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This 135 cu. in. limited hydroplane is
owned by Scott Courts of California. It was originally commissioned
Gale
and was built as a 136 class hydroplane for Bob Baxter of Maryland in 1959
by Henry Lauterbach. |
In 1967, Roger D'Eath raced it as PSST!
in the 145 class.
In 1968 he raced it as Bachelor One when he
won the 1968 Orange Bowl Regatta in Miami.
Roger sold it the Huey Long
who campaigned it well into the 1970s.
After it was sold to an unknown owner in
Kentucky, Tom D'Eath recovered it and sold it to me in 1996.
More photos and notes on the hull restoration
are
here.
136 ci Ford Flathead engine. 1937 V8-60
with 1940 crank, Edlebrock heads and intake and Barker V-drive for 2 four
cylinder Wico mags. Rich William did a great job of building the
engine. Rich raced the flatheads with success while many a racer moved
on to the Ford Falcon engines. Both Tom D'Eath and I have engines built
by him. I would recommend him to anyone.
Scott Courts 14 year journey to restore
a 1959 Henry Lauterbach hydroplane ends with his maiden voyage at the Lake
Minden vintage event put on by the California Speedboat Association in
conjuction with the Northern California Outboard Association.
Stuart Ford gives me a few last second
driving tips.
My Darling Lolita being backed
into the water for her first time in since early 1980s.
She runs a 1937 alcohol burning Ford flathead
engine built by Richard Willim.
Me on the left, John Lawrence and Ron
Morrison on the far right.
I had a few slight problems with the carburetor
linkage but all went really well otherwise.
It was a good shake down run.
Oh and yeah, it was a BLAST!
If you know anything of this hydro's history,
please contact me.
© Scott
Courts |
