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There is an enthusiastic movement afoot, intent on preserving the memory of lazy, hazy days outdoors, when people tooled about on a Cushman.  The Cushman was a friendly mode of transportation.  You could actually look around while puttering from place-to-place.  

Cushman is a name for a varied family of small (eight to nine hp) vehicles, that were made in Lincoln, Nebraska until 1965.  

Scooters and more utilitarian models came in a 20 Series and 30 Series, 50 and 60 Series; with names like Airborne, Autoglide, Pacemaker, Highlander, Trailster and a lots of iterations involving the name “eagle.”  

Shaped like anything from a golf-cart to a miniature motorcycle,  a Cushman’s top speed was about 45-55 mph and they were affordable.  So affordable;  that when asked what the average mileage per gallon is, one club rider quipped, “When the tank is empty we fill ‘em up.”

The Cushman Company  also manufactured scooters that could be dropped by parachute behind enemy lines during World War II. The soldier would drop nearby and collect the Cushman for his appointed rounds.

The Minnesota Cushman Club celebrates its 30th anniversary next year.  
 
Chartering the state club, according to historian Joan Swenson, who is married to charter member Don, involved putting together the first club ride in Sturgeon Lake, September 20, 1986.  The meeting organizing the ride was in May 1986-- so either month can legitimately be considered the start of the MN Club.

Now an adult collectible,   Cushmans in primo condition can run several thousand dollars to acquire.  

We met up with state Club members as they gathered in Chisago City,  at Herb and Linda Letourneau’s house;  and everybody was busy re-igniting friendships and trading mechanical tips before the Summer Ride. 

The chuh-chuh-chuh of engines could be heard before you even entered the mowed expanse of the Letourneau’s lawn.

Club members had parked their trailers and off-loaded.  Spotting a few license plates from outside Minnesota,  Linda explained that members are also welcome from states that don’t have their own club-- Wisconsin, New Mexico, South Dakota and Iowa, to name a few.  

The route for last weekend’s ride left the Letourneau’s place and went south to Scandia.  The group ran on a few of the fun backroads,  and crossed the river to Osceola, Wisconsin for box lunch at the millpond park.  All total, the round trip was 70 miles.

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You need a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license to operate a Cushman.  

Yearly dues for the club are $12.  If you are interested and want to get a newsletter every few months or so, send dues to the state secretary/treasurer Elaine Anderson 14137 Elgin Court, Apple Valley, MN 55124 or contact the Letourneaus 257-5529 for club details.











 

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