December 2007
by  Bob Silva and Bill John III
BOATS UNDER RESTORATION:
Louisiana’s, Jay Marshall is happy to report that his 280 hydro, TIJUANA TAXI is coming along great. The Hallett conventional is being restored by Scott Liddycoat. The sponsons are now completed and the first coat of epoxy has been applied. A 273 Plymouth engine was crated and shipped to Scott’s shop for installation. Jay is looking forward to running the TIJUANA TAXI in 2008 and would someday like to do some flybys with her in original home waters in California.

Jon Sherin reports that the KANDY KID is in the Miller Custom Boats shop getting a restoration. The surviving runabout held the world’s quarter mile drag record of 84.90 mph set at Hart Memorial Park, Bakersfield, and CA. during the earliest days of drag boat racing. 
 

NOTES:
A Get Well Soon goes out to Ron Sherin who suffered serious injuries following a nasty flip while testing his Crackerbox, WOOD BOX, P-85. I’m sure Ron would appreciate hearing from you, his mailing address is: 7001 Kimberly Lane, Bakersfield CA. 93308 Home phone: 661 – 399 – 7997

Rich Willim’s new book “The V8-60 - Ford’s Little Powerhouse” features a cover photo by Phil Kunz of Willim’s high flying 135 Hallett, SNAFU V, A-96, taken at Newport, KY in 1969. Rich said the boat was destroyed at New Martinsville, W VA in 1977.  A 1948 Hiligas Midget also graces the cover and the V8-60 engine from that racecar now powers the restored Champion hull owned by Bryan Dumias of New Hampshire. 

MilitaryVideos.com offers “Vintage Hydroplane and Boat Racing” a collection of vintage boat racing films preserved on DVD. There are 6 films on this DVD. Some of the many subjects covered are: hydroplane racing in Detroit (1950's), outboard racing in Milwaukee (1950s), small boat racing in Cypress Gardens (1950s), Albany to New York City marathon  (1948 and 1949), Bahamas offshore racing (1960s) and more. They offer a money back guarantee, if you don't like their DVD. We haven’t seen this DVD but would like to hear from any readers who have, and can offer more info on the footage. Details at: www.militaryvideos.com 

Bill De Glopper notes the autumn 2007 issue of “Vintage Boating Life” magazine has a cover story and feature article on the Buffalo Launch Club APBA V&H / ACBS Raceboat Reunion, held Sept 8th on Grand Island, NY.  The publisher, Tom Schley also offers a choice of seven vintage 2008 wall calendars. You can get a sneak preview at: www.vintageboatinglife.com

EVENTS:
Jan. 30- Feb 2         Detroit, MI  APBA Annual Meeting
Jan. 2                        Detroit, MI. APBA Vintage Winter Gathering
Aug. 14-17               Clayton, NY Antique Raceboat Regatta contact:: events@abm.org

   
REPORTS: 
Bill John III is preparing a 2008 APBA V/H event schedule. The list keeps growing and the following is a quick rundown, but note not all the dates are confirmed at this time:
June 1-22, Cambridge, MD; July 4-6 Valleyfield, Quebec; July 11-13 Detroit MI.; August 14-17 Clayton, NY; August 22-24 Celina, OH.; August 29-31 Wheeling, WV. and September 5-6, Buffalo, NY.
 


VINTAGE HOT BOAT OF THE MONTH

John Lawrence ready to take his Lauterbach built 280 hydro, Thrill Me, E-247 out on the Clear Lake course for a flyby run. The September 29, 2007 meet, sponsored by the California Speedboat Association, was the first APBA sanctioned Vintage and Historic event held on California waters. In the background, APBA V/H inspector Bill Walti patrols the situation. (photo by Frank Banducci )

Photo #2 (missing, subscribe to Propeller)
Ralph Finley’s recently restored hydroplane, Honeybear, 116-E, was shown at the Lakeport APBA V/H event. The oldest surviving 280 class National Champion was originally owned by the late Norman Morris and driven by Allan Ford to the 1961 Nationals win. Re-united with the boat 46 years later are :( L-R) Stuart and Ruth Ford (Allan’s son and wife); Mitchell Gaspar (designer/builder’s son) and Wayne Morris (owner’s son). 
 

©2007 Bob Silva & Bill John III