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Thread: 1965 Formula By Thunderbird

  1. #1
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    1965 Formula By Thunderbird

    Just purchased this '65 Formula here in Norhern California. Very interested in getting in touch with owners of these boats around the same year.
    Trying to figure out how many was made and such.

    Thanks / Hank
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
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    Looks very nice and original. Love the colors. Did the old car come with it?

    There are a few Formula Jr owners on the board including this guy:
    http://www.donzi.net/forums/showthread.php?t=65952

  3. #3
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    Thumbs up Another Formula Jr !

    WoW !
    Two Formula Jr popped-up on this forum in the very same week.

    Do a web forum search here above for more great information on your "Formula Jr" .
    Use "Formula Jr" on the above search function.
    There are several owners of these great boats who have posted much history & information here about the Formula Jr built by Thunderbird in the past.

    Great Boat ~
    The Thunderbird "Formula Jr' is the cousin to the great Donzi 16 & 18 "Classics".
    Please tell us more about it's past history.
    Do you have any more photos of it's engine & interior?
    How long have you owned ths great little speedboat ?
    Is that your great old car sitting outside at the curb ?
    Last edited by silverghost; 08-19-2011 at 10:05 PM.
    "BENCHSEAT 18" ~~YellowJacket~~ project owner~
    1929 Chris~Craft 28' Tripple Cockpit Mahogany Speedboat / A-120-A 845 Cu.In. 375 H.P. Chris~Craft V-8 racing engine.
    24' American Skier
    Super Eagle 454 HO Skiboat
    1991 454 SS Chevy Super Sport Pick-up for towing my "Toys".

    There is no such thing as going too fast ~ ~~
    OR~ Being too old~ for a new "Toy"!

    Brad Hunter
    Huntingdon Valley Pa (Just outside Philly)~
    Ocean City NJ
    silverghost1926@msn.com
    215 947 4676 (PA Home)

  4. #4
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    Formula Jr

    Hi! Well, yes it is our '59 Ford sitting at the curb..Just a daily driver.

    I will post more pics of the engine and interior here shortly. Just picked it up the other day. Will clean it up today, rebuild the carb, replace hard dry fuel lines and such. Hope to launch it within a few weeks. It has been sitting for over 2 years now... It has a Ford V8 260cui engine with a aluminum Shelby intake, 4 barrel carb. Hopefully we'll start her up later this week!!
    Last edited by Hollywood Hank; 08-08-2011 at 12:13 PM. Reason: more info

  5. #5
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    Cleaned it up a little today, and here's some pics. To me it appears it is all stock, except from some of the gauges and the driver seat.
    I am told it is a Ford 260cui but has not checked any numbers yet!
    Attached Images Attached Images
    • File Type: jpg 1.jpg (405.0 KB, 117 views)

  6. #6
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    Auto Mufflers ?

    Is that a pair of automotive style exhaust mufflers ?
    If so~
    They won't last very long.

    Never saw anything like them on a boat in my 50+ years of boating.
    "BENCHSEAT 18" ~~YellowJacket~~ project owner~
    1929 Chris~Craft 28' Tripple Cockpit Mahogany Speedboat / A-120-A 845 Cu.In. 375 H.P. Chris~Craft V-8 racing engine.
    24' American Skier
    Super Eagle 454 HO Skiboat
    1991 454 SS Chevy Super Sport Pick-up for towing my "Toys".

    There is no such thing as going too fast ~ ~~
    OR~ Being too old~ for a new "Toy"!

    Brad Hunter
    Huntingdon Valley Pa (Just outside Philly)~
    Ocean City NJ
    silverghost1926@msn.com
    215 947 4676 (PA Home)

  7. #7
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    Wow! What a gorgeous boat. I'd love to redo that interior- is that the correct frame for the seat or is it out of a later skisporter?

  8. #8
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    Mufflers

    They could very well be marine mufflers. I saw a set like these as a factory option (with Chris Craft stamped into them) on a 1965 Chris Craft Supersport once.

  9. #9
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    seat

    I do not know, they where in it when we bought it. Seems to be a modern seat. We will re-upholster the whole interior when winter comes, as well as restore the trailer!

    Quote Originally Posted by h20loo View Post
    Wow! What a gorgeous boat. I'd love to redo that interior- is that the correct frame for the seat or is it out of a later skisporter?

  10. #10
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    Engine

    Just got her running!! New tires on the trailer tomorrow, then hoepfully launch time this weekend

  11. #11
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    Launch time!

    So yesterday we launched the boat for the first time in the bay area. Went up the Mare Island straight up into the Napa River.
    Took it easy just to "try everything out"
    Coasted at 25-30 mph and it all seemed good. When we let go of the steering wheel, she veered heavily to the right all the time. Don't know if that is something adjustable or not, but will look into it.

    Spent almost 3/4 of a tank of gas and had lotsa fun.

  12. #12
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    Congratulations! You might want to try to adjust the trim compensator at the back of the cavitation plate to try to get some of the steering problem resolved. I also noticed that you are running a right hand prop - most boats with the driver on the left do better with left hand props to help compensate for the primary weight of the driver, but if you always have passengers this would not be as much of an issue. What a great looking boat from the past - Bill

    1971 Donzi 18' 2+3
    1985 Eliminator 23' Daytona Offshore - Kevlar hull
    1988 23' Donzi CC F-23 with 250HP EFI Mercury OB
    1989 28' Team Warlock Offshore - single 548CID/600HP
    1990 23' Warlock Offshore - single 525HP
    Bill from Denison, TX - Lake Texoma

  13. #13
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    Running

    Hey man and thanks for the info. I'm new to the boating life, but are trying to learn and listen.
    I'll check that out today and hopefully it'll be better next time.

    Appreciate it / Hank

    Quote Originally Posted by Conquistador_del_mar View Post
    Congratulations! You might want to try to adjust the trim compensator at the back of the cavitation plate to try to get some of the steering problem resolved. I also noticed that you are running a right hand prop - most boats with the driver on the left do better with left hand props to help compensate for the primary weight of the driver, but if you always have passengers this would not be as much of an issue. What a great looking boat from the past - Bill

  14. #14
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    the outdrive

    It seems there's way to many play in the steering. Really hard to manover at low speeds.
    Is there anyone that can give some tips about what to do, or if there is a drawing or something that i can look at before taking this apart??

  15. #15
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    ----Hank,,,Looking at your pics the steering "compensator isnt even on your drive. At least, I cant see it........Bill S

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