NOTES:
Tom Costello from Coloma, MI has sparked our
interest by building a 3/4 scale replica that closely resembles a two-seater
Unlimited. He started designing Miss Rosie about four years ago.
He wanted a boat that had the spirit and appearance of the step hydroplanes
of the 30’s and 40’s. He also wanted a boat that he could use extensively
on our inland lakes and occasionally on Lake Michigan, not just for show.
This required a somewhat deeper V for stability. Although he designed the
boat and built the boat himself, he used a bottom design from a professional
naval architect for a 20 foot long speed runabout. He stretched the design
to 22 feet and added 2 steps. The decking and super structure are all his
own design to resemble the old racers. The entire boat is built of mostly
mahogany. The boat runs in the mid 70’s with a stock 7.4 litre engine and
throws a respectable rooster tail.
Miss Rosie is not a replica of
any boat that ever existed but she represents the spirit of stepped hydros.
This is a design that he has always loved since he was a kid watching My
Sweetie Dora, Gale and Miss Pepsi from the Detroit Yacht
Club dock. After having started construction on this boat he discovered
the existence of the APBA’s Vintage Division. He also later found that
Miss Rosie closely resembles Gale’s Roostertail, the last
stepped hydroplane to compete in the unlimited category in or around 1967.
Tom had thought that his idea of a 3/4 scale unlimited style hydro was
pretty unique until, he saw Morin’s beautiful scale replica of Miss
Pepsi at the Hessel boat. Tom is asking is to be allowed to run Miss
Rosie in fly-bys and exhibitions at Vintage events. He felt he needed
approval for this.
Editor’s Note: In my opinion, this is
very flattering for APBA Vintage that Tom Costello has built a re-creation
of his favorite type boat of the past. I welcome Tom and his Miss Rosie
to participate in our vintage functions. Tom’s boat even though it is new
and has never raced is part of our replica category. We have been approached
by others interested in similar projects. We have given them our blessing.
It is my opinion that building a replica of a boat that is no longer in
existence or a boat of a similar type serves to preserve our racing heritage
and history. This is the ultimate complement to the owners, designers and
builders of such famous boats. Tom Costello raced BU runabout in the 50’s
and has been a lover of racing boats ever since.
VINTAGE RACERS REDISCOVERED:
Donald Maildore from Washington state has located
a 266 cubic inch 1956 Ron Jones conventional hydroplane. This boat was
Howard Gilliam’s Rocky, F-34. Rumor has it that Howard named the
boat Rocky because he was a special agent for the Great Northern Railroad.
Don has obtained the original plans, original bill of sale and the rear
cowling. Painted on the rear cowling is a mountain goat wearing an Indian
headdress, supposedly the logo of the Great Northern Railroad. Don target
is August 1998 for completion of his restoration project. If you have pictures
of Rocky, Don would love to hear from you. His phone number is (425) 776-5833.
FAMOUS TROPHIES OF THE PAST:
Russell C. Marshall Jr of Alpena, MI
enjoyed reading the November issue. He writes to tell us of a trophy that
is probably not so famous, but it holds many memories for his family. They
are still holding an APBA sanctioned race at Sylvan Lake, near Pontiac,
MI. The event is sponsored by the Oakland County Boat Club. His grandfather,
Arthur S. Widrig was a founder. He donated a beautiful silver cup trophy,
which was known as the Widrig Trophy back in the 30’s, and is on display
in their clubhouse to this day.
Editor’s note: Sylvan Lake Regatta presently
runs under the guidance of Vintage member Bill Hickson. In the 50’s, Bill
with his Agitator was a fierce competitor in his 135 cubic inch
hydro class. Trophies such as the Widrig Trophy remind us of our racing
history. We competed for these trophies and not for money.
CHALLENGES:
With our help, Bill Wooding from Wilson, NC
was able to purchase a 1958 Glasspar G-3 completely restored, outboard
raceboat. Bill was able to locate and join the G-3 Owners Assoc. Their
address is c/o Karl Beisel 1965 Fountainbrook Ct. Woodbridge, VA 22192
(703) 490-6649. Email K2Beisel AOL.com.
RACE SITES:
July 3 - 5, Valleyfield,
Quebec
July 9 -12, Detroit, MI:
‘98 Chrysler Jeep Detroit APBA Gold Cup.
July 19, Sylvan Lake,
MI
August 13-16, Clayton, NY: The
Antique Race Boat Regatta ‘98
REPORTS:
APBA National Meeting, San Diego, CA.....Vintage
Updates. We had a good participation from the members and some great suggestions
for further growth. One of our members suggested that we compile a list
of vintage and historic boats, motors and equipment for sale and mail this
list to our vintage members, at least biannually. Our members would be
informed of equipment availability. This list might help us generate some
new members and new restoration projects. We would generate a level playing
field for everyone to know what is available. Presently, we are writing
about boats for sale in the Propeller Vintage column, but they appear for
one month and then are possibly forgotten about, if someone doesn’t acquire
them in that time frame. In order to make this work, we need to have input
from all the members who have equipment for sale. Please send us your cards,
and letters so we can start to compile this list. If you know about an
old raceboat setting some place, investigate it and let us know. This might
not be what you are looking for, but it might fit the tee for someone else.
Suggestion 2: We need a
method to separate replicas of vintage racing boats from actual restored
vintage racing craft. One suggestion is to identify the Vintage replicas.
Right now all vintage members receive our APBA Vintage decal for placement
their boats. We could create a new decal with a VR for the Vintage replica.
Suggestion 3: APBA Vintage Division
in the future consider a “Certificate of Authenticity.” This certificate
would verify that a racing craft had raced in APBA sanctioned events and
was restored into it’s original racing configuration The Owner of
a restored racing craft could apply for their certificate. The problem
is to set up a group of experts who could verify all these facts. Obviously
this review and inspection would have to be conducted by designated APBA
Officials at a specific event or events in a fiscal year.The burden of
proof would have to be on the Owner. We will need some additional input
and discussion before this could be a reality. In our opinion this would
make your restored boat more valuable. We need your input!! Are you for
or against any of these suggestions.
VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH:
T-M Special, US-1-C. Edmund Thompson
of Baltimore, MD who winters in Ft Pierce, FL owns this 1946 Pop Glazier’
C-Racing Runabout. Edmund raced the boat from 1948 thru 1954. He set World
Records, was a National Champion and also won US-1 High Point Championship.
He was inducted in the Gulf Racing Hall of Fame. This boat powered with
a 6 cylinder Studebaker motor was originally owned by Mildred and Franke
Foulke. In 1948, Ed Thompson compiled 16 first place finishes, 1 second
place finish and set 3 World straight-away records. Ed Thompson went on
to win 27 consecutive victories out of 28 appearances in competition. This
is quite an outstanding achievement especially from that era and truly
worthy of being a member of the Gulf Hall of Fame. The photo is the T-M
Special in its restored condition running at Clayton, NY in 1994.
©1998 Tom D'Eath |
