Mini Trac - The Amazing Tracked Mini Built for Antarctica

[@ObscuraGrey]

You honestly make little things like this endlessly interesting. Don't ever stop making videos about quirky stuff you like, it really shows in the product.

[@CalumRaasay]

Thanks! Always a pleasure.

[@therallyguy1]

Agree!

[@SuperchargedSupercharged]

@@CalumRaasay yes please keep this stuff coming, loved Harkavonka I think it was called

[@mycrazylifewfawnlisette3582]

Definitely agree!!

[@o.k.productions5202]

don't you mean "Mini-things", also agree

[@darkangeljas]

When you first mentioned that it was an Australian creation, my immediate thought was, "Haha! Yeah! That's some Aussie Mad Max vehicle mashup right there!", only for it to come full circle at the end when you said its creator also worked on the movies cars. Feelin' some true blue Aussie pride after watching this amazing vid.

[@adventure3214]

I swear the the best improvisors in the world ended up in Australia. Mix that with the locals, whod been making what they needed for quite a few years... no wonder they good at invention.

[@CalumRaasay]

Thanks for tuning into another episode of "what will I mispronounce today". Had a blast making and drawing this, lets go find what happened to those mini tracs!

[@GreenTheScreen123]

Dr. Mr calum I know where the yellow maybe mini track is the owner is a 72 year old man who has it rusting away in Manitoba moose jaw I've asked him and yes it's the same one I've got no more info on it unfortunately but I hope this helps somewhat

[@maxman1244]

@@GreenTheScreen123 in Manitoba or in Moosejaw? My brother lives in Moosejaw and I'm in Manitoba, would love to find out more about this

[@GreenTheScreen123]

@@maxman1244 like I said I have no more info and I don't want to put our life's ar risk because of covid you best believe when it's over I'll ask him to film a short interview about the mini track

[@RandomSime]

Hotham is pronounced hoth'm, despite my schoolyard attempts to name it Hot-ham. -Sincerely, a Melbournian.

[@CalumRaasay]

@@RandomSime noted!

[@theproceedings4050]

Dude, you could make a career out of these documentaries,they beat the hell out of any others I've ever seen.

[@AFriendlyTheo]

the style reminds me of Qxir, Mustard, and Wendover Prod.'s.

[@ArmpitStudios]

They're miles ahead of modern docs that show the same 3 images/clips every 5 seconds, use incredibly annoying, over dramatic orchestral music created by one guy on a computer who loves using industrial *clangs* in place of actual drums, and use the same off-angle "interview" techniques featuring enthusiastic actors pretending to be historians (not to mention the one military "expert" who used to be a man but is now a creepy looking/sounding "woman").

[@bennylofgren3208]

@@ArmpitStudios Who are you referring to?

[@ArmpitStudios]

@@bennylofgren3208 I don’t know its name because I refuse to watch the “history” shows it’s on.

[@bennylofgren3208]

@@ArmpitStudios Do you know the name of the show?

[@CarburetorThompson]

Awesome job. It's inspiring when youtubers really do a proper job on their research.

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you! Ian White who did the original research deserves most of the credit though, he did an incredible job!

[@bennions89]

I really like that you show both metric and imperial units on screen. It’s really handy especially for less common units like PSI!

[@CalumRaasay]

Yeah I always mix between the imperial and metric so I figure it might be handy to others!

[@WojciechP915]

How can you visualize pressure in something other than PSI?

[@metallicman711]

​@@WojciechP915 pascalls or bars

[@bennylofgren3208]

@@WojciechP915 How can you visualize it in PSI? :) I have no reference whatsoever to what that means. Pounds per square inch? That intuitively tells me absolutely nothing...

[@martinhills6859]

@@metallicman711 This aging Canadian is metricified as far as centigrade goes but all else is imperial. Pascals and bars may as well be Latin to me.

