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28' Thunderbird Formularace boat from the '60's

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28' Thunderbird Formularace boat from the '60's

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Old 12-06-2013, 08:27 PM
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Default 28' Thunderbird Formularace boat from the '60's

What was the boat derived from...an extended 233 or was it a separate mold all together. Having never seen one I don't know.

How were they set up? Was it ever a production boat?
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Old 12-09-2013, 11:02 AM
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I was hoping some of the old school racers would jump in on this...but not yet.
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Old 12-09-2013, 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by sprink58
What was the boat derived from...an extended 233 or was it a separate mold all together. Having never seen one I don't know.

How were they set up? Was it ever a production boat?
Not sure if I understand the question. Are you asking if they extended a 233 into a whole new boat?

Or are you asking if they made any race boats larger than the 233?
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Old 12-09-2013, 08:46 PM
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I'd guess it's wood and done before the 233. I don't recall a 28' Thunderbird or early Formula. The earlier in the 60's the better chance it's wood.. Brownie would know.
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Old 12-09-2013, 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by fastdonzi
I'd guess it's wood and done before the 233. I don't recall a 28' Thunderbird or early Formula. The earlier in the 60's the better chance it's wood.. Brownie would know.
The 233 came out in '62 and was Arronow's first Fiberglass boat. The 28 was campaigned in the mid to late '60's...I think there were a few in the Bahamas 500 races.

The vintage Formula brochures don't go back before the early '70's so no help there.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

I snagged these off of the HORBA site...all from the '60's
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Old 12-09-2013, 10:03 PM
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I am asking if was a completely different boat as in a production boat or were they extended 233's?
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Old 12-10-2013, 03:55 PM
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I don't have my archives handy at the moment, but am pretty sure the 28 was a prototype, and then shortened to become the 233. Both were identical in every dimension, besides length. I'll look around for the article that explains this.

It goes without saying that the 28 should have been a production model. I can well imagine an F-283 Interceptor with a pair of Vortec or LS strokers and Bravos. That'd be special.
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Old 12-10-2013, 05:24 PM
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Two different boats.

Two different molds.
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Old 12-10-2013, 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Top Banana
Two different boats.

Two different molds.
Thank You for that.

OK...I wonder if any of these are around anywhere? Were all of the 28's set up as inboards or were they also I/O's? Are there any pics or specs on the 28 out there that anyone knows of?
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Old 12-11-2013, 11:40 PM
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Default Claudia II was a Formula 276.

Don Aronow had a 27' Formula designed by Peter Gurke for himself that was named Claudia II. Mr. Aronow had he few more made for others to race and called them Formula 276. When he sold Formula he didn't include the mold for the Formula 276. It was sold to Marlin Boat Works in North Carolina and became a sportfisher. My instinct is that you are looking for information on the Donzi 28 and that is the next chapter in Don Aronow's boat racing.

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