Cheetah Production years

[#0021 Felix]

I found someone selling a Cheetah in the usual terms: looks good, needs cleaning, no spark. Anyway he provided the vin/serial number as 146677.

Isn't the first digit (left most) the model year last digit? So looking at the vin it is a 1971. ? . But on Curt's vintage site there are no 1971 models. Davids vintage site has articles introducing the Cheetah in 1972.

Is this a rare sled? If not, could it become a rare sled if I replace the engine with the spare 303 Wankel I have?

Otherwise the sled looks very good in the photos. And I believe it is a 72 because the brake light is one peice and the dash matches Brownsleisureworld schematics for 72.

Any comments will be appreciated.

[#0002 Paul W.]

Hi,
1972 was the first model year for the Cheetah.
It came with the Kawasaki 340, 399, or 440 fan cooled twin.
The VIN and the serial number are two different things, and they are not the same number (they don't match each other). The '71 models did not have a VIN.
The first digit of the serial number does tell the model year.
We would need more specific info, or pics, to be able to tell for sure.
Later ....... Paul W.

[#0021 Felix]

Hi Paul,

The seller clarified it is a Puma and most likely a 72. He did not give me the serial number. Link to Ebay below with photos. krellheat==>me.

link to ebay

Felix

[#0021 Felix]

BTW it definitely is a 72 Puma.

felix