Glastron Molinari Chapter I

[Hooty]

I went to work for Glastron in the spring of 1964. Hammond hired me to set up a R&D & QC lab.

Sometime in early '65 (I think) this wooden boat appeared in the back lot. It was a tunnel boat supposedly been built in Germany.

It set around in the back lot exposed to the elements for damn near a year 'til Jerry Wilhoit and I talked Hammond into lettin' us rig it and run it.

Wilhoit ran the I/O engine install and rigging department at Glastron in addition to being an excelent wrench, race boat pilot and all 'round good guy.

The boat had no seats, only a bench. Perfect.

Wilhoit and I hooked up one Saturday morning 'bout 0700hrs and went ta work. We had two ragged out counter rotating Merc 100 "test" engines at our disposal so they'd have ta do. Strapped them on, installed two 6 gal. fuel tanks with whose little "tank traps", RideGuide steering and remote controls were held in place with C clamps.

We got it wet late that afternoon. Launched it, cranked it and ran 57mph. Glastron or Bob hammond had never built a boat that fast and it felt like "ridin' on rails".

Wilhoit and I tried to talk Hammond into building one and taking it to Havasu but he thought the Switzers were too fast so it was a nogo.

I left Glastron in the summer of 1967 and one of the last things I did on my way out of town was to drop off that old 17' wooden Molinari at Glastron. The engines were off and there was no more rigging but I had kept it in my car port for better then a year just ta keep it out of the weather.

Hammond went on ta damn near kill hiz own little Orphant Annie eyed self in one of 'um 'cause he didn't believe ole Harold Wilkerson when Harold said "Bob itz goin' ah hundred miles an hour".

c/6
Hooty

[LakeRacer99]

Hooty, cool story! Thanks for sharing, I am ready fro chapt 2!

[T2x]

It sounds like you are mixing up the first SChultz hulls (1965) with the early Molinari's. I was not aware that Glastron had a Schultz, but Molinari's were built in Italy, not Germany. Also, I know for a fact that Glastron had many hulls with duals that went over 57 mph back in '65. Here's my 1965 factory built 16' race hull with twin 100's that ran in the mid 60's with stock lowers and over 70 with SSM's. Jon Culver and a bunch of others ran these hulls and they were dominant at that time.

T2x

[Mark75H]

In 1965 a tunnel hull would have been such new technology I doubt anyone would leave one outside for any reason.

Dieter Schulze was from southern Austria (and I'm sure spoke German as his first language), very close to Italy.

His first boat in the US was built here in mid 1966 and sold to Bud Babbitt who raced it for a year or two at least; would have put the year as 1968 or later

Joe Fielder might have some insight into these events at Glastron

[T2x]

His first boat in the US was built here in mid 1966 and sold to Bud Babbitt who raced it for a year or two at least; would have put the year as 1968 or later


Sorry Sam, I beg to differ. In late 1965, Bob Meyer, a racer who owned Linden Airport in NJ, bought a twin engine Schultz, built in Austria for the '66 season. He also brokered a deal for a single engine hull that was at one race in Nyack, NY that year. I was told later that the single went directly to Aronow in Florida after that race.

T2x

[Mark75H]

It doesn't seem to show up in the magazines of the day or APBA's Propeller house organ, but it wouldn't be the first wild hare (intentional mixed metaphor) that proved out in the end, but you know how suspicious I am of most people's memories.

You would think it would have been a boat to notice, photograph and report.

Brownie seems to say that Schulze built 2 boats specifically for Don

[T2x]

It doesn't seem to show up in the magazines of the day or APBA's Propeller house organ, but it wouldn't be the first wild hare (intentional mixed metaphor) that proved out in the end, but you know how suspicious I am of most people's memories.

You would think it would have been a boat to notice, photograph and report.

Brownie seems to say that Schulze built 2 boats specifically for Don

Interesting..... let me add some more "color" to this. While the single engine hull was seen in our area for only one race, the other boat also was short lived in that Bob retired from racing at about that time as well. He previously had a twin engine Vee Switzer Holiday that he and his son raced in 64 and 65. Like most everybody else around here, the primary motivator for them was the annual Hudson River Marathon in late June each year. They didn't run the tunnels in '66 which was a very rough race and the Schultz's appeared in early July (Nyack). I am wondering if Meyer, a powerful guy in Union County, NJ, may have known Aronow (a well known developer in that same area) from some previous dealings...and maybe both boats are the two that went to Florida. It is odd that they basically disappeared after a very short stint in NJ, especially given how new, unique and revolutionary they were.

