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One of the greatest influencers you never hear of...
HPE Muskin "The Cat"
The Tri-Cat was produced by HPE Muskin in Muskin, PA. It was also rebranded as the Scat Tracker, and sold under JC Penny. A moderator of the oldminibike forum, Havasu Dave, posted this excellent information:
“Recently, I ran across the online curriculum vitae of Mr. Bob Carlisle who served as a draftsman and product researcher at the HPE/Muskin Colton California from 1972 to 1975. Via email, Bob graciously shared some of his experiences and knowledge:
Bob worked on the original fiberglass male plugs for the Dune Cat and Tri-Cat bodies as well as drafting most of the parts for the bikes. This included the El Gato mini cycle with the ACE 100 Hodaka engine. All models were designed and manufactured at the Colton plant. The Muskin part of the company was where all the swimming pools were made. This was in Muskin, PA. However, research and development for the above ground swimming pools, all the filtration units for swimming pools, artificial Christmas trees, etc. was also accomplished by the Engineering staff at the Colton plant.
HPE/Muskin sold the bikes to Sears, Montgomery Ward, JC Pennys, etc where they all had their own trade name put on the bikes…
The Chief Engineer was Mr. John Kunzweiler, the head Structural Design Engineer was Mr. Joe Wall, and the head design Engineer was Mr. Dick Patterson. Mr. Wall and Mr. Patterson can also be seen in some of the background pictures on the brochure.
Some of the last things Bob remembers working on were a 5-port rotary valve for swimming pool filters, a pool sweep design for above ground swimming pools, and a snowmobile. Bob said the snowmobile was a demonstration design and doesn’t think it was ever produced. Bob recalls doing a lot of R&D of the Dune Cats and Tri-Cats. He recalls test riding a Tri –Cat with two McColluch chain saw engines driving each rear wheels with front lever steering brakes. He recalls, “It was wild.”
When Bob left HPE, they gave him an El Gato powered by the Hodaka Ace 100 cc, which he rode for a few years along the base of San Bernardino Mountains. He doesn’t recall who he gave the bike to however. Bob also received a 7’ tall Muskin Christmas tree, which he still uses every year, and figures he’s saved over 40 years of killing real pine trees.”
Second Source: Tri-Cat / Scat Tracker - Mudd-Ox IncMudd-Ox Inc (muddox.net)
1972 CATV-300 "Baby" Scat Cat
1972 CATV-400 CATV-500 Scat Cat Bulldog
1972 CATV-400 CATV-500 Scat Cat Bulldog
1972 CATV-400 CATV-500 Scat Cat Bulldog
1972 CATV-400 CATV-500 Scat Cat Bulldog
1972 CATV-400 CATV-500 Scat Cat Bulldog
1972-74 CATV-500
1972 CATV-400 CATV-500 Scat Cat Bulldog
1972-74 CATV-500
This model was rebranded and sold by Montgomery Ward and CESTAD.
1972-74 CATV-550
1972 Scat Cat CATV-727 Deluxe Baby 72730, 72740, 72750
1972-74 CATV-500
This model was rebranded and sold by Montgomery Ward, CESTAD and ETC.
1972 Scat Cat CATV-727 Deluxe Baby 72730, 72740, 72750
1972 Scat Cat CATV-727 Deluxe Baby 72730, 72740, 72750
1972 Scat Cat CATV-727 Deluxe Baby 72730, 72740, 72750
This Model was rebranded and sold through SEARS as the Mini Scat-Tracker. It later had a redesign of the body shroud to a closed top and slick back look and sold by JCPenney. The next version from there was an open top winged side body that you will find with JCPenney and BIRD.
1973-75 R8501-R8503 Tri-Cat
1972 Scat Cat CATV-727 Deluxe Baby 72730, 72740, 72750
1972 Scat Cat CATV-727 Deluxe Baby 72730, 72740, 72750
This models was rebranded and sold by SEARS as the Scat Tracker for Dune and Trail and JCPenny Called it the Scat Tracker Model 5200.
1973-75 Model#? Bob Cat
1973-75 Model#? Bob Cat
1973-75 Model#? Bob Cat
This model was later distributed under CESTAD as the CS-907 CS-9071A CS-909 CS-9091A Super.
1974 CATV-800 Scat Cat
1973-75 Model#? Bob Cat
1973-75 Model#? Bob Cat
This model was rebranded and sold by Montgomery Ward and CESTAD.