[@PauloGarcia-sp5ws]

The Volkswagen beetles in Antarctica made me smile. They look so out of place. Never gets old watching you talk about Antarctic transportation.

[@jfu5222]

With next to no heat or defrost they suck in Minnesota, I can't imagine how terrible they would be in Antarctica!

[@TheKurtkapan34]

@@jfu5222 add an external heater and they are glorious still

[@richardprice5978]

@@jfu5222 doesn't the engine do well around town aka short or stop and go shopping 🛒? as you don't really have to wight for the engine to warmered up or have problems with water

[@benjaminbuljevic7977]

@@richardprice5978 it still takes a moment to warm up

[@richardprice5978]

@@benjaminbuljevic7977 still a faster warming up period than water 🚿engines/are happyer ( and better 🤔 / quick tips/cycle time's or at least to me seems to be ) in cooler climate's. FWI never owned any VW bugs or porshas ect. car's 🤷‍♂ 🤔 so im not the best for ownership questions but did have a motorcycle/other thing's that was air-cooled but that makes me a ammeter 👨‍🔧 as i don't have enough experience with air fined ( or airo like a licoming/continent's ) engines to know all the in's and outs / operating parameters of mr.fin ( miss water 🚿i knowledge is much better as most / me professional auto-mechanics see them more often ) . as a jokester my BB v8's don't like being air-cooled only 😂10-out of 10 don't recommend it 😂

[@rich3633]

These mini documentaries of yours (no pun intended) are brilliant. I find it fascinating that a normal working bloke puts these great pieces together, for a hobby, that so many people can enjoy. Quite inspiring i must say. Very interesting, thanks.

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you Rich! It’s a really great creative outlet and one that has really surprised me by just how many folk have enjoyed it! Can’t wait to make more. With us used that mini-documentary pun in the video now though...

[@ianstar7]

Well said Rich...

[@joystix11]

"The Canadian outback" I'm using this phrase from now on.

[@robertsoar8362]

The "Ootback" surelky?

[@paveloleynikov4715]

Living in harsh climate i could suspect that biggest mechanical problem was mini's body expansion from men trying to fit inside that cutesy thing in full winter gear.

[@michaelpettersson4919]

I am almost two meters tall, I can relate to that.

[@bradyb2482]

Please keep your research coming - love the snow cruiser docs esp. Suggest history of biathlon?

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you! I'll try to keep folks guessing on what I'm working on next, I swear it's not always Antarctic vehicles!

[@alanlansdell7533]

Would love to see a photo of 4 scientists in full Antarctic cold weather clothing stuffed into the mini. Thanks for another great video.

[@SergeiKotikov]

Hey, you fixed the Kharkovchanka pronounciation! Cheers from a Russian extreme cold vehicles fan!

[@CalumRaasay]

Knew I’d get there one day 😅

[@8Dbaybled8D]

THIS is the content I came for, weird vehicles, engineer drawings, mad inventors

[@davidf2281]

Great stuff; would love to see more of your research on obscure snow vehicles and also the story of your beautiful-looking tractor!

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you! Keen to do more- plenty to come!

[@themagnushjort]

It looks very much like a Ferguson TE20. I only know that because I live a kilometer away from a tractor musem that has like 10 of them at it.

[@covenantor663]

Your footage of you wi’ your wee grey Fergie at the end brings back memories of my own dad’s wee grey Fergie on the farm and the stories he would tell. As a youngster working for his father, the first tractor he worked with was a Fordson - 4mph, that was it!!! Then his father bought a Fergie! 25mph - my father thought he was in heaven!!! We emigrated to Australia when I was 5 and for the first 5 years we had a normal petrol Fergie. Afterwards we moved to Queensland where the farm he bought had a dual fuel Fergie - petrol/kerosene! It was started on petrol then run for the rest of the time on the cheaper kerosene. However for heavy work like plowing it would be switched back to petrol. My cousin’s husband had a book put out by Ferguson on the 50th(?) anniversary of their founding. One interesting fact was they wanted to exhibit the tractor in Kelvin Hall, but were refused at first because the administrators didn’t want oil on their wooden floors. Ferguson got around that by draining the tractor of oil and flushing it out. So they drove it into the hall completely devoid of oil and likewise back out when the exhibition was over. They took the engine apart to see if there had been any damage done to it, but could not see any discernible wear at all !!! I believe they even developed one to run on olive oil for their Middle East market.

