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  1. #1
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    Molinari Tunnel Boat History and Information

    I thought I would start this thread because there seems to be very little actual infomation about Molinari's of the 1960's and 1970's. It is surprising actually. Almost everyone who was a racer or into old race boats of this era knows the name and has seen or raced one. It must be the most copied tunnel boat of the era and a standard that folks tried to meet or beat. Since they were made of wood it appears very few have survived.

    So, I was hoping with this thread folks could help piece together the history and different types of hull designs built. Sooo if folks have pictures or information please chime in.

    When did they use this emblem ?? I have never seen one and most boats pictured do not have them.


  2. Thanks Lake X Kid thanked for this post
  3. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Old fiberglass View Post
    I thought I would start this thread because there seems to be very little actual infomation about Molinari's of the 1960's and 1970's. It is surprising actually. Almost everyone who was a racer or into old race boats of this era knows the name and has seen or raced one. It must be the most copied tunnel boat of the era and a standard that folks tried to meet or beat. Since they were made of wood it appears very few have survived.

    So, I was hoping with this thread folks could help piece together the history and different types of hull designs built. Sooo if folks have pictures or information please chime in.

    When did they use this emblem ?? I have never seen one and most boats pictured do not have them.

    Just let me start by saying the Molinari was the number one Tunnel, the best, the one I wanted............

  4. #3
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    Subscribed. This should be a great one !
    God, Country, and Fast Boats
    SPECIAL BOAT TEAM 12/ HSB'S SOC NSWU-1

    _____________________________________________

    Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. And when your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that they weep and pray for more time that they may live there life over in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a Hero going home.

  5. #4
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    There is a book available on Amazon - Nautical Quarterly 1983 book #24 that has a very good section on the Molinari family and their place in boat racing history.

  6. #5
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    This one was restored by Bud Clark in Canada I believe. Don't know much about it, but it sure is pretty. Anyone ever run one with a T1 ??
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails MolinariT1.jpg  

  7. #6
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    HQ in Italy
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails como.jpg  

  8. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Powercat View Post
    There is a book available on Amazon - Nautical Quarterly 1983 book #24 that has a very good section on the Molinari family and their place in boat racing history.
    Is that the one with Angelo holding up a scale half hull model?

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by J. Sherlock View Post
    Just let me start by saying the Molinari was the number one Tunnel, the best, the one I wanted............
    Spot on John, but the question begs ,like the chicken and the egg, Was Molinari a copy of the Torrigia ????? or Vise Versa????
    I loved all my Molinaris [ four] and they were the best in my time.
    My son Mark thinks the Burgess was then the best---but was overtaken by the Seebold.
    Velden was never in the same league.

  10. #9
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    Thanks for starting this thread--- There's nothing more interesting to me on this forum than race boat history! Gary

  11. #10
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    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by olboatman View Post
    Thanks for starting this thread--- There's nothing more interesting to me on this forum than race boat history! Gary
    If this was Facebook I would say "LIKE" for this post

    If interested this is my Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/john.sherlock.14?ref=tn_tnmn
    Last edited by J. Sherlock; 01-25-2013 at 07:15 AM.

  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark75H View Post
    Is that the one with Angelo holding up a scale half hull model?
    Sam, yes that was one of the photos in there..

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by jackie wilson View Post
    Spot on John, but the question begs ,like the chicken and the egg, Was Molinari a copy of the Torrigia ????? or Vise Versa????
    I loved all my Molinaris [ four] and they were the best in my time.
    My son Mark thinks the Burgess was then the best---but was overtaken by the Seebold.
    Velden was never in the same league.
    Jackie since you had some seat time in several. Which one of the blunt nose types did you like the best ??

  14. #13
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    Here is one photo of Billy in a Molinari.
    Mark N
    Last edited by MN4V; 01-25-2013 at 12:47 PM.
    "I'ma motorboatin' sonuvabitch!"

  15. #14
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    Rick, I got this from Roy Ridgell. It has been taped to the top of my toolbox for over 40 years!!


  16. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Old fiberglass View Post
    Jackie since you had some seat time in several. Which one of the blunt nose types did you like the best ??
    Had to be the last one----The not quite 16' sprint that Angelo painted black for me and said it was a taboo colour and he would never ever do another one that colour-----It was the one with the 1000 BP stitched to it's bum.
    Most other drivers including Renato were running 17'--that was until they came up against this combination----they did not know whether it was the boat or the motor and i gave all the top guys a very hard time indeed.
    Didn't own it long enough to swop the weight around, and my only comment was it was a bit "nose happy" in wind and sloppy water.
    The "dream machine" was the 17' i lent to Pruett for Paris in 1970----it was a far superior set up than the long arm chair boat Renato and i raced in Paris. But hey!!!!! don't tell the chief how to fight a war---he KNOWS everything-----you must have met 'em along the road at some time in your life.---------- Upshot of all this was, Pruett ran somewhere upfront in 3rd place until he threw a blade on my best prop, and he was hundreds of pounds heavier than Renato or me, and it was his first time in the boat. Could have been a totally different race from the debacle it turned out to be.
    The first one was the yellow 18' "Sit up and beg" that Glastron copied , and Mercury imported every other one that was made at Torriggia.
    The sprint was ahead of it's time and i'm sure Garbrecht knew this when he shipped it over to the states.
    Somewhere in that D&D [deep and devious] mind of Willabee, lies the secret of what happened to that little black Molinari sprint.
    God!!!!! but i do waffle on don't i,----sorry folks.

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