86242ls

iTrader: (4)

Michael, They look identical lol

84 Formula 272

Well until you measure them or look under the hood!!!! Thats one Bad A$$ Flat Glass!!!!!!

84 Formula 272

Thats got to be about the top pick for a old flat glass Formula!!!!
Hey that could be a new thread!!! LOL

sprink58

Reminds me of my '86

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sprink58

Funny you mention that...

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...la-thread.html

...I love it...a whole new generation of "Flat Glass" Formula fans...I Love it!!

84 Formula 272

Whats the deal with the portholes on the bow I see some old Flat Glass girls with them and some without them? Must have been an option? I wonder what that cost?

84 Formula 272

Thats just about the same page except Steve got a new boat

sprink58

Here is a bit of history for you "Flat Glass" fans. The 302 was introduced in 1979 to compliment the very popular 233 Interceptor and 255 Liberator models. The 233 was the smallest Flat Glass model to get twin Small Blocks and the 255 was the smallest to receive twin Big Blocks. The 255 and 302 Big Blocks were fitted with TRS drives (Bravo Drives didn't come until '88) and both could be optioned up to twin 400/420 Mercruiser Cyclones with Speedmaster TRS Drives. A limited number of 255's ended up with twin 420 horse Cyclones and Speedmaster TRS Drives. Due to BIA insurance restrictions the 255's with this option were shipped with out engines and drives but had transom openings for TRS Drives, The engine/drive packages were shipped separately from Mercury Racing to the selling/installing dealer. The 255 Liberator with this package was reportedly good for 85 MPH and 65 MPH with a pay load of 2000 #. This may have been the fastest of the "Flat Glass" boats. The 255 "Cyclone" package was popular with "Blockade Runners" in Florida because they were light enough to tow with a 1/2 ton pick up and short enough to maneuver in and around remote launching spots in the Keys and Mangrove Islands of SW Florida. The 302 would match up closely to the 35' Flat Deck Cigarettes of the era with out the Cigarette notoriety that screamed "Smuggler". The 255 and 302 models could handle "Big Water" and ran like " Raped Apes" with Cyclone/TRS power.

My fastest (so far) "Flat Glass" was my '86 272 LS that was special ordered with twin Mercruiser 320 EFI engines on Alpha SS drives. It would run 75 MPH with 23" Cleavers turning close to 6000 RPM. The 320 EFI's were marine versions of what Chevy put in the '86 Corvettes and IROC Z/28 Camaros. In my opinion they were under rated and were probably closer to 400 horse.

To me...the "Flat Glass" Formulas represent a milestone of design and represent a period of time when the public was beginning to recognize "Go Fast" offshore boats and was personified by the TV show "Miami Vice".

I like the newer boats but will always have a place in my heart for the classic "Flat Glass" design...it's timeless and looks as good today as it did 35 years ago.

84 Formula 272

Wow really good reading!!! Well done!!

sprink58

They all came with them originally...some guys glass them in during restoration to achieve a special look that appeals to them and whoever talked them into doing it. Personally I think its a waste of time and energy to close them up but thats me.