1965 turbine thunderbird

1965 thunderbird · 10-21-2007, 01:07 AM

I just bought the 1965 turbine thunderbird designed and raced by Jim Wynne in 1966. does anybody have any color pictures of the boat so I can restore it to its original racing colors?

Black Tornado · 10-21-2007, 05:00 AM

Well done 1965 thunderbird!
Another piece of Offshore history saved!
I have some b/w photos in 1965 Wynne version and maybe only one in colour. I must to find it in my pics archive!
Do you want to restore it in the original version or you are thinking to make it in the Odell Lewis yellow version as Mona Lou III ?

Marco

1965 thunderbird · 10-21-2007, 11:36 AM

Thank you for your reply black tornado!
I have stripped some of the paint and the original finish is still very nice! They originaly burled the aluminum instead of painting it. I still have the engine cover for the turbine engines but the boat has been repowered with twin 454 LS-6 engines and then the engines where redone to use twin turbo chargers with 6 lbs of boost. It is set up with Arneson surface drives with borg warner v-drives and a velvet drive transmisions. Everything seems to be original except for the engines and some instruments. The person that I got the boat from said it would run in the 65-70 mph range, thats with a old style speedo, it may be faster or slower. The engines are over 500 hp each is what he said. It has trim tabs so the balast tank up front is not needed. Speeking of tanks, the gas tanks are about 400 gals each!

Dude! Sweet! · 10-21-2007, 12:56 PM

Make sure you post plenty of photos of the restoration!

1965 thunderbird · 10-21-2007, 04:08 PM

I have some pictures already and I would post them if I knew how. Do I need to go to a different area on this web site? I am not real good with this computer stuff. I would like to keep everyone up todate on my progress and I would like to attend some classic boat get togethers. Maybe even bring the boat along.
jim

24degrees · 10-21-2007, 10:07 PM

Congrats on the purchase!!!!

Here is another 32 Maritime.......this is the old Mona Lou III. It was turned into a rescue boat.

BTW: I think you need to upgrade your membership to post photos?........

1965 thunderbird · 10-21-2007, 11:31 PM

I upgraded my membership so I will be able to attach photos, is there an area on this web site that is set up to show restoration projects?
jim

ondawater · 10-22-2007, 03:20 AM

Try the historic offshore raceboat website, run by Charlie McCarthy, I'm sure he would like to hear about the resto.

www.historicraceboats.com

Dude! Sweet! · 10-22-2007, 12:58 PM

And right here in this thread would also be a very appropriate place to show us all what you're doing. Great boat! Good luck! Can't wait to see it.

1965 thunderbird · 10-22-2007, 09:01 PM

These pics are kind of dark but they are the best I have got right now. I have more pics. and I will send them in the next reply
jim