[@malaudisa]

Totally cool video Calum... I might actually build one in miniature, it shouldn't be too difficult to modify an existing kit. Also love that the 3rd vehicle could still be in use in Canada, where I live. Thanks, I love these weird arctic ATVs!

[@CalumRaasay]

Fantastic! Do get in contact if you ever make one, I fancy making one myself!

[@thewataville]

Hi Calum, just wanted to say that I've been a longtime fan since you made the Mindcrack animations and made the small but fun Minecraft let's play series. Actually I used to left questions for your minecraft let's play when I was kid and complain that I wouldn't have internet access to watch your videos when going to Lapland haha. It's great to see how you have managed to use your creativity and skills to create all these informative and well-edited documentaries! Thanks for producing these, It's so interesting what humans are capable to engineer when they need something to survive in harsh environments. Greetings from Finland, there's a ton of snow here this year and it looks beautiful.

[@CalumRaasay]

I remember you very well, provided you’ve not changed that profile picture. It’s great seeing and hearing folks now that I’ve been doing this a decade (!) Luckily my old videos are just unlisted so they don’t clog up the channel. That way I can still watch for the nostalgia!

[@coscorrodrift]

Absolutely brilliant video once again dude. Love seeing these projects of passion, props to Watto and Ian for doing the research and collecting those pictures, etc, and being open about it, and to you for publishing the story, and adding your touch. this type of work coming out of some niche curiosity and going on rabbit holes, etc is lovely to watch.

[@stuartbn3152]

There was definitely one of these track systems that had been put onto a VW limo. It used to take people up to the super swanky resort in the snow beyond Mt Perisher. We always wondered the story behind it. Makes so much sense now though. It was pretty much like a bus. Circa 2005.

[@NeutralGenericUser]

You are awesome! I love your videos and how humble you are when crediting the other authors and (under) crediting yourself. Your work is amazing and I can't wait to see more of your well researched videos! Thanks again for making these!

[@davem.7141]

My brother owned a '61 Mini Minor Station Wagon (woodie) in the mid 60s. Indeed that 850 engine didn't have much power, and easily overheated. It was one of the first transverse engine configurations I'd ever seen. Amazing they made a Mini-Trac out of it. Wow, thank you for sharing this Calum and all research that went into it!

[@bigk2897]

Awesome as always, can't get enough of these videos about the engineering challenges for early exploration.

[@888johnmac]

what a cool ( sorry ) wee thing .. i can only imagine those 60's explorers looking at it & smiling .. and as always Calum's research is in-depth & interesting

[@ianmacfarlane1241]

Fantastic Calum - absolutely love your enthusiasm, presentation style and content. Another brilliantly researched and enjoyable short documentary.

[@goldenpun5592]

considering the overheating problems the beetle's air cooled engines had I bet they were very happy with their antarctic conditions.

[@schweglerd]

I just found your channel and am genuinely excited to dive into your catalog of videos. Great stuff!

[@felixcat9318]

What a lovely, interesting, informative and entertaining video on this truly unique vehicle. I particularly enjoyed the superb artistry of the pencil drawing, and could very happily watch entire videos of this wonderful artist bringing vehicles to life, at least on paper.

[@_autoverse]

I appreciate the time you’ve taken at the end to give full credit to those who’d done the research that enabled you to make your vid. Also the illustration that you drew drawing the vid was rather cool, helped to capture attention and stopped it being just a video essay.

