by Kevin A. Spaise
Photography by Gary Van Der Top
Nov./Dec. 1989
| Bob and Barbara Walters' impeccable 7-liter Hydro restoration
revives a slice of racing History and quickens the pulse. |
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It's always gratifying to see a restoration project fully progress,
with the finished result reinforcing the boat's original appeal. When the
remake effort preserves a slice of hot-boating history- as in the case
of Bob and Barbara Walters' stunning 7-Liter hydro project-it takes on
particular importance. The Walters' four-year foray into racing seasons
past began with an inheritance of sorts. Manager of a marina at which a
long-abandoned 225 Hydro was stored, Walters' ended up with a project boat
which wetted his appetite for something more. And that's where Sunshine
Baby was born or more accurately, reborn. After inquiring nearly everywhere
as to the whereabouts of a potential restoration subject, Walters was directed
to Fair Haven, New Jersey, where circle-racing legend Tom D'Eath maintains
a well- known workshop. D'Eath directed Walters to Toms River, New Jersey,
185 miles away, where a dusty but intact 7-liter was up for grabs. It was
a certified bargain: $3,000.
It was only after Walters bought the boat that he discovered its rich
history. On his way home, Walters again stopped at D'Eath's shop, where
the amiable racer brought him up to date. |
The Lauterbach hull was built in 1959 for Ray Gassner of
St. Petersburg, Florida. It quickly surfaced as a national star: Sunshine
Baby was a world competition record-holder in '61, '62 and '63, and
national-class champion in 1962. It set an incredible speed record of 171
mph at the Salton Sea in California back in 1964.
The boat was, in a sense, the father of the 7-Liter Hydro class the
mark at which others aimed. Gassner raced it regularly in Seattle, Washington,
California and throughout the Eastern Seaboard.
After Gassner became ill in 1969, Tom D'Eath took over the driving
duties and held them for three seasons. These days, D'Eath is best known
for his cockpit time in the world champion unlimited hydro, Miss Budweiser,
which he drove to three new world records and a 151-mph average while defeating
Chip Hanauer in the Circus Circus boat.
Once informed of the boat's heritage, Walters became more motivated
than ever to complete the project. He also became particularly fussy about
remaining faithful to the boat's original specs.
The first step was refinishing the craft's woodwork. Walters did all
the work himself, posting about 200 hours in refinishing the boat's mahogany
deck, sponson tops and birch bottom. He then sandblasted the trailer.
Walters solicited the help of a local sprint-car engine builder, Engine
Machine Supply, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, to bring the 392 Chrysler Hemi back
to life. While researching the specs for the engine, Walters discovered
yet another
milestone - the engine is the only one on which Don Garlits ever worked.
Walters was able to confirm that bit of trivia on a trip to Garlits' Drag
Racing Museum, and even received enthusiastic help from "Big Daddy" in
recreating the engine exactly as it was during its heyday.
The 392 was bored .030 over to 400 cubic inches. The heads were built
by Mondello, and Carillo rods were used. Jahns pistons, Chet Herbert roller
cam and kit, Moroso pan and Hilborn injectors - fortified with eight extra
enrichment nozzles on the manifold are its other components.
Estimated horsepower on the boat is 1,000. While the Lauterbach design
is one of the few in the industry that has remained timeless (Sunshine
Baby could keep pace with today's boats on the straights), its dated
turning abilities would keep it from being competitive in today's field.
Sunshine Baby's stardom was not limited to the race course.
It made appearances on the last two segments of the television series Route
66.
Walters' project spends considerable time in the spotlight during its
second life as well. In four shows, the hydro has drawn rave reviews from
throngs of spectators and four trophies.
Walters, who belongs to the Antique Classic Boat Society of America,
plans to run the boat often once his show sched- ule smooths out. He's
not too concerned about the boat's luster fading. "I built it to capture
part of the past," explained the proud owner, polishing the boat's bright
lettering (done by John Welle, Fastoria, Iowa). "But I also plan on enjoying
it on the water a lot. |
| A world-record setter at over 171-mph,
the wooden Lauterbach 7-litre Hydro was purchased by Walters for $3,000.
Now completely restored to original spec, it's a consistent show winner. |
Cockpits view is of the coventional, front-engine configuration
common to yesteryear's racers. Today's circle hydros are all cabovers,
with the engine in the rear. |
Among the memorablia Walters has collected and shows are the original
props used to set the 171-mph record and Tom D'Eath's driving helmet. |
| The Chrysler 392 Hemi is reportedly the
only boat engine on which land drag-racing legend Don Garlits ever worked.
Hillborn injectors were fortified with eight extra nozzles. |
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