Only the 71 Whisker was a hard tail. Less than 1,500 were made. As their entry level model, they must have been trying to keep the price really low. In they end, it probably just complicated manufacturing and inventory by having to manage production levels and parts for the 2 frames, so they standardized in 72.
Off the subject but..
The 71 Whisker listed for around $225. The Prowler was around $280. Actual sales prices at a dealer for the Whisker and Prowler were about $195/$244 respectively. If you run that through a valuation calculator, that's $1,158 in today's money for the entry model and $1,445 for the Prowler. Arctics were expensive!
Just for fun... The Screamer listed for around $350... $2,080 in today's money.
Off the subject but..
The 71 Whisker listed for around $225. The Prowler was around $280. Actual sales prices at a dealer for the Whisker and Prowler were about $195/$244 respectively. If you run that through a valuation calculator, that's $1,158 in today's money for the entry model and $1,445 for the Prowler. Arctics were expensive!
Just for fun... The Screamer listed for around $350... $2,080 in today's money.