T2x

[T2x]

Further, as I recall one of the hulls stuffed in that Nyack race....without much damage or injury and it was said that the rolling ground swell in the Hudson was a condition that the hull could not handle........... Maybe that's why Bob gave it up at that point.

T2x

[T2x]

I just did a google search on the Magnum Missile.........

According to what I can find the "Magnum Missile" came out in January of 1968.... and Aronow had 16' and 19' Schultz plugs (mistakenly remembered as Molinari by his son). In addition the press releases referred to the boats as being "3 year old designs". If you recall the trim, fit and finish on the Missiles was superb..... indicating to me that mold development and interior spec'ing probably took some time (12 + months maybe?). The coincidences here are pretty strong..........

T2x

[Hooty]

Hooty, cool story! Thanks for sharing, I am ready fro chapt 2!

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!

c/6
Hooty

[Hooty]

It sounds like you are mixing up the first SChultz hulls (1965) with the early Molinari's. I was not aware that Glastron had a Schultz, but Molinari's were built in Italy, not Germany. Also, I know for a fact that Glastron had many hulls with duals that went over 57 mph back in '65. Here's my 1965 factory built 16' race hull with twin 100's that ran in the mid 60's with stock lowers and over 70 with SSM's. Jon Culver and a bunch of others ran these hulls and they were dominant at that time.

T2x

Did I say Schultz? Damn, I meant to say Molinari.

After I left, I still hung with the guys in the enginering center (that was that building down the road from tha plant) and yup, that was the boat they pulled the mold off of for the 17' Glastron Molinari.

c/6
Hooty

[Hooty]

In 1965 a tunnel hull would have been such new technology I doubt anyone would leave one outside for any reason.

Dieter Schulze was from southern Austria (and I'm sure spoke German as his first language), very close to Italy.

His first boat in the US was built here in mid 1966 and sold to Bud Babbitt who raced it for a year or two at least; would have put the year as 1968 or later

Joe Fielder might have some insight into these events at Glastron

We thought it criminal that it was left uncovered in tha back lot. That's why it lived in my carport an' my '67 2+2 289-225 GT Mustang lived in tha driveway.

c/6
Hooty

[Li'l Toy]

Your JJ boat sure brings back memories. I had almost forgotten about the pre-tunnel days. If I recall right, there was an era involving these and also twin engined three pointers (4 pointers?) that seemed to have little hull between the driver and those two big ol stackers in the back, and sort of twisted around while idling in the pits.

[Powercat]

That was something I was wondering about, were the Glastron (Carlson)
fiberglass versions built at the Austin plant or at Carlson in California?
When I worked at the Austin plant for that short period in the early
70's there were several of the old twin outboard and I/O Molinairis
sitting in the yard in various states of disrepair. At that time they
were not being made in Austin. But where did they start up?
Danny Leger
Austin, Texas


Did I say Schultz? Damn, I meant to say Molinari.

After I left, I still hung with the guys in the enginering center (that was that building down the road from tha plant) and yup, that was the boat they pulled the mold off of for the 17' Glastron Molinari.

c/6
Hooty

[rnelems]

Hammond felt Art Carlson had more expertise for this,so they were built in CA,starting in 1969.

[jlf56]

