1966 Thunderbird Gas Turbine

[David Hartmann]

I wanted to upload some photos so that they are available for all. I know that this boat is awaiting restoration and that the transmissions just now are finding there way back to the current owner.

I hope it is ok with the host.

[David Hartmann]

After the race

[David Hartmann]

I am pretty sure these are photos taken in the Broward ship yard during the development. Not sure where the corvette is. The boat called the Eagle was also powered with the same gas turbines.

[David Hartmann]

More to come

[f_inscreenname]

Been watching that restore for years over on OSO. Seems stuck on engines.

[Craig S]

fascinating...the tool to rotate the boat. And the Caprice.

[Offset]

That is one serious train wreck behind the Corvette.

Cooling looking race boat.

[David Hartmann]

I am curious what the chase boat was

[David Hartmann]

more photos

[Greg Guimond]

A very cool set of photos. Thanks for posting. As you mentioned this 32 footer was designed by Jim Wynne for Merrick Lewis's Maritime Boats. I did not know that Wynne also raced this model. Merrick owned both Thunderbird Boats and Maritime Boats before he bought and added Formula in mid 1964. It would be interesting to know why the Maritime 32 was named "Thunderbird". Jeff Hall on the board may have more info.

Edit: I was wrong, Walt Walters designed the 32' hull, not Jim Wynne. Thanks Jeff.

[Marlin275]

She was a great, great boat, ahead of her time.
I remember her racing in Florida.
Outlawed because she was too good.

http://www.pt6nation.com/en/articles...olourful-past/
The Thunderbird was a 10-metre boat designed by racing-boat champion Jim Wynn. It boasted two ST6 engines and two Chevrolet truck transmissions. On the day of its launch, it clocked 109 km/h. In the February 22, 1966, Sam Griffith Memorial Race, it was one of only two boats out of 31 to complete the challenging circuit. Although it won the race with a time of four hours and 43 minutes, it was denied official recognition because of its “experimental” nature.

[HallJ]

A very cool set of photos. Thanks for posting. As you mentioned this 32 footer was designed by Jim Wynne for Merrick Lewis's Maritime Boats. I did not know that Wynne also raced this model. Merrick owned both Thunderbird Boats and Maritime Boats before he bought and added Formula in mid 1964. It would be interesting to know why the Maritime 32 was named "Thunderbird". Jeff Hall on the board may have more info.

Not sure but Walt designed it, not Jim. Jim would have done things like the rudder and mechanical arrangements. Here's an article from the newspaper up here in Rochester where Walt is from.

Merrick probably wanted to promote his Thunderbird brand.

Jeff

[Greg Guimond]

Not sure but Walt designed it, not Jim. Jim would have done things like the rudder and mechanical arrangements. Here's an article from the newspaper up here in Rochester where Walt is from.

Merrick probably wanted to promote his Thunderbird brand.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff for the correction with the article.

[Greg Guimond]

She was a great, great boat, ahead of her time.
I remember her racing in Florida.
Outlawed because she was too good.

http://www.pt6nation.com/en/articles...olourful-past/
The Thunderbird was a 10-metre boat designed by racing-boat champion Jim Wynn. It boasted two ST6 engines and two Chevrolet truck transmissions. On the day of its launch, it clocked 109 km/h. In the February 22, 1966, Sam Griffith Memorial Race, it was one of only two boats out of 31 to complete the challenging circuit. Although it won the race with a time of four hours and 43 minutes, it was denied official recognition because of its “experimental” nature.

That picture is awesome Marlin, look at the lines on that sumbitch. Keep hoping to run into you on the river. Do you happen to know who is in that picture left to right?

[mattyboy]

about 7:30 the gas turbine appears



some more here in part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zZvSmz4lsc

part 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl_q7oyMK-s