Wild Card E-148

Wild Card E-148


Durward Wilson owned this Farmer hydroplane and campaigned it as Sweet Pea E-148. Above is a picture in racing form at Millville, New Jersey.He bought the boat from a police officer who lived in Maryland, that campaigned the hull as Super Fuzz and he acquired it from Chris Oliver. Durward Wilson changed it to run as a 280 hydroplane putting in the 265 cu in Chevy engine.He also put on a three blade Roberts prop on it. The hull would never turn left. It would go like a bandit straight but you had to make it turn he would be black and blue with bruises around my waist after a weekend of racing. Durwood sold the boat to John Parone, a Navy Captain, who then sold it to Bill Martin. Durward Wilson won Region 4 High Point Championship with it in 1982.

Wild Card E-148 is now the name of this vintage hydroplane.

Frankie Farmer asked Henry Lauterbach to make him a kit of the then current 280 hydro in 1966.Being that they were friends, Henry agreed and delivered a kit to be assembled by Farmer.Shortly after, Farmer began marketing a boat that was very similar to the Lauterbach kit.
Lauterbach vowed to never again sell a kit for the obvious reasons. So Wild Card E-148 is a one of a kind.


This hydro began it's career being built and raced by Frankie Farmer. Next owner was Chris Oliver and he ran the boat as a 225. Next owner was Durwood Wilson and he coverted it and ran it as a 280 under the name SWEAT PEA E-148. Next owner was John Parone SUPER FUZZ E-148 Next owner was Bill Martin and he last ran it as a 5 litre Next owner was Dick Soy.

WILD CARD E-148 has alot of racing under her belt, mostly in the middle atlantic states.Marv and Kevin Hart totally rebuilt the 265 engine and completed major restoration to the hull. Because the Harts' live on an island off Clayton, New York they have lots of water time and practice in "Ole E-148" or it's new name WILD CARD E-148.

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