Here is what I remember. I was hired in the fall of 68 (I think) after Bob H blew the "twin wood rocker bottom Molly" over and broke his leg. The wooden twin was repaired and sent to Art in Ca and a mold was built. We (Harold & me) received the first glass twin and rigged it. I never drove the wood twin. The first glass twin went to Smith Mountian Lake race where I drove the sides of the sponsons off hitting those rollers at the far end of the lake and it sunk. We retreived it Monday, took it back to Austin and made repairs. We got the first glass single later that year and Gene Piehl was hired to drive it. The picture that was posted of those two boats on lake Travis was posted here some time back. The next wood Molly we got was the 2+2 renato talked Bob H into buying to make a sport run about. We never could make the boat behave. I said it was because Renato took the Record prop home with him. The boat ran great with that prop but NEVER ran well with anything else. In fact two people at different times blew the thig over while testing it. As for the wood single that was used for a plug, it came back to Austin and Renato came over and rigged in our shop for a Miami race. Took every screw from the battons, the ballast tank and lightened it to his specks. Went to the lake, tested it and told us to take it to Miami. He meanwhile was jacking with the 2+2, jumped in the water after a test run, hit the bottom and mess up his neck. We took the boat on to Miami and I drove it. Scotti and I duelled for first place for about 20 laps or so and I blew the thing over heading out into the bay.
Harold & I did a lot of testing nutty stuff after that, three point hydro in reverse, Banana boat and an inboard 21 ft glass Molly. Some how I lived through all that and Havasu '70 crash then Hammond desolved the race team & gave the Red & White lightweight 21 twin to Reggie and sent me packing.

Would do all of it over again !!!!! Wonderful people & wonderful time.

Joe Fielder
T-74 retired

[seeroy]

Sorry Sam, I beg to differ. In late 1965, Bob Meyer, a racer who owned Linden Airport in NJ, bought a twin engine Schultz, built in Austria for the '66 season. He also brokered a deal for a single engine hull that was at one race in Nyack, NY that year. I was told later that the single went directly to Aronow in Florida after that race.

T2x
I wrote the following awhile back at Post #112 of my "Life at Lake X in the 60's" thread. I think the Blue Highlighted area relates directly to what T2x said about the single going directly to Aronow. :cool: - Steve Sirois

What I did during my summer vacation






<HR style="COLOR: #72a5d8" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->Sorry about that, I had to walk the dogs....A piece of advice....when you walk dogs in the dark and then let them back in the house, and then you notice that there is a leaf on the doormat....do not pick it up! It might not be a leaf....and the next time make sure that the dogs leave all of their products out in the grass...not on the doormat. :o Back to a fairly dull story.... The night before the race, and Don has not yet shown up. The next morning I find out he arrived at 3:00am from Europe. He doesn't have a clue about the course or checkpoints. This is a 2 day race. Day 1 is Long Beach to San Diego. Day 2 is San Diego to Long Beach. So we blast off for day 1 heading South. Half way there we come across Bill Wishnick in his "Big Broad Jumper". He has lost an engine and is pulling a monster wake behind him. Don, looking for a little excitement, decides to jump the wake about 2 feet behind Wishnick. I fly across the cockpit like a ragdoll and clobber Don. He looks at me with total disdain but still has no idea where the next checkboat is. However, I do. A couple miles offshore from San Diego is a clump of rockswhere one of the checkboat is to be. I point to the rocks and checkboat but Don just keeps going toward the harbor. Seemed like a good time to get even for his wake jumping antics, so I hit him in the arm as hard as I possibly can and finally get his attention and head him toward the checkboat. Finally we cross the finish line and Don heads for the Hotel and many hours of sleep. Early the next morning I took the boat out to check for leaks and come across an aircraft carrier leaving the port. I ran a couple of circles around it to the amusement of the sailors on deck. Day 2 starts and we head back North. Much to my amusement, Don has a very large bruise on his arm. Odell Lewis and Mel Riggs finished first in the turbine boat and we finish second several minutes later. Odell is idling about 50' out from the finish line dock when Don decides to pull another one of his close-by passes. He goes by Odell at full speed with only inches to spare. If I had stuck my arm out as we went by, I could have shaken hands with Odell....albeit, very quickly. After much SoCal hospitality, food and whiskey at the awards banquet, I headed back to Florida a day or two later. I remember absolutely nothing about the return trip. Dr Bob Magoon was a very close friend of Don. Sometime during that summer, I rode with Bob in the Around Long Island (NY) race. We were doing pretty good until we puked an engine and had to withdraw. I was under the deck calling in to race control on the radio when gas fumes started to get to me. To this day, that was the closest I have ever come to getting "mal de mer" (sea sick). When things finally quieted down back in Miami, Don asked me to rig a small tunnel hull that he had acquired. I had a little time in a Molinari at Lake X, so I took that project on with relish. I finally got the tunnel in the water and ran it around the area some. It crowhopped alot but it ran pretty well. I went back to the dock and got Don. We ran around for awhile and, since this was his first ride in a tunnel, he was thrilled. Also, it was his birthday and he proclaimed this ride to be a great present. He went back into the office and, as I walked by the parts room, I noticed an "elephant ear" prop on the floor. I didn't know who it belonged to...so...I immediately acquired it for Don's birthday boat. WOW! Now it flew like the Molinari had at the Lake. I went into the office and told Don he had to go for another ride. He said he was too busy... so, once again, I hit him as hard as I could and told him he had to go for another ride....which he did. He could not believe how much better it ran and told me to strip the boat immediately so he could pull a mold from it.....which he did. Thus was born the "Magnum Missle". As the summer ended, I went back to school and never again got in a boat with Don Aronow....nor did I want to.....my fist was sore. Years later, I was saddened to hear of his untimely and tragic demise. I don't know what ever became of Knocky House, Jake Trotter, or Jim Bruell. If any of you know, I would be interested in hearing. :cool: :D :) -Steve






