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.

Not sure about the vin #s but I'm positive 72 was the 1st year the Cheetah was introduced. Also my dad bought a Cheetah back in 72 it came with a 440 Kawasaki for motor. Pretty fast little sled too.

Here are some photos provided by the seller to me.

THE CHEETAH WAS BUILT IN 72,73,74,75,76, AND THIS ONE DEFINETLY IS A 1972. THEY CHANGED THE HOOD AND BELLY PAN FOR 73. BEEN RIDING CATS FOR :cn: :banana: :div20: 35 YEARS AND I'VE OWNED ABOUT 40 OF THEM OVER THE YEARS!!!!

Pics are dark, but that looks like a Puma.

The sled sold--I did not get the winning bid.