[@jjskn93]

I'm so glad you decided to follow up the ATTs and Charkovchankas. These vids r beyond interesting. Can't wait for the next.

[@CalumRaasay]

Thanks! Been keen to get more made whenever I get the right time or subject!

[@aria8928]

the Canadian outback... I've never considered us as having an outback, but I love it.

[@xtreker15]

makes sense

[@dawsonreum8096]

Well, an outback can be defined as a remote area with a little population. Obviously, most people only refer to Australia, but many places in Canada can fit this description

[@medea27]

Well the Aussie outback is basically desert & scrublands, so in Canada it could be the tundra.... a frozen outback! ❄

[@oligould8575]

those little minis are such a loveable little car... I can only imagine the smile the drivers must've had on their faces when jumping in one of these

[@williamchamberlain2263]

Have you ever seen a short-wheelbase mini?

[@oligould8575]

@@williamchamberlain2263 I thought you were nuts when you said “short wheelbase mini”… I thought the mini was about as short of a wheelbase as you could get… then I googled it… those mini minis must be the cutest car ever made… though I’d look ridiculous driving one as I’m quite a tall guy 😂

[@williamchamberlain2263]

@@oligould8575 no kidding I saw a 6' guy get into one at a petrol station near London a couple of decades ago. Couldn't believe the car _or_ the driver.

[@marcuscameron4142]

Thank you Calum great video. I'm reminded of being shown the rusted remains of a tractor/ sledge in a stony gully high up on a Borders sheep farm- I was informed it was being trialled for Antarctica - I'm afraid its a while ago and I cant recall any more detail!

[@CalumRaasay]

Interesting! I imagine there was actually a fair number of experimental vehicles that were tested over the years. I'd love to find more!

[@wmden1]

Thanks. Very interesting video and very professionally narrated. The first thing I thought, when I saw the mini, with tracks, was; I hope they beefed up the clutch and drive train, and geared it somewhat lower. If the designer had done that, there is no telling how successful, useful, and popular it might have become, with the larger engine in it. The way it was steered, the brakes would have needed thicker, more durable shoes, and thicker drums, also. It was a great idea. It just needed a little more thought about the conditions of use, and the added strain on the drive train of the tracks, deep snow, and the brake steering.

[@CalumRaasay]

Yeah I think probably fine and money constraints, as usual, really did in the Mini trac but as a first attempt it wasn’t too bad- I also think with the resources someone could probably build a replica without that much difficulty!

[@chrisball6305]

Very well put together video. Ive done a lot of research on the 4 Aussie Antarctic Beetles, but have always wanted to know more about the mini-trac as well, and now I do!

[@arapahoetactical7749]

Outstanding Job! I used to work for the US Antarctic Program and have been on Ice several times and I love the odd vehicles in use and that have been used down there. This is the first I'd heard of these amazing little mini's.

[@CalumRaasay]

Oh amazing! I think the US probably has some of the best old equiptment lying around just because of how much they took out there!

[@GF_Baltar]

Great video - your enthusiasm for uncovering these obscure bits of history is truly infectious!

[@CalumRaasay]

Haha thank you! It’s always fun being able to share these wee things!

[@chrisg1234fly]

With old fave TV channels like Discovery and History channel turning into reality TV channels, YT has allowed talent like yours to blossom. Super-Great vid and looking forward to future epics!!!

[@the_classics3140]

Great video Calum. Im from New Zealand and hearing about the mystery mini-trac in New Zealand really fascinates me. Watching this in 2023 and I can't believe that over the two years since you posted this video no one has found the lost mini. I wish I could find it for you.

[@piperpa4272]

Thank you for another video, I am always looking forward to them.

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you Lars!

[@pottasium7117]

loving your antarctic videos. It's a really fascinating subject which you dont see talked about all too often

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you! I’m somewhat obsessed so glad to see others are interested 😂

[@BrassLock]

Your summary of how you _tracked_ down all the historical threads to this story was just as fascinating as the main video; and having a shiny grey Ferguson tractor as your desk top made it all complete in my opinion.

