“What’s in a Number.” – Jim Dimmerman PT.1

A little preface to my RXL story, “What’s In A Number.”

I own Jerry Bunke’s 78 440X RXL, well, kinda sorta!  If you believe in paperwork, photos, and a little bit of conjecture, if you believe that a serial # is the true DNA of a machine, I have a compelling story to share.. But wait till the end for the smoking gun..

”What’s In A Number “ the idea for a story began all because of a number! 

My research was in an effort to track the ownership of this special numbered chassis. 

The serial number *0418530* corresponds to a one-off, oval track racing snowmobile. It was built by Polaris in 1978.

Months of research and dozens of phone calls, the fun part came with my reconnecting with a number of my Polaris factory friends. My surprise phone call with whoever was on the other end became hour long conversations! We enjoyed catching up with our personal lives, and each of them had a special story during that time to share with me. Often some personal one’s not written in any book. Some I can share with you, and a few were just for me. 

 After hours on the phone, I felt the focus of my story was changing; it was becoming more about what special part of history these important people played, far more interesting than about the number.  Honestly, the Polaris Starfire story should have been written by one of these players.. I believe the best stories are ones that you have lived.. 

 My story is a people story!  I need to thank ALL of my Polaris friends.  You gave me your time and honesty, reliving a small part of our shared history. Your piece of the story. Thank you for the connection..These guys were all teeth in a large gear. Only do you realize how big that gear is until you put it on paper..

Ray, Greg, Jim, Arlyn, Burt, Brad, Troy, JoMar, Carolyn, Gabe, and TJ Patrick …..Doug Lamm,(mechanic, Carl Hoffman and Tim Seydel (on behalf of Art Seydel) 

Sadly, I’m missing two people. The very two that could have answered all my questions.

Bob Eastman and Jerry Bunke himself..

I’m very fortunate that my racing career brought me close to these people.

I’m honored to call all of you my friends!   Jim

 Part1

Just about everything we own has a serial number, especially if it has an engine powering it.

Your snowmobile certainly does. Many of you have never looked at it or even know where it is exactly. It’s on the tunnel, your sitting on it!  In the beginnings of Arctic Cat, they used a small 2×2 aluminum tag with the model and serial # sequence stamped into it. It was simply pop-riveted on with 4 small rivets. Some models evolved with both the stamp plate AND a deep stamped matching number into the aluminum tunnel itself. It was done with a hammer punch or punch press..

The tunnel stamping became the chosen permanent method. Tags could be removed and replaced, but the tunnel stamp number was there for keeps..

In the early 70’s, manufacturers were making thousands and thousands of these machines, and records needed to be kept.

On the assembly line at Arctic Cat, the very first step at the beginning of the line was the serial number stamping process. The life of the machine began when that number was pressed in.  Around 2000, the stamping process evolved into a digital etching, or a small dot-like pixel, etching a number permanently into the aluminum tunnel.

These typical serial numbers can mean the year built, motor, color, suspension, electric start, reverse, track type, and running sequence of quantity.

A complete history of that serial for life!

So much more to come in the next segments. Stay tuned