This Mint ‘79 Arctic Cat Panther Has Stood The Test of Time!

[@DavidIngalls-n2f]

My first sled was a 1971 Puma 440,my second sled was a 1973 Puma 440 wished I still had them I'm 69 yrs young.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I appreciate you taking the time to comment! Thank you! Those old sleds really were remarkable!

[@robmatte9583]

Back in the 80's when I purchased my first Cat. It was a 72' Panther 399cc which I replaced with a 440. Mine had no issues getting out of it's own way. Stopping on a hill was not an issue and going up hills was awesome. I used mine to break the trails. It loved the fresh powder. I would love to find another one and share that experience of the classic sleds with my children.

[@michaeljohnson7276]

Thanks Rocky for keeping the dream alive! I own a 79 panther as well, almost as mint condition as yours , I bought it at heydays swap about 10 years ago for 700 bucks! 400 original miles , it came from Utah. I snatched it up and we've enjoyed it ever since! Keep gas mixture plenty rich and don't hold throttle wide open for too long and she'll keep those pistons in tact!: :it is a dependable and beautiful looking machine with a nice long seat. Great family sled, and once studded, a great ice fishing machine. Others we've owned. 72 panther440. 72 panther 340. 76 Jag 3000. 80 Pantera 5000. All fan cooled kawasaki early then Suzuki spirit motors. We switched to polaris indys in the 80s but those old cats still bring back memories of me and my dad out in a blizzard, cracklin down the lakes and trails. So fun as a kid. Love your stories, information and vids Rocky Thanks man!

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I appreciate you supporting the channel! Thanks for the comment! These old sleds are still a lot of fun!

[@stics9989]

I love listening to the whine of that hex clutch when you are idling! 17" track is the order of the day!

[@camaro69green31]

If you look at the snaps on the seat sides they should have embossed Cat heads on them.... crazy details for the day, awesome.

[@Larry_longo69]

Love that old sled! One of the coolest in your fleet!

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks Larry!!

[@wesleyblanton2432]

I love all the old Arctic cats. My Best Friends Family had a 75 Lynx 250 that we put 1000’s of miles on in a 2acre field every Winter from 1980- 1985. They also gad a 76 Panther 340 and a 72 Cheetah 440, we were only 10 in 1980 and couldn’t drive the bigger ones. The Cheetah had a very unique sound!

[@camaro69green31]

Love your videos. I'm part of a large AC family as well. My Dad's first Cat was a brand new 1974 Panther 440. It was the king of the hill for sure with all the families that He and we snowmobiled with on the weekends. After Dad bought the Panther there were dozens more in the riding groups the next few years as it was that good compared to all the other machines. Next was a 79 Panter 5000 (basically the same as you have in this video), then the 81 El Tigres came along and the Panthers were for sale. We had 3 81 El Tigre 6000's and 2 84 El Tigre 6000's. Now those were literally untouchable. Such great sledding days for sure.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That's awesome! The El Tigre is a great sled and those are some amazing memories.

[@clintbruderer2278]

@@camaro69green31 I’ve owned 2 84 El Tigre’s they were really fast for their day

[@michaelhoobler7520]

My first sled was a 79 Pantera 5000 twin carb was my first sled I remember when Dad pulled it out the garage the snow was so deep. It was just sink and we had to go around and around and pack it down and stay in the same tracks. Those are some good times. Got all the old pictures to prove it the rest of history as they say bunch of old sleds old parts you name it I got the bug keep up the good work 😊

[@clintbruderer2278]

The Pantera was a step up in power features and comfort .

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks for sharing that story! I appreciate the comment.

[@billreichheld4839]

my first of many cats was this exact sled loved that sled thanks for sharing

[@norm4907]

My uncle had a Panther and Cheetah + a 250 alouette. I drove that alouette day and night non stop, I was maybe 8 or so. We went riding one day and he stoped, waved me over to take the Panther and he took the alouette. You can’t take the smile of a kids face driving that beautiful machine.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That is an awesome story. Thanks for sharing!