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you! Yeah need to get a video about this Ferguson out one day...

[@sofa-lofa4241]

Another great video! Thanks for putting in the time and effort to research and produce these little gems 💎👍

[@leytonpeterson3497]

Well done Calum, I love your videos, they are well done and I find myself getting intrigued because you are intrigued. Thanks for putting it out there!

[@CoreyKearney]

"Canadian outback", I've never heard an aussie's view of northern Canada

[@CalumRaasay]

Haha though it might be a nice Aussie/Canada parallel 😂

[@garryclelland4481]

Thanks Calum , really enjoyed that , your doing a great thing by putting these together , lovely editing , beautiful diction , thoughtful from beginning to end , thank you .

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you Garry!

[@Reewen]

I love these antarctic vehicle videos. It's always super interesting to see what they kit bashed together to see if it would work in those icy conditions. You also always make them super interesting. Keep up the good work

[@CalumRaasay]

Thanks very much friend I appreciate it! I’d love to make more about different vehicles, especially ships used out there!

[@Reewen]

@@CalumRaasay I'd love to see that :)

[@unedited8204]

I love your studies of some of these random engineering feats, fascinating and great fun! Plus the drawings add a nice touch. Keep these coming please!

[@jeffreym.keilen1095]

I liked all the footage showing M29 and M29C Studebaker Weasels. I had an '85 Mini Mayfair while stationed in Germany in the mid-90's. Totally dug the vid on the Mini-Trac.

[@timothymilam732]

Your full of all kinds of surprisingly interesting things to enlighten everyone with, regardless of wherever they may be across the globe. NE Texas here, and I have found everything you've released to be of interest. Especially the overland train, and the many other vehicles from the Mad Scientist of Longview. I've lived in the state most of my life, definitely sort of a history fanatic. Yet I never remember hearing anything about the man to my knowledge, and I'm not all that far from his location. I'm not particular about whose history it maybe, if it's presented in a comprehensive manner. Even if the narrator has a little accent to his manner of speaking, it is easily understood even with someone whose accent is far different from his, and believe me. My east Texas southern drawl is as far from yours as there can possibly be, but you have a natural easy manner that is pleasant on the ears, and in the addition of always having a interesting topic . I have no difficulty whatsoever in understanding completely what your saying. Thanks once more for a pleasant insightful way to spend a few minutes in a place, and different types of vehicles or whatever, that I'll never have seen are knew of without your curious and knowledgable mind to take myself, and I am sure many others along for the end results of your research.

[@garryhammond7616]

What a brilliant video. Superb narration, a true masterpiece. First time visitor to your work, instant subscriber, thanks.

[@4pickets]

Well done Calum! Thank you so much for preserving these little known dusty corners of technology. Delightful! Keep up the good work.

[@CalumRaasay]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thats for watching!

[@williamgrissom1995]

That was awesome. I loved it. I always love unique vehicles if the were cool in some way and I've always like mini's especially manual transmission versions from back from when I first saw that movie of clip you showed. I saw a remake that had those mini's but with brush bars with lights on them too. The coolest part of both movies were those cars. Second I love tracked vehicles, like snow cats. Not so much tanks, but lighter snow track vehicles. Put the two together makes pure awesomeness. I'm disabled on low income, so I can't afford a mini these days more less a tracked vehicle that would have to be hauled to a place to drive it. But that story hit those two favorite things I like to think about. Great piece of history from around the time just before I was born. I loved your pencil drawing without the color. You should sign it and frame it. Thank you for sharing the video with us. 😎👍

[@lordfrazerirwin990]

Back in the late fifties I was lucky to go to the Royal Festival Hall in London to attend a lecture by Vivian (later Sir) Fuchs on the Trans Antarctic Expedition. One of the highlights was to sit in a Tucker Sno-Cat used in the expedition and another vehicle which may have been a Weasel. Later in life one of my employers had a grey Fergie similar to the ones used to travel to the South Pole. Great video and thank you for sharing it with us all.

