BOATS UNDER RESTORATION:
Restorer Terry Baron reports on the 1961 National
Champion 280, HONEYBEAR: “The bottom is completed, all the original gauges
rebuilt, and owner, Ralph Finley has completed the motor. I have tightened
all the frames and will run the steering cables and start on the top skins”.
When the Jerry Gaspar hull won the Nationals she was driven by Allan Ford
and owned by Norman Morris. It will be great to see this conventional hydro
back in action again.
CHALLENGES:
Thanks to Joe Johnson for answering the Challenge
about the number of existing Rich Hallett built hydroplanes. “John Behrens
of Davenport, IA owns a Rich Hallett built hydro, WHO CARES, A-104. Once
you see a picture of the boat there is no doubt that it really is a Hallett.
Adds Joe, “I was immediately drawn to the boat, as there were connections
with my brother's first boat, and the fact that two Madison residents actually
raced a couple of Halletts. My brother's boat, MISS CLOSE SHAVE II
had the original motor from the Hallett, GERONIMO III, owned by Neal Cahall
& Dickie Cox and driven by Graham Heath (on occasion Marion Cooper
would chauffer).
REPORTS:
Bill John reports: Here is the link to over
250 photos from our recent New Hampshire Vintage Race Boat Regatta. I am
still posting submissions from Kevin Hart and Eric Sojka, so please check
back
later to catch the latest postings/photos.
http://www.vintageraceboatshop.com/NHVintageRegatta2005-Photos.htm
Thanks to Harlan Orrin, race boat historian
for the Boat Racer’s Reunion in California, who sent us a list of 46 boats
built by Joe Mandella. Mandella was one of the very first to develop the
V-Drive, SK-style runabout that is prevalant in today’s flatbottom race
boats. Harlan is compiling a comprehensive history of the Mandella name
and is looking for any info about the boats, who owned or drove them and
any photos or other documentation.
The following is a partial list and includes
the boat’s name, year built, prior/current owner, type engine and class
raced in:
NAUTI GAL II 1938 (Double cockpit.);
WHIMSEY 1944;
SWISS-O-MISS 1946;
PATSY DEEF H 1946 (Regg Schlemmer,Ford, F Serv
Rec.);
BEV III; SLIPPER-E 1950/52(Red Wilson, Dodge
Red Ram ERR);
DONALD DUCK 1949-52 (Paul Terhaggen,ERR);
TINY TIM (Tim Wallace);
SCOOTIN NEWTON (Claire Newton);
VAPOR TRAILS (Darrell Jenkins);
VELDA E (Mandella Bros);
SALLY ANN (Tony Facetta ERR);
MISS SEW-IN-SEW;
MAD DAD (Pop Eldrildge,Dragboat,)
BLUE DAZE 1953 (Art Delscamp);
HUFFER 1954;
HONDO (Laffinghaus);
DONUT (Laffinghaus, 1953 Catalina Winner);
PISANO; PAYOLA;
KINI PO PO (Peterson);
WHIMSEY 1944(Don Ferrara;)
DONALD DUCK 1949-52 (Russ Raymond Chev,ERR);
name unkown 1955 (Harlan Orrin, twin props/rudders).
VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH:
The CALIFORNIA KID, 20-N was the fifth 225
ci hydro that owner Lon Graditi raced under that name. Driven by Denton
Denny and powered by a Tony Cirmelli prepared Studebaker V-8, the 1958,
Rich Hallett built hydro set a 5-mile competition record, a kilo record
of 119.967 mph and captured the 1961 Nationals.
During the 1970’s the hydro ran a Plymouth
engine and competed in the 280 class as 273-E, with veteran Allan Ford
driving. The boat was reportedly last seen on a Santa Rosa, CA. used car
lot. Do any of our readers know what became of this former record holder?
©2005 Bob Silva & Bill John III |
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