the last bid – bidding will continue until it end.
- There is a reserve that will be lifted when it is reached.
- You can increase your highest bid at anytime while the auction is open.
- Winning bid must pay the rest of the winning bid within 72 hours via credit or debit card, check, money order or wire transfer.
- Payment by check or money order will require the funds to clear prior to shipment.
- Failure to pay the remaining balance of your bid within 72 hours will result in the loss of your bid confirmation and the next lowest bidder will have the option to buy if they have surpassed the reserve.
- Paid money is held in escrow until the item is delivered.
- Ff there is a problem with the item after you take delivery, you may request to return it (shipping at your expense) for a full refund.
Important Terms and Conditions apply. Please note by placing a bid, you are entering a binding contract.
All sales are final, and all shipping is at your own risk
Auction Shipping
Winning bidder has the option to pick it up within 30 days.
Otherwise, shipping can be through U-Ship and will cost approximately $700 -$1,000. We have great shippers that are down here about every 3 weeks, so should have it within 1-4 weeks.