[@BLKXJ96]

The 79, 80, 81 Arctic Cats were my favorite years, they had great styling were super dependable and there is no mistaking the sound of that hex-drive clutch. I've got my eyes peeled for an 81 el Tigre' 6000.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

You're right, those years were great for Arctic Cat!

[@xcpilot618]

@@OldSchoolArcticCats I still have a very nice 81 6000 that has not run for probably 20 years. Back in the day I was on the 6000 and my wife rode a 1980 Pantera (electric start). I also hung on to my 1995 ZRT1100. I just can't part with my old Cats.

[@fasterdura1772]

Thanks Rocky!!! You just made my morning🙏🙏. You hit on the dude who still has his kitty cat suit that’s still hanging in my closet. 45 years later I’ve got it still. Arctic Cat is so special to me. You are correct on Cat being a family built company. We can thank Roger Skime for countless hours in a basement crying on his knees reviving Arctic Cat back to life in the early 80’s. I imagine he had help.BUT on another note. I have the exact same sled you’re talking about here. Actually I’ve gone through about 4 of them in past 20 years. One is sitting up in my shop with 384 miles. It’s just a show piece. They only made these in 1978. This was a 1 year coloured model. A 4000 and 5000. Unless someone can correct me because I then would have learnt something today. 😂. Keep these vids coming man. You really know how to put a smile on us older gens. 🚀🚀

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks for the support and watching the channel. That is incredible that you still have your kitty cat suit! Thanks for sharing your comment!

[@jftrottier7376]

I rode on the Panther 74...In my mom's belly. An era when everybody were riding the local trails 4 months per year and meet at local relay. My dad sold it and bought a Jag 3000 1980 and next year a 81. We still have the 80 in our museum,

[@joshgessinger4509]

Hope cat makes it ur support can only help. Thanks Rocky.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks Josh, I appreciate your comments!

[@kevinferger9897]

I had a 1980 trail cat 440. One of the most dependable sleds I've owned. I bought it used. It had a track conversion kit on it that went from a created track to an all rubber track. No more cleats flying. It had a speedo and head temp gauge. It handled better than leaf spring but was a little crude for the first independent suspension sold publicly. Wish I still had it.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I’ve heard they are a great sled! Thanks for watching!

[@Moto-Hobo]

I love waking up to the uploads lol. Awesome content!

[@Moto-Hobo]

Arctic cat is special to me too. Thanks for the knowledge and cool story's!

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks for supporting the channel! I appreciate the comments!

[@Dmo528]

My good buddy's dad was a die heart Arctic Cat guy. Thats how I got into riding. They had a 78 Jag, 77 El Tigre and I believe it was a 73 Lynx. Its sad to see arctic cat go down hill the past 2 decades. Feel like it all went down hill after the F7. They should focus on a economy priced sled, something more simpler and reliable. I currently own a 98 Cougar deluxe, 2003 ZR 900 and two 2014 el tigre 600 I just got last year. Diggin this channel man keep it up!

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I appreciate the comment! Thanks for the support! I have a feeling something good is going to happen for the Arctic Cat brand!

[@gordonliddy9418]

My first sled was an 81 Kawsaki Invader 440 and they were the reason John Deere and cat had engines.

[@joshsmith1339]

I feel the gods have spoken, out of nowhere me and my buddies started getting into leaf spring sleds for beaters and old racers. I happened to come across a old panther 78-79 and I absolutely fell in love . For some reason that bull nose looking front end caught me and I have been on the hunt ever since, I have a 79 enticer and 78 jag 3000 so the panthee is gonne be next for sure

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That is awesome! I am glad you're getting into these older sleds, they are really cool.

[@razer440]

My dad had a 1974 Panther 340 that he had up until 15 years ago. He would get off work at 10 pm and he and a couple buddies would take off when he go home from work and they would be gone until wee hours of the night. I was supposed to be in bed but I would sneak into my parents bedroom and watch him ride down the street unil he was out of my sight.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That’s an awesome story! That is the passion we are all talking about! Thanks for sharing!

