Annie's Dodge II is a 7-litre class
hull is owned by David Kancianich of Tacoma, Washington.
The hull was built in Spokane, Washington
by Dr. Ed Johnston about 1968. The hull ran a 426 blown Hemi.
Dr. Johnston was a brain surgeon and was
not allowed to use power tools by his insurance company,
so he used mainly hand tools.
Hydroplanes built by Dr. Ed Johnston:
1st hydro: Annies Olds
2nd hydro: Annies Dodge l (became
Majers Ford - Majers Ford became Quick Delivery)
3rd hydro: Annies Dodge ll
4th hydro: 266 cu in built by Dr. Johnston
along with Bill Sevajian
5th hydro: Merion Bluegrass built
by Ken Kimbrough from Dr. Johnston's plans, later owned by Earl Wham
There was another 7 litre hull built by
the folks from General Machinery in Spokane, WA from the same plans
but didn't run it a lot. |
I did get to talk to Annie Johnston a few
times and she told me that her and the kids would tow the boat behind their
station wagon to the different race sites and Dr. Johnston would fly out
after work on Fridays. They went as far as Miami Marine Stadium and Lake
Tonawanda, New York. Sometimes he would be the race doctor at these events.
Some of the older racers here in the northwest have all told me of an incident
that happened at Dr. Johnston's last race.
The race chairman had notified all the
drivers to stay clear of the start finish or have their drivers status
revoked. Doc Johnston figured that this was his last race anyway, he might
as well have some fun. They say that he went past the official dock real
close and at about 150 mph, washing everyone down with spray.
The Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in
Seattle has a movie about Hydro racing in Region 10 from the 60's and 70's.
Annies
Dodge II is shown racing several different times in that film. Someone
stood on shore at most of the races and got a clip of every boat that went
by. I even found myself racing my brother's 280 at Greenlake in Seattle.
Dr. Johnston drove her for years and sometimes had his good friend Bill
Muncey light up the lake with her.
A photo on the original Annies Dodge
I. |
I am looking for more photos and additional
information.
Visit Annie's Dodge II restoration
webpage.
©2002-2006 David
Kancianich |