[@CalumRaasay]

Thanks for sharing that, what an amazing story the Trans-Antarctic Ex. was and how lucky you were seeing that! Thats a whole video I'd love to make one day.

[@lordfrazerirwin990]

@@CalumRaasay Check out Dutch girl Manon Ossevoort, 38, who drove her Fergie tractor to the South Pole.

[@rotostrokes5856]

Cracking video!...masses of interesting information presented in quick fire delivery, excellent...and can draw like that...and has a fully restored 20 to lean on! 🚜

[@CalumRaasay]

haha a man of many talents!

[@dawnmoriarty9347]

Fascinating. A great era of Antarctic work and of boffins in sheds having the potential to change the world

[@CalumRaasay]

I'd love one of them! Love a good zippo

[@BarbarianGod]

Love these documentaries, hope you make more!

[@amandahugankiss4110]

This is one of my favorite of your films. Cute little thing, isn't it?

[@hugohammond1301]

These random vehicle talks are what this channel should be. Actually amazing hearing you talk about these failed Antarctic vehicles

[@CalumRaasay]

Well luckily It IS what my channel is! It's also the other things I want to make, funnelling your content and interest down one narrow path is boring.

[@harryballzack]

I never heard of these cool lil machines. Thanks for sharing!

[@MrRoomTemperature]

Your series of videos on Antarctic land vehicles are really fantastic. Thank you.

[@CalumRaasay]

Glad you like them!

[@blipboop5594]

Just noticed how many views your antarctic vehicle videos have compared to the others. Hopefully this will follow!

[@CalumRaasay]

Ach I never look at the numbers, the joy comes from the creation of it all :)

[@MrAnderson4509]

Wonderful topic and video, thank you so much for you dedication to detail. I believe saw that little creature in Canada as a young boy transporting equipment with my grandfather, a discussion on price was made, but a deal was not struck- 1969-1972. too bad. he was an a mechanic Sargent 3rd armor, we both loved the design and it would have never left our possession and care. we were quite taken with its design ( at the time the clutch was out lol ) grand father had observed the little vehicle a number of times resting in the same place on our travels.

[@PhilipCockram]

Great job Calum . This was well researched , very informative and professionally presented .

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you Philip! Had a blast making it :)

[@kenibnanak5554]

The missing one is probably covered with cobwebs and sitting forgotten in the corner of a large dank customs warehouse waiting for someone to pay the import tax. My first impression was Mr. Beans snow mobile. LoL, sure enough, a mini Cooper. Love it.

[@jamesmeadows]

Fantastic! I really enjoy watching your videos, they are really informative and engaging! Please keep it up!

[@gafrers]

Your Antarctic videos are fantastic. Quality of the highest level. The Drawing skills too are insane. Thank you for another great interesting and funny video

[@CalumRaasay]

Thanks so much! Love making these, their so much fun to research

[@ArmpitStudios]

Yes, thanks for documenting a really interesting little thingy. Snow vehicles are fascinating. So is that garage you're standing in. I'd love to spend a day snooping through there.

[@Oldbugssy]

Well done! I was interested throughout. Thanks for the education on this.

[@ryanroux5429]

Thanks so much for sharing 👌👍

[@RaasayRaider]

Absolutely fascinating video - beautifully produced & narrated as usual! Very well done for finding this stuff out & sharing it!

[@unitedfools3493]

Love the topic, keep going.

[@CalumRaasay]

I will!

[@charisma-hornum-fries]

You are such a talented documentarian. I love your style and narration and the dedication to smaller details. Keep doing them, I’m hooked.

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you! I will continue!

