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Arno XI - the Ferrari-Engined Hydroplane (Monaco AuctionResults)

posted Tue, 05/22/2012 - 8:00pm in Thunderboats Museum Feed

Some of you, including myself, have been anxiously awaiting the results of the recent auction in Monaco where the ARNO XI, the Ferrari-powered Hydroplane was offered.

Looking briefly at the results, this famous hydroplane sold for approx $1.1 million, slightly more than the low estimate. Some thought the boat might bring as much as $2 million. Some think the price realized might have been as much for the supercharged 375 V12 engine engine alone. I'm sure we'll learn more about this sale in due course.

Rolls-Royce Merlin

posted Thu, 05/17/2012 - 12:00am in Thunderboats Museum Feed

A brief overview of the Rolls-Royce Merlin in Unlimited racing.

By Fred Farley - Unlimited Hydroplane Historian

The first boat to show up at a race with a Merlin was the MISS WINDSOR, a home-built (by Lorne Armstrong) step hydroplane that attended the 1946 Gold Cup at Detroit but failed to start. MISS WINDSOR only started in one heat of competition. This was at the 1948 Maple Leaf Trophy in Windsor, Ontario, where it failed to finish.

Life Is A Circus Circus

posted Sun, 04/15/2012 - 12:29am in Thunderboats Museum Feed

Bob Steil, former owner of the Squire Shop hydroplanes, has just acquiring the 1979 U-31 Miss Circus Circus from the Dave Bartush collection in Detroit. The hull is a duplicate of the 1979 U-2 Squire Shop, with both being designed by Dave Knowlen and built by Norm Berg. The U-2 demolished in a test run in late-season 1981. Bob Steil then bought the former Miss Circus Circus as a replacement. The "new" U-2 was itself badly damaged at the 1981 UIM World Championship Race in Acapulco, Mexico.

Life Is A Circus Circus

posted Sun, 04/15/2012 - 12:29am in Thunderboats Museum Feed

Bob Steil, former owner of the Squire Shop hydroplanes, has just acquiring the 1979 U-31 Miss Circus Circus from the Dave Bartush collection in Detroit. The hull is a duplicate of the 1979 U-2 Squire Shop, with both being designed by Dave Knowlen and built by Norm Berg. The U-2 demolished in a test run in late-season 1981. Bob Steil then bought the former Miss Circus Circus as a replacement. The "new" U-2 was itself badly damaged at the 1981 UIM World Championship Race in Acapulco, Mexico.

Norm Berg Builds a Pair

posted Sun, 04/15/2012 - 12:29am in Thunderboats Museum Feed

By Bill Curry
Reprinted from the 1979 Spirit of Detroit program

When today's Spirit of Detroit Regatta is history the unlimited hydroplane sitting in the winner's circle may well be a product of Norm Berg's Tacoma, Washington boat shop. You see, the 37-year-old Berg is the builder of Bill Muncey's 1978 national champion Atlas Van Lines, winner of the last two Detroit River go-arounds. Norm Berg is also the builder of two other top-flight contenders - Circus Circus and The Squire Shop. Both came out of Berg's shop this spring.

Norm Berg Builds a Pair

posted Sun, 04/15/2012 - 12:29am in Thunderboats Museum Feed

By Bill Curry
Reprinted from the 1979 Spirit of Detroit program

When today's Spirit of Detroit Regatta is history the unlimited hydroplane sitting in the winner's circle may well be a product of Norm Berg's Tacoma, Washington boat shop. You see, the 37-year-old Berg is the builder of Bill Muncey's 1978 national champion Atlas Van Lines, winner of the last two Detroit River go-arounds. Norm Berg is also the builder of two other top-flight contenders - Circus Circus and The Squire Shop. Both came out of Berg's shop this spring.

The Pak Is Back - Really!

posted Sun, 04/15/2012 - 12:29am in Thunderboats Museum Feed

One of the sport's winningest, most important boats arrives back in Seattle this week.  Dr, Ken Muscatel purchased the 1973 Pay 'N Pak (Atlas Van Lines, Miss Madison) from the Dave Bartush collection in Detroit. The famous hull make a brief appearance before being moved Ken's Burien shop today. Ken's plans are to restore the boat to its original Pay 'N Pak livery.

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