Stinky Gets A New Top Hat And Coat!
As if it was 70 years ago?
One of our latest ebay treasure finds was a this cool set of race hat and old life jacket. Much like she may have had back in the day during her racing days on Lake Jackson. Thanks to Jim Staib for scanning these cool race images.
Scan by Jim Staib, Courtesy of the Vernon Kramer Collection
Helmet and jacket
Well, here they are. I am not sure what the hat does to save much considering top speed is 40 mph. But after being at some races I imagine its in case other boats plow into you. Props hitting the head and so one. Which happens.
The real color!
Stinky does have an area where she had been hit like most small racers of her day. So its all good now and part of her history which is now being brought back for us to enjoy!
Stinky may only do 40 but that race was in the 1950s. By thene Most had modern V-8s usually Cadillacs, and would do twice that. If you look at the aft deck there are extra carb scoops.
If Stinky only does 40, I think she needs an engine upgrade. I vote for a P&W PT6.
There actually were marine versions of the Pratt Whitney PT6. There is a yacht here in the Seattle area with a pair of them. I think they date back to early in the PT6 program,
late ’60’s. They would have been only 500-ish HP then….
Cool finds!
Cool racing togs! This style of helmet is often referred to as a “Cromwell”. My dad said his first helmet was this type, when he began racing cars in the late ’50s.
Cool stuff, thanks for sharing