[@critterjon4061]

If BMC rereleased this I feel like it would actually be super popular

[@MagnetOnlyMotors]

In 1969 I put the sub frames from a 1961 Mini, close together to have a 43” wheel base. Lots of fun. I was 14. 10:05 sooo cute!

[@ianstar7]

Another very interesting video from you... 👍😎 Props for properly crediting your contributors, not everyone does that, it shows you have integrity. Would love to see a video on your little grey Fergie in the future.... Keep doing what you do, keep doing you. 😎👍❤🕊

[@CalumRaasay]

Thank you! Yeah the real credit goes to Iain White on this, he did some amazing work and really I hope that sharing this story I might be able to get him some answers as to what happened to these cool wee machines! But yeah maybe a Ferguson tractor story one day, I've already filmed plenty about it!

[@pencilpauli9442]

What a groovy story! The yellow Canadian Mini-Trac is so cute! I want one! lol

[@emrazum]

You are now officially an Antarctic transportation channel. Can't wait for the Ferguson video

[@CalumRaasay]

Haha no way! It’s tempting to follow what you think is the most successful, but I feel it’s a perfect way to sicken yourself of the subject. I’ll be keeping my videos as random as ever!

[@justinhealey2408]

i sure could use one of those after the ice and snow we received here in Cincinnati, and as of now im a new subscriber Great Stuff man!

[@AirplaneDoctor_]

You are correct about the Canadian one being Bombardier, it is actually a JW67 with a butchered up mini shell directly on the chassis, it’s not related to the actual mini track. The chap who built it did a few with different small car bodies when the original Bombardier bodies rotted out from road salt damage and also a few with just roll cages. Same gent also built a hybrid Ford 8N/Volkswagen tractor using the same method.

[@CalumRaasay]

Oh wow some fresh information! Really appreciate this - a shame that it's not the original Mini-trac but I guess it was a long shot anyway!

[@calvinbass1839]

Excellent. Thank you for sharing. Have a blessed day.

[@CalumRaasay]

Cheers Calvin 👍🏻

[@herzogsbuick]

first video of yours I've seen, and absolutely fantastic. great personality, i love the ending. subscribed and gonna have a poke around, thank you!

[@CalumRaasay]

Awesome, thank you!

[@andysaunders3708]

Great clip. Love your Fergy!!!

[@atheisthumanist1964]

Oh man! I owned 3 mini's when I was much younger, 76 and 79 clubmans and a 69 Cooper. The latter being my dream car. Too bad the one I bought was literally a lemon (it was even painted lemon yellow 😆). My only complaint, living on the prairies of Canada, was the heater. I can't even imagine the heater core they had to use to keep them functional in those temps. And of course now I want one!

[@ragdolltrucking]

I've seen so many oddball tracked vehicles built by farmers in Canada my guess is its probably sitting broken down somewhere and the only people who know about it think it's something that was hacked together as a joke

[@Tarkov.]

The way you say "lowered onto a raft" almost sounds like you said "lured." I wonder what kind of treats you would lure a mini onto a raft with. Since they're Australian I'd guess a VB long neck.

[@CalumRaasay]

I could be lured anywhere with a VB. yeah that’s right come at me Aussies who say it’s awful.

[@624Dudley]

I for one would welcome a video about the Ferguson, given your knack for research. I had both the 9N and 8N Fords in earlier times, and have some knowledge of the history of Ford and Ferguson, but I reckon there’s a lot more to know. Neither tractor was in such good condition as yours, by the way. Looks good!

[@robr135]

Happy I found your channel. This was another great video.

[@GiffysChannel]

They've come a long way, from tracked minis to antigravity flying saucers. Antarctica is truly a fantastical place.

[@AndreaCampaner88]

Hi, Have to tell you, it was very interesting to hear about it! I remember being a kid and seeing those pictures: it's hard to believe that years later I would be watching a KZbin video about it! Thanks, keep up the good work 👍

[@CalumRaasay]

Thanks for sharing! I'm so glad you enjoyed watching.