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[Mark75H]

Steve, had this boat been rigged before you worked on it? Did it appear to have been a race boat?

[seeroy]

Sam - I don't remember if it had been rigged before, but I don't think it was a race boat because, if I remember correctly, I sat beside Don. I think it was much like the 2 seat Molinari that I had rigged and played with at Lake X. -Steve

[seeroy]

Sam - Now that I have thought about it a little more, I don't think the Aronow boat had been rigged before, because I remember having to figure out where to put the single lever control box. The cockpit was very tight with two seats side by side, so I had to fiberglass the control box to the inside of the right sponson. It was a little awkward because I had to reach under the deck to operate it. On the "Magnum Missle" I think Don might have mounted the box on the underside of the deck with the handle protruding through the surface of the deck. The boat had a square nose and I think the open cockpit could accomodate 4 seats. By the way, I just figured out that the above was during the late Summer of 1967.
As for the boat that I rigged/ran at Lake X.......It had been sitting in the boat shed for quite awhile and since things were kind of slow at the time, I asked if I could play with it. I think I actually painted it black with a yellow arrow on the deck in front of the cockpit. It also was an open cockpit (people boat) with two bucket seats in the front and a 2 person bench seat in the rear.......You asked earlier if the Aronow boat was a race boat...In those days, we raced a lot of boats that were converted from "people boats"....soooo my answer should have been, "in those days, how did one differentiate?" The first time we saw a Molinari at Lake X was in 1964. I will never forget seeing Roy Ridgell heading straight at the Motel from across the lake. We were all standing at the base of the tower and could see straight down the tunnel.....and all the way through to the lower unit....and the water behind it.....Everyone was amazed at how high and stable it ran. Roy then ran that boat in the 1964 Gold Coast Marathon. Afterwards, he told me that he would run up next to one of big block SK boats....hang there for awhile until the guy looked over at him, and then wave at him and blow by the guy. He said the inboard guys would have this incredulous look on their face as this tiny outboard blasted by....Damn, those days were fun!!! :D -Steve

[T2x]

For the record the two Schultz hulls in Nyack had full 2+2 cockpits and looked very much like the later Magnum Missiles.. This was before ANY tunnel boats had single seats and canopies. I think we are talking about the same hulls or, certainly, very similar ones.

T2x

[seeroy]

T2x - I agree that the Aronow boat was very likely one of the Shultz's....and it is entirely possible that the boat I played with at Lake X was also a Schultz....but I am pretty sure that the boat that Roy Ridgell ran at the Lake and GCM in 1964 was a Molinari. It would not suprise me if it was the 1st one in the US. When I said we all watched Roy run straight at us at the Lake, that included Mr. Kiekhaefer. None of us had ever seen anything like it, but I think we all realized that this was a revolutionary concept and the start of something big. -Steve

[T2x]

In the 70's and 80's George Linder and I did some work with Tom Wenstadt, a Mercury engineer in Oshkosh. At that time he had an original 2+2 Molinari in his garage, that he bought, or received???, from the company. According to him it was one of a group of "original Molinari's" that had bounced around in various projects over the years. He didn't use it very much. As I recall it had very wide sponsons as compared to the newer models I drove later on.

T2x

[T2x]

Your JJ boat sure brings back memories.

Maybe we should start a thread on JJ boats........ I have pictures of two of mine...... ( I raced a total of 4 before stepping up to UU).
Does anybody else have any pix?

T2x