1965 turbine thunderbird

[1965 thunderbird]

Does anybody know Billy Martin? He bought the boat from Mr K. and re engined it and then Mike bought it from Billy and re engined it again with what it has now. Billy Martin worked for Mr K also.
Thanks
jim

[blacklabmarine]

Amazing find. I'm so jealous I could spit - congrats, Jim.

Pictures, pictures and more pictures, please.

Old, new, restoration, inside, outside, cockpit, engine compartment - pictures.

So as not to hijack this thread I'm going to start a new one for any other info on aluminum offshores - I've been interested for years but had no source for info until Jim sent me here...Thank you.

Jay Perrotta
President
Black Lab Plate Alloy Boats

[1965 thunderbird]

I was wondering if anybody knows how many 32 ft maritimes wwere built? The serial # on mine indicates that it was the fourth one built. Were any of the others built with these huge gas tanks like mine (300+ gallons a side)?
jim

[Black Tornado]

Originally Posted by 1965 thunderbird

I was wondering if anybody knows how many 32 ft maritimes wwere built? The serial # on mine indicates that it was the fourth one built. Were any of the others built with these huge gas tanks like mine (300+ gallons a side)?
jim

Jim,I know that were at least four Maritime 32' built for the competitions: in 1965-66 two for Wynne, one with the turbines P&W named Thunderbird with the race number #15 and no coloured (what yours should be) and one with a pair of Ford Daytona and called Maritime with the race number #15 and no coloured that became for Wishnick in 1966 with two Daytonas and named Big Broad Jumper with the race number #23 and coloured in white.
In the 1967 Kiekhaefer purchased the 32' of Wynne. That one remained with the turbines and it was renamed Mona Lou II had the race number #70 and it was painted of yellow on the sides and on deck.
Another new? 32' was powered with two MerCruisers, named Mona Lou III, with the race number #49 and also it repainted of yellow in the sides and deck.
Both the boats were driven from Odell Lewis in 1967.
In 1968 only the Mona Lou III was drove by Odell Lewis and Mel Riggs.
The 32' of Wishnick in 1967 was equipped with two Holman & Moody-Ford and it was colored of bronze, maintaining the #23.
In 1968 Wishnick renamed it Boss O'Nova.
Always in 1967 appeared a Maritime in aluminum of 31'(or was a 32'?): it was the Momma Maritime of Merrik Lewis powered with a pair of H&M-Ford. It had the gold painted on the sides and the race number #250. In 1970 the boat was modified in colours and equipped with a new windshield and race number #5.
Merrik Lewis and the Italian Cosentino drove it in two races in 1970.
Then other boats were built in aluminum by the Maritime.
A 20' in the 1965, one or two 25' in 1967, a 24' in 1968.

[Black Tornado]

Here the photos;
1)1965 the first Maritime 32' designed and drove by Jim Wynne and powered with a couple of Daytona turbocharged and v-drive units.
2) The second 32' in 1966,with two P&W turbines and v-drives units and named Thunderbird for Wynne in 1966.
3) The third 32',Big Broad Jumper with two H&M Ford turbocharged and v-drives in 1966 for Wishnick.

[Black Tornado]

1967,Team Mercury,the former boats of Wynne now for Odell Lewis;
1) the Big Broad Jumper with the Mona Lou II at the start of the Long Beach to San Francisco race.
2) the Mona Lou II former Thunderbird.
3) the Mona Lou III powered now with a pair of Mercruiser with stern drives. Odell Lewis alternate to drive the two boats during the US Natinal Championship season in 1967.

[Black Tornado]

Here the fourth 32',the Momma Maritime of Merrik Lewis arrive at Freeport for Cosentino
in the 1070's edition of the Bahamas 500.

[1965 thunderbird]

Marco
Thanks for the pictures! Would there be a possibility of getting some quality reproductions or some originals of this boat and any other Maritime that was raced? I would like to get some real detailed history of these boats. As far as I can tell there were only 4 made for offshore racing. I would be willing to pay any expenses and shipping. I have no original pictures or good reproductions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
jim

[1965 thunderbird]

Notice the different colors. Bare aluminum is the original finish, then there is the remenants of yellow from Mona Lou 11 , then the blue from Billy Martins Hustler, then the black from the Ocean Strider.

[1965 thunderbird]

The original engine cover for the turbine is sitting on top of the cabin. The tires on the trailer are 14 ply and inflate to 115 psi! Pulls good.