[@69jbr69]

Great tractor! I have a 1951 TO-30, little torque monsters. You make some great vids. If you have the time please do one on the tractors and other vehicles that used to run drive screws or augers. Genius concept and always wonder why it faded out besides tracks being more universal.

[@covenantor663]

I think there is still a promotional film video on KZbin by the Fordson tractor company. From 1923 it was quite amazing!

[@medea27]

Me: _sees thumbnail of a Mini with tracks_ "OMG, it's a Mini?! On the snow?!! That's insane... how fabulous!!" _CLICK_ Me, an Aussie: _at __1:14_ 🤣"Of _COURSE_ it was an Aussie contraption!!" 🤣 Thanks for bringing this crazy story to a whole new generation of engin-nerds & rev-heads! 👍 Incidentally, two extra benefits to using a Mini chassis is that they were like a Tardis inside (guys over 6' 3" often owned them because they could sit comfortably without hitting their head!) & well balanced (like a go-kart - no body roll!)... they're great little rally/gymkhana cars! 🏁

[@brsrc759]

That is so cool! Excellent documentary my friend

[@dylandepetro4187]

It is rabbit holes such as these that make small channels gain a lot of subscribers and views in a short amount of time. Just subscribed to ya. Hope to see a lot more content like this.

[@SuperTed588]

Lots of hard work has gone into these videos - and they're fanastic. Now that I've learned some things, I'm heading over to your D&D vid next XD!

[@RonnieToo]

I emigrated from Bonnie Scotland to Canada in 1976 and worked for the City of Brampton for several years finding myself transferred to the Ski hill winter 1979 and I drove the Bombardier sidewalk plow to groom the hill after making snow during the night. Those machines were not that stable and often flipped on their sides when plowing sidewalks that was higher than the ground on either side of the tracks. When using the machine the operator had to wear a crash helmet as your head would bounce of the door, roof and front windshield. The City soon replaced those machines and I guess thats why there was one at their ski hill rather than a safer wider tracked machine. Anyway the first few times I drove it on the ski hill it scared the shit out of me as I slowly crept over the brow of the hill the front of the track in the air until the front of the machine suddenly dropped heart in my mouth going over the edge. After driving up and down the hill dragging hoses and snow guns and then grooming the hill it became a lot of fun as I became more confident and experienced operating the machine but always wary about it flipping sideways if I wasn't careful. On flat level ground it would fly as you floored it... no idea how fast as there wasn't any speedometer. lol

[@CalumRaasay]

Really interesting story! Always wanted to dry a little Bombardier to tracked vehicle, I've never actually driven one (aside from diggers obviously) but yeah I imagine stablity must be an issue sometimes!

[@tommissouri4871]

9:15 - I was wondering as my H-reg Mini 1000 wasn't all that warm in winter. 4:50 - Wow, brings back memories. While the early Minis looked a little different, they look almost the same as mine.

[@CalumRaasay]

This whole video is making me want to buy a mini. Really dont need more project cars 😣

[@PanzerMan332]

Volkswagen supplying Beetles for the Antarctic crews reminds me a *lot* of Chevrolet using stock Corvairs to trek across the Darien Gap in Panama. There's plenty of footage of those regular 4-door sedans making it across the jungle and fording rivers with water up to the windows, as if they were always meant to be there. Might be an interesting video there, since I've never seen anyone ever mention these cars or the expedition they were on.

[@CalumRaasay]

Wow, never heard of that story! Going to have to look that up

[@mikamo]

18:55 honestly, it super reminds me of Herge, and I am 1000% here for it.

[@AtlasJotun]

9:45 "...quite successful apart from Minor problems" There, I fixed that quote :D What a fabulous video about a fabulous little machine! I'll take one of those as well as a 4WD, lifted V8-powered Miata on knobby tires.