Allison tunnel

**bridges** · 02-17-2002, 11:26 AM

Here is a shot of an Allison tunnel taken in the early '70's. Needless to say, this is a very rare dude. I only know of one existing today (there may be more). Note the rear wing. There is also an adjustable canard in front between the sponsons, but this shot doesn't show it well.

**Scott Gilmore** · 02-17-2002, 12:01 PM

WOW, cool picture ! I've heard about the Allison tunnel but never seen one, I know they didn't make many. That picture must be really old, there's an El Camino for a tow rig

! Scott

**Kevin from FL®** · 02-17-2002, 12:18 PM

You said it Scott. Great pic.

**woodco** · 02-17-2002, 12:56 PM

That is a really cool hull.. Anyone have any specs and speed
statistics ????????

**Jeff_G** · 02-18-2002, 03:41 PM

The last one I saw was a guy in Miami that was the pit manager of the OPC races in the early to mid 70's. He had a black and white and carried a 1250 BP stacker. He never raced it. Was in great condition and his pride and joy. I would love to find it now. has a strobe light on top of the wing, he called it an anti-collision light! Also said it made finding the boat easier if it sunk! Don't see how as it never saw the water.

**PARKER RABE** · 02-18-2002, 05:18 PM

MIKE MULLINS HAS ONE OF THOSE !!! HIS IS RED AND WHITE , HE HAS NO MOTOR ON IT , I DONT EVEN THINK ITS EVER BEEN IN THE WATER , HES GOT A BP FOR IT ...

**Big Gun** · 02-18-2002, 05:28 PM

Parker that is the new Mirage it just looks like a old boat.

**Fl Boy in ILL** · 02-18-2002, 05:32 PM

Was this boat a full tunnel? Or was this the birth of what is now the Mod V boats?

Rick

**patchesII** · 02-18-2002, 07:02 PM

how much that thing resembles a modern allison drag hull from a side view.

**yellowallison** · 02-18-2002, 09:33 PM

Have you started your diet yet...?? Your first SS race is soon and your not going to make weight!!! If not your gonna have another year of losing to a Allison.......

**bridges** · 02-18-2002, 11:11 PM

It was a full tunnel. The photo was taken at Blue Springs Bay on Lake Barkley in KY by Vernon Hudson. I think I have a shot of it running but I am not sure.

The first "mod VP" I ever saw was a Seebold Eagle in the early 80's although they probably existed before then. Someone here knows.

**jesel** · 02-19-2002, 04:34 AM

SLEEKCRAFTs ran big blocks with superchargers for their jet drag boats. With the same basic design .In the 70's

**BarryStrawn** · 02-19-2002, 10:52 AM

Darris Allison filed a patent in 1975 for a tunnel boat with center sponson. Not a pickle fork or with a canard like the picture. I can email or post a copy if anyone is interested. There is also a 1964 patent by Canazzi. Can post it also.

**bridges** · 02-19-2002, 07:43 PM

They first started running Mod V at the St. Louis Races in 1980. Joe Burgess dominated in a 20' Allison with 2 Merc Formula 2's.

Mod VP (standard production V-hull at least 17'9")was begun there in 1981. I do not know what year Seebold started producing the Eagle, which many at the time did not consider a true V-hull---which it is not.