[@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

That compartment was for your beer. It was the 70s.

[@mikebot6811]

Our family grew up on cats in the 70's . My dad alway kept a box of extra coils on hand , for what ever reason the went to crap alot. I still own Cats today, its an addiction i cant explain!

[@matthewbegin3462]

I thought that trunk was for your wobbly pops? Great video Rocky

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That is hilarious! 😂 thanks for for the comment.

[@paulsaari3253]

First I rode was 71" Panther 399 jlo It was fast

[@paulsaari3253]

Nothing like listening to an ol" Kitty Kat Scream

[@scottpreble3330]

Ridding old sleds are so fun to ride

[@Dooguy]

I own one! My fathers best friend bought it new. I purchased about 10 years ago, Its mint condition. I seen this one has had a rear storage compartment change. MyPanther has AC scribed into the lid. :)

[@Roadrunner71]

You actually have 4 snowmobile manufacturers left. Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski-Doo and Lynx manufactured in Finland with Ski-Doo components, but Lynx is still its own brand with its own design 🙂

[@nathanwaddle617]

I still have my 1977 Cheetah 5000 with only 1183 miles

[@Pyrohendo]

I really hope arctic cat can survive hope someone can save the company. In order to survive I think they need to build more atv and side by sides to maybe even dirt bikes and enduros to keep them going during summer months

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I agree. Arctic cat needs to pivot to other toys to bring in more revenue. Dirt bikes can’t be that expensive to manufacture.. Thanks for the comment!

[@DavidIngalls-n2f]

My brother had 1970 Puma it had a 399 jlo I think but I do remember they had 3 different hood styles.

[@paulsaari3253]

@@DavidIngalls-n2f 71 Panther 399 had Jlo. I remember, was a bitch to start😆 But I was small and young, very fast sled

[@GarageWorx]

Can we go back to when there were 250 brands of snowmobiles?

[@jonholland581]

All those black and white seats from the '70s were made with PVC to get that pony hair look. It's pretty hard to find those older sleds with the rear light unbroken.

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

The bars on the track are called grouser bars

[@GYPSY400]

I grew up on a 73 panther 340, with 440 swap and gear reduction for towing.

[@robertmclean9737]

First Sled was a 1980 panther 440 great sled for it's time. Bought it to run Coyotes with in WY most fun you could have standing up.

[@phoenixarizona8441]

I grew up riding these old sleds put some studs in the track shell hook up I had a 78 jag 440 she would run with the best of em

[@sebastianlundahl1282]

Nice, i just sold my 77 panther 5000 with electric start last year. It was really fast to be honest. To fast for its suspension. Greets from sweden

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

They are really fast! Thanks for watching the channel!

[@mikebennett9356]

I had the same sled as a kid in Minnesota

[@garrettfriend4772]

Pantera is the best one they made back than we had 2 of them.....

[@TheNappert]

An Arctic Cat had 9 lives, they lost one in 82-83, Im sure they will survive this time too!

[@victorwooldridge745]

You need to find you some old leafers Polaris like the tx s Txl s or centurions

[@sergebrunet4218]

nice snow ! where is that ?

[@clintbruderer2278]

Northern Utah

[@jodyharris4317]

👍👍👊

[@ColtonPeterson-o8q]

Rumor has it there’s a monorail in the fleet!?! Is that true

[@mike2weber535]

You did your homework on the old sleds and times ,although most ride em like they stole em back then too .I would have liked a more varied example shown of that with the panther shown.

[@lorilambie460]

you forgot the wankel powerd cheetah

[@JonahLepischak]

Has this guy ever seen an elan😂

[@HarleyCrane-e3y]

I only ride artic cats

[@enduser1982]

@ArticCat #ArticCat They ought to see this. Nice clip! Merry Christmas from Canada