hydrokart3

10 Comments

    1. I am the owner of this contraption I have the California title for it under pleasure craft. I posted these pictures 8 years ago looking for some info and forgot about it. I was going through my storage the other day and dug this 8′ fiberglass craft out. I thought I would try digging online again for some info on this thing. I found almost nothing 8 years ago and its about the same now. The only thing I found online was this old post i forgot about with A reply of
      “This old hydro kart is called a “Pantera”, designed by Dolphin
      Engineering for a customer to manufacture, by requesr in
      1964″
      Thank you Louis for your reply its the only info I got to work with. If anybody out there has any information on this thing or who to contact that would be great. It’s 8′ foot long 47” wide powered by a Mcculloch MC75 Im located in central California.

      1. Hey Brett,

        My name is Nick Johnson from southern Wisconsin. I have become extremely knowledgeable with Dolphin hydro karts since my possession of my 1963 Dolphin D-100 2 years ago. The D-100 is one of the first models ever made and was actually built by Greater California Company for a few months in 1963 as a test mold for dolphin before they put it in production. So, it’s been hard for me to restore it since it wasn’t really ever sold in stores. It’s powered by a 63′ MC 45.

        – Your Pantera is very interesting and looks very similar to a D-200
        – the color is Dolphin Sky/Midnight Blue
        – your MC-75 is the original motor set up that was a add up option for $39.95 extra (stock was a MC 9 or a west bend 610)
        – A dolphin Z drive transmission was available for the D-200 $89.95 (Added 800 – 1200 rpm, add longer range and cruising time)

        To my understanding your Pantera (D-200) and the challenger (D-100) have the same 3 Vee non tip chine bottom. Both are the same size. But I think the D-200 was designed more for comfort and cruising (with the z drive equipped). both the D-100 and D-200 are both equal when it comes to racing and speed, both can perform exceptionally well on corning the Salem. The D-200 has more seat room since the back is chopped about 3 inches compared to the D-100. The D-200 also has a 3.5-gallon fuel tank if I’m not mistaken.

        I have gone back and forth with louis Skuce the last 2 years. Such a nice guy. I have over 40 pages of personal handwritten letters from louis on dolphins’ history, lost pictures and original brochures that will never be found online, and tips on restoring the D-100.

        I could go on and on but if you want to email me or even call, I am more than open to discuss further questions.

        You can email me, and I can give you my phone number and louis contact as well

      2. Hey Brett,

        My name is Nick Johnson from southern Wisconsin. I have become extremely knowledgeable with Dolphin hydro karts since my possession of my 1963 Dolphin D-100 2 years ago. The D-100 is one of the first models ever made and was actually built by Greater California Company for a few months in 1963 as a test mold for dolphin before they put it in production. So, it’s been hard for me to restore it since it wasn’t really ever sold in stores. It’s powered by a 63′ MC 45.

        – Your Pantera is very interesting and looks very similar to a D-200
        – the color is Dolphin Sky/Midnight Blue
        – your MC-75 is the original motor set up that was a add up option for $39.95 extra (stock was a MC 9 or a west bend 610)
        – A dolphin Z drive transmission was available for the D-200 $89.95 (Added 800 – 1200 rpm, add longer range and cruising time)

        To my understanding your Pantera (D-200) and the challenger (D-100) have the same 3 Vee non tip chine bottom. Both are the same size. But I think the D-200 was designed more for comfort and cruising (with the z drive equipped). both the D-100 and D-200 are both equal when it comes to racing and speed, both can perform exceptionally well on corning the Salem. The D-200 has more seat room since the back is chopped about 3 inches compared to the D-100. The D-200 also has a 3.5-gallon fuel tank if I’m not mistaken.

        I have gone back and forth with louis Skuce the last 2 years. Such a nice guy. I have over 40 pages of personal handwritten letters from louis on dolphins’ history, lost pictures and original brochures that will never be found online, and tips on restoring the D-100.

        I could go on and on but if you want to email me or even call, I am more than open to discuss further questions.

        You can email me, and I can give you my phone number and louis contact as well

    2. Hey, it’s Brett
      Sorry about the delay
      I still have the craft in the those pictures I posted over a decade ago
      How many of these thing’s do you think are out there?
      I have not found a single picture of it on the Web
      Thank you
      My email is
      whitedevil270@gmail.com
      Shoot me your phone number

  1. Hey Brett,

    My name is Nick Johnson from southern Wisconsin. I have become extremely knowledgeable with Dolphin hydro karts since my possession of my 1963 Dolphin D-100 2 years ago. The D-100 is one of the first models ever made and was actually built by Greater California Company for a few months in 1963 as a test mold for dolphin before they put it in production. So, it’s been hard for me to restore it since it wasn’t really ever sold in stores. It’s powered by a 63′ MC 45.

    – Your Pantera is very interesting and looks very similar to a D-200
    – the color is Dolphin Sky/Midnight Blue
    – your MC-75 is the original motor set up that was a add up option for $39.95 extra (stock was a MC 9 or a west bend 610)
    – A dolphin Z drive transmission was available for the D-200 $89.95 (Added 800 – 1200 rpm, add longer range and cruising time)

    To my understanding your Pantera (D-200) and the challenger (D-100) have the same 3 Vee non tip chine bottom. Both are the same size. But I think the D-200 was designed more for comfort and cruising (with the z drive equipped). both the D-100 and D-200 are both equal when it comes to racing and speed, both can perform exceptionally well on corning the Salem. The D-200 has more seat room since the back is chopped about 3 inches compared to the D-100. The D-200 also has a 3.5-gallon fuel tank if I’m not mistaken.

    I have gone back and forth with louis Skuce the last 2 years. Such a nice guy. I have over 40 pages of personal handwritten letters from louis on dolphins’ history, lost pictures and original brochures that will never be found online, and tips on restoring the D-100.

    I could go on and on but if you want to email me or even call, I am more than open to discuss further questions.

    You can email me, and I can give you my phone number and louis contact as well

    My Email nick@totalhealthinc.com

  2. Hey Brett,

    My name is Nick Johnson from southern Wisconsin. I have become extremely knowledgeable with Dolphin hydro karts since my possession of my 1963 Dolphin D-100 2 years ago. The D-100 is one of the first models ever made and was actually built by Greater California Company for a few months in 1963 as a test mold for dolphin before they put it in production. So, it’s been hard for me to restore it since it wasn’t really ever sold in stores. It’s powered by a 63′ MC 45.

    – Your Pantera is very interesting and looks very similar to a D-200
    – the color is Dolphin Sky/Midnight Blue
    – your MC-75 is the original motor set up that was a add up option for $39.95 extra (stock was a MC 9 or a west bend 610)
    – A dolphin Z drive transmission was available for the D-200 $89.95 (Added 800 – 1200 rpm, add longer range and cruising time)

    To my understanding your Pantera (D-200) and the challenger (D-100) have the same 3 Vee non tip chine bottom. Both are the same size. But I think the D-200 was designed more for comfort and cruising (with the z drive equipped). both the D-100 and D-200 are both equal when it comes to racing and speed, both can perform exceptionally well on corning the Salem. The D-200 has more seat room since the back is chopped about 3 inches compared to the D-100. The D-200 also has a 3.5-gallon fuel tank if I’m not mistaken.

    I have gone back and forth with louis Skuce the last 2 years. Such a nice guy. I have over 40 pages of personal handwritten letters from louis on dolphins’ history, lost pictures and original brochures that will never be found online, and tips on restoring the D-100.

    I could go on and on but if you want to email me or even call, I am more than open to discuss further questions.

    You can email me, and I can give you my phone number and louis contact as well

    My Email nick@totalhealthinc.com

  3. Hey, it’s Brett
    Sorry about the delay
    I still have the craft in the those pictures I posted over a decade ago
    How many of these thing’s do you think are out there?
    I have not found a single picture of it on the Web
    Thank you
    My email is
    whitedevil270@gmail.com
    Shoot me your phone number

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