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If you don’t know who Andy Avelis is (fat chance of that!), he’s got the premier Arctic Cat collection and display in the world. I first met Andy way back in about 2000, and have been a fan ever since. His wife and his dad all helped him with his passion for Arctic Cat’s, from free-air’s to snopros. Each one restored to perfection and looking better than show-room new.
Andy’s collection contained some of the rarest machines, like prototype King-Kats, a 74 SnoPro, a 75 PDC and whole lot more. His "Playroom" contained an unimaginable amount of NOS parts, motors and memorabilia.
But more importantly, Andy and his family are just great people. Throughout the decade, Andy has been my go-to guy for Cat info and advice. Andy is also responsible for helping me find some of my Polaris sleds, not to mention infecting me with the enthusiasm for collecting.
To my surprise, and many others, Andy put up a classified ad that alls his machines are for sale. Nothings wrong, he’s just realized that the thrill of the hunt for the machines was more fun that owning them and now he’s on to the hunt for some classic cars that have caught his eye.
Andy has asked that the phone calls be kept to a minimum, but I’m sure if you are genuinely interested in one of his machines he’d be happy to hear from you.
Andy, I think I speak for a lot of people when I say me and the hobby are going to miss you. I sure appreciate all that you’ve done to preserve Arctic Cat’s heritage and representing the hobby as a gentleman and scholar.
Best of luck to you my friend… you’ll do great wherever the road leads you.
Take a look at part of Andy’s collection here and his recently finished Cat history display here.
Here’s the full story direct from Andy:
I can’t thank everyone enough for the positive comments. It’s a close group of people in this hobby/sport an I feel I should explain a little more about how and why instead of just dropping a bomb. I am an only child.
My mother died many years ago. My father and I have lived together for 53 years. I grew up with my father as a child at the Chevrolet dealership during the late 50s and throughout the 60s. It was commonplace for my father to come home from the dealership with Corvettes and Camaros. We owned the very first Camaro delivered to New England. We went on to work together in an independent garage during the 70s where I collected and had fun with Corvettes and Camaros throughout that decade. From there I went on to police work while my father kept the garage.
The sleds came after. The sleds were my strong interests but not so much my father’s. My father participated in the restoration of every snowmobile I ever restored and all the shows because he wanted to help me. On last January 20th my father was suddenly stricken with a dissecting aorta. He was also hit with a major stroke during the operation. He was not expected to live. For the next few months, I lived at Boston hospitals and rehab facilities daily. My father did survive, but he is very different now. He did come home and my wife and I try to provide rehabilitation techniques as much as we can.
My fathers abilities are certainly diminished. His interest in sleds waned. I found myself alone restoring sleds. It wasn’t as much fun anymore. What my father did do was talk about and take an interest in my and my wife’s 71 Corvette. The more we spoke about old Chevy times got me more interested in getting another old Chevy. I ended up purchasing a 62 Corvette drag car and set it up for the street. My father stayed with me in the garage as I worked on the car. It was like the way things used to be when we worked on sleds back in the prior years. My wife enjoyed riding in the 62 Corvette so much that she went out and traded the 71 Vette towards a stock 1962 Vette. A few weeks ago my wife stated how she was enjoying the cars more than the old sleds.
Well… I never thought I would sell the sleds before, but it wasn’t just about me. I decided to use the sled money towards the car hobby. I still love the sleds. It’s just that I was the only one enjoying it. It’s best to turn this stuff over to someone that will show it and to let those that are restoring have a shot at the parts. I did my thing.
I have been in many hobbies. Car clubs, truck clubs, snowmobile clubs etc. I was one of three people who started a club called New England SnowFighters that became too big to handle. (Oshkosk, Walter, FWD, Sicard trucks). However there is no question in my mind this was by far the best group of people I’ve ever associated with. I’ve enjoyed it more than you can imagine. What can I say about the Prestons and Carlsleys and all the rest. I’m not gone. I still have an interest and I will frequent the local events for sure. I’ll always be around if someone needs assistance. No need to